Can Tubeless Tires Be Used with Inner Tubes?
2 Answers
Tubeless tires can be used with inner tubes. After adding an inner tube, the tire's load-bearing capacity improves, enabling it to effectively support the vehicle's weight and ensure stable driving. It also helps absorb shocks, reducing the impact forces experienced during driving, thereby enhancing stability and lowering noise levels. Tubeless tires are environmentally friendly and more wear-resistant due to their larger diameter compared to conventional rims, which prevents them from being affected by brake drum heat, thus extending their service life. However, after adding an inner tube, tubeless tires become more susceptible to temperature changes. High temperatures can increase tire pressure, leading to blowouts, while the tires may harden, compromising ride comfort and shortening the lifespan of shock absorbers.
I just helped a friend deal with this issue a couple of days ago. In theory, tubeless tires can be fitted with inner tubes, but there are quite a few practical problems. Remember to check if the inner rim shape is smooth—if there are sharp weld points or burrs on the rim, the inner tube can get punctured at any time. Also, you'll need to replace the valve stem with a dedicated one, as the valve hole on regular tubeless tires is too small. After installing the inner tube, tire heat dissipation becomes worse, posing significant risks at high speeds. Once, after just half an hour of test driving, I could feel the sidewalls were scalding hot. I recommend using this method only as an emergency solution in remote areas, keeping the speed below 80 km/h, and removing it immediately at a repair shop for a proper fix. After all, with solutions like tire sealant and mushroom plugs being so convenient nowadays, it's not worth taking the risk.
