In passenger cars, the tubeless tyre has almost completely ousted the tubed tyre. The main reasons are that the tubeless vs tube tyres is:
easier and faster to fit
the inner lining is able to self-seal small incisions in the tyre.
In tubeless tyres the inner lining performs the function of the tube, i.e. it prevents air escaping from the tyre. As it forms a unit with the carcass and (unlike the tube) is not under tensional stress, if the tyre is damaged the incision does not increase in size, rapidly causing loss of pressure and failure of the tyre. The use of tubeless tyres is linked to two conditions:
- safety contour on the rim
- its air-tightness.
Because this is not yet guaranteed worldwide, tubed tyres continue to be fitted in some countries. When choosing the tube, attention should be paid to ensuring the correct type for the tyre. If the tube is too big it will crease, and if it is too small it will be overstretched, both of which reduce durability. In order to avoid confusion, the tyres carry the following marking on the sidewall:
- tubeless type
- tubed or tube type.
Valves are needed for inflating the tyre and maintaining the required pressure. Various designs are available for tubeless and tubed tyres . The most widely used valve is the so-called ‘snap-in valve’. It comprises a metal foot valve body vulcanized into a rubber sheath,which provides the seal in the rim hole .
The functionality is achieved by a valve insert, while a cap closes the valve and protects it against ingress of dirt.
At high speeds, the valve can be subjected to bending stress and loss of air can occur. Hub caps and support areas on alloy wheels can help to alleviate this tubeless vs tube tyres