Logistics of biking 9833 miles in 409 days

Re:Logistics of biking 9833 miles in 409 days by dvzk on Monday November 14, 2022 @06:54PM (#33603192)

How feasible are tubeless setups on long tours? I'm curious. Anyone who MTBs knows about the dramatic improvement. In just the past year I would have had 50+ flats using tubes. I'm positive because I pull out thorns by the dozen. None require patching since the sealant fills the submillimeter holes immediately.

Being able to locally resupply with a compatible sealant is the main impediment. 4-8oz spare fluid in a packed bottle covers one refill. How often do you need to replenish sealant on wheels being used all day every day in mixed weather?

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Re:Logistics of biking 9833 miles in 409 days by t0ps0il on Monday November 14, 2022 @08:11PM (#33603906)

> How feasible are tubeless setups on long tours?

Very in my opinion, but I'm coming from a bike packers perspective.

Start the route tubeless and run it until it fails. When that happens throw a spare tube (that you should be carrying anyways) in it. If that goes flat, patch it.

Converting back to tubes is easy: take the value stem out -> put in tube. Yes, it's messier but it's not like you're showering regularly anyways.

> Being able to locally resupply with a compatible sealant is the main impediment

I would think that tubeless setup + plugs with spare tubes + a patch kit would get you far enough for this to not be a major issue. Carrying a small bottle of sealant would help. Worst case, you run tubes the rest of the trip.

Note: These are just my thoughts as a (formerly) sponsored bike packer.

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