Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless Tires: Which Are the Best?

Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless tires on my arm.

Cyclists Hub is supported by its readers. We may receive a commission if you buy products using our links.
Green CheckmarkAll content on Cyclists Hub is written by humans, not robots. Learn More

This article compares clincher, tubular, and (clincher) tubeless-ready tires. It explains their advantages and disadvantages and discusses things to consider before buying them.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Clincher tires are the most popular because of their ease of installation (tire + tube) and affordability.
Tubeless tires are getting more popular thanks to their higher riding comfort, but they require more complicated installation and maintenance. They are also more expensive than clinchers.
Tubular tires are mostly used among pros because they are prone to punctures and have low rolling resistance. However, they are becoming obsolete among amateurs because of more complicated installation.

Continue reading for more info.

Road bike wheels use one of the following three types of tires:

  1. Clincher
  2. Tubular
  3. or Clincher (tubeless-ready)
Illustration of different types of wheel profiles (clincher vs. tubular vs. tubeless)
Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless Tires

The following table summarizes the most important pros & cons of these tire/rim types.

Wheel/TireProsCons
Clincher• Easy to replace
• Easy to repair
• More prone to puncture
• Heavier than tubular or tubeless
Tubular• Allows very low and high tire pressure
• Less prone to puncture
• Lightweight
• Difficult to replace
• Difficult to repair
• More expensive than clincher
Tubeless• Allows lower tire pressure
• Self-repairing capability (sealant
fills out small holes, quality sealant required)
• Tricky installation without an air compressor
• Difficult to replace
• Difficult to repair
• More expensive than clincher
Pros & cons of clincher, tubular, and tubeless wheels/tires
Sources: cyclistshub.com, theproscloset.com, cyclingtips.com

I recommend clincher or (clincher) tubeless for beginners and advanced riders. Tubular wheels are suitable for pros or experienced riders.

Learn why below.

Clincher

Clincher tires are the most widespread type of tires. Their name is derived from their shape. They have a ‘clinch’ that hooks into the rim bed.

Clincher tires require inner tubes, which support the tire. The inner tubes are mostly made of rubber or latex.

Tufo Calibra 25mm clincher tire with a tube inside
An example of a clincher tire (Tufo Calibra 25mm)

Unlike tubeless-ready clincher or tubular tires, the inner tube holds the pressurized air. If you puncture it, you have to patch or replace the inner tube. Depending on the severity of the puncture, you may also have to replace the tire.

Replacing the inner tube or tire is the easiest of all tire types. Together with their affordability, these are the reasons for their popularity.

However, the more durable (puncture-resistant), the more difficult it is to get them onto the rims.

The main disadvantage of clincher tires is that they require relatively high pressures, so they are not as comfortable as tubeless-ready or tubular tires. High pressures also make them more prone to puncture.

Tubeless Tires

Tubeless tires (also called clincher tubeless-ready) are an improved version of clincher tires.

The main difference between clincher and tubeless-ready (TR) tires is that TR-ready tires don’t require inner tubes.

Instead, they use liquid sealant that fills out gaps and possible leaks.

Tufo Comtura 4TR 28mm tire.
An example of a tubeless tire (Tufo Comtura 4TR 28mm)

Thanks to this sealant, tubeless tires have a self-repairing ability. In theory, if you get a puncture, the sealant fills it and allows you to continue riding.

Of course, this depends on how severe the puncture is. If you ride over a nail and remove it, the sealant won’t help. In my experience, you have to invest in quality sealant that can only fill out small holes.

The most significant advantage of tubeless tires is their high comfort and puncture resistance. This is because of lower tire pressure. This difference is around 20 PSI on road bike tires.

How big is this difference in comfort? Well, it’s not bigger than switching from 25mm to 28mm tires on a road bike.

On the other hand, seating tubeless tires can be tricky. You may need additional accessories, such as tire sealant, tubeless rim tape, an air compressor, or a specialized pump for tubeless tires.

PRO TIP: I have the best experience with an air compressor. Just make sure to remove the Presta valve core. You will allow more airflow, which makes seating TL tires easier.

The biggest downside of tubeless wheels is their higher price and weight than tubular wheels.

A WORD ABOUT HOOKLESS TIRES
If you use hookless rims (popular on ZIPP wheels), double-check their tire compatibility with the tires you want to use. Otherwise, you risk blowing them off your rims!

Tubular

Tubular tires are glued directly on rims. Therefore, they don’t require inner tubes or tire sealant.

You can think of them as a garden hose in the shape of a circle. Remember, they require special – tubular rims.

They share the low-pressure benefit with tubeless-ready tires, which are more comfortable than clincher tires.

But you can also inflate them to high pressures (above 120 PSI), which are suitable for smooth surfaces on a velodrome, new smooth tarmac, etc.

Continental Competition 25mm tubular tire
An example of a tubular tire (Continental Competition 25mm)

Tubular tires are relatively puncture-resistant. But because of their complicated installation and maintenance, replacing them after a puncture is more time-consuming and difficult. This is assuming you are willing to carry a spare tubular tire.

One way to fix them on the side of the road is using a sealant that will fill the gap and allow you to inflate the tire. This is why they are not too widespread among hobby cyclists but pros.

How To Glue Tubular Tyres Like A Pro Mechanic
How to glue tubular tires?

Conclusion

I recommend clincher tubeless tires for road, gravel, and mountain bike riders. They allow you to inflate lower pressures, contributing to a more comfortable ride.

They also have a self-repairing capability, so if you get a puncture, the sealant will fill it out, and you can continue riding. However, it depends on the severity of the puncture.

Their only disadvantages are more difficult installation and higher prices than standard clincher tires. Clincher tires are the most user-friendly, though.

What tires do you prefer? Let me know in the comments.

Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless Tires FAQ

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Dalton Bourne
Dalton Bourne
2 years ago

This comprehensive article will answer everything I need to know about each tire type. Thanks a lot. This is a perfect article.

KittenBaird
KittenBaird
1 year ago

Thank you – this was a very comprehensive and useful article on different types of tyre. Happy cycling!

Scroll to Top
4
0
I'm interested in your opinion. Join the discussion!x
()
x