Is it true that gravel bikes are hard to do? thumbnail

Is it true that gravel bikes are hard to do?

There is a perception that gravel bikes, which are designed to be ridden on unpaved roads, are harder to puncture or do not puncture as much as regular road bikes, but is this true?

Modified at: 2023.11.30Posted at: 2022.9.1

Even gravel bikes get punctures.
Tubeless tires are less prone to punctures
“Techniques to avoid punctures” are also important when riding on paved roads

Even gravel bikes get punctures.

To answer the question first, even gravel bikes get punctures when they get punctures. This is unavoidable because of the way bicycle tires “keep their shape with air inside”.

Gravel bikes seem to be less prone to punctures because they have knobbly tires.

Sure, a little pebble might be less likely to cause a puncture, but if you step on a piece of glass or can trash on the street and puncture a tire or tube, even a gravel bike can get a puncture.

Tubeless tires are less prone to punctures

The reason gravel bikes are said to be less prone to punctures is in part due to the fact that they are equipped with tubeless tires.

The reason tubeless tires are puncture resistant is because there is no thin rubber tube inside. Tube factor punctures are zero.

In addition, tubeless tires have a special liquid called sealant inside the tire, so that if there is a small hole, the sealant will blow out from the inside and fill it, resulting in a “soropuncture” (gradual loss of air).

Please refer to the video below to see how well the tire sealant fills the hole.

We Found The Only Tyre Sealant You Need | Tubeless Sealant Mega Test | Youtube

“Techniques to avoid punctures” are also important when riding on paved roads

There are many factors that can cause a flat tire on a road bike and it is not possible to eliminate 100% of them, but maintenance and driving techniques can cover a lot of ground.

maintain proper air pressure
avoiding foreign objects on the road

This is the same for gravel bikes.

Gravel tires for gravel bikes are often thicker and more puncture resistant, but they will still puncture if a nail gets stuck in them. The same is true for tubeless tires.

Gravel bikes are less prone to punctures than road bikes, depending on the equipment, but it is important to remember that daily maintenance and riding skill are the most important factors.

The standard for gravel bikes! Tubeless Guide

Tubeless tires, which can reduce puncture risk and increase ride comfort, are a staple of gravel bikes. This is a guide on how to choose and operate tubeless tires.

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