What are the Advantages of Road Tubeless tires?

S-Works Turbo 2BR / S-Works Turbo RapidAir 2BR / S-Works Mondo 2BR 

What are Tubeless Road tires and who are they for?

The most common type of road cycling tires today are called clinchers, which work using separate inner tubes. Clinchers allow riders to quickly repair punctures by patching or replacing the inner tube.

Road tubeless is the newest and most innovative type of cycling tire. Tubeless tires use sealant instead of a tube. This reduces rolling resistance while enhancing grip and ride feel. The liquid sealant is designed to clot and plug punctures immediately as you ride. We believe road tubeless is the future in providing additional tire performance, but it does require more maintenance. If you are looking for a low-maintenance setup, you may prefer to ride with tubes. See the FAQ below for a smooth tubeless road experience.

Why are S-Works tubeless road tires not recommended for Gen 1 Rapide and Alpinist wheels?

First generation of Roval Rapide and Alpinist wheels were released in 2020 as a tube-type wheelset. Installation of our road tubeless tires on these wheels can be difficult because the tire uses a bead that was designed to be tight for high pressure tubeless, and the rims were designed with a tight bead shelf to lock on clincher (tubed) tires. The combination of rim and tire require a high force to seat the tire bead onto the rim bead and a high force to “unlock” and remove the tire. For these wheels we strongly recommend using our S-Works Turbo (tube-type) tire for best all-around performance or our Turbo Cotton tire for least rolling resistance.

What is the recommended riding pressure?

Through hundreds of test hours by our teammates and professional riders, we identified average recommendations for tire pressure based on rider weight. Use these as a starting point and move in 0.1 bar/1.5 psi steps inflating or deflating to find your ideal pressure.

For wet days, reduce your tire pressure 0.5 bar/7 psi to enhance grip on wet pavement.

What is the normal pressure loss for S-Works tubeless road tires over 24 hours?

All S-Works tubeless road tires are designed for high performance with a balance of weight and air retention. The way to achieve air retention is by adding rubber into the casing, yet it adds weight while decreasing performance.

S-Works tubeless road tires are class-leading and balanced for best performance and air retention. To lead with performance, we accept a minimal air pressure loss of ~15 psi over 24 hours. Keep tires inflated at half of normal tire pressure while not riding and fill them up to your preferred ride pressure before riding.

What the average reduction in rolling resistance for riding with S-Works tubeless road tires vs. riding with an inner tube?

With hundreds of rolling resistance measurements from our in-house test machine across all types of tires, sizes, specs, etc., we identified an average rolling resistance reduction of ~8% riding a tire tubeless compared to using a standard butyl inner tube. Added sealant does not affect the rolling resistance.

Are there specific rims S-Works tubeless road tires should be mounted to?

Choose tubeless ready rims/wheels which comply with E.T.R.T.O standards to ensure safety. Our 2BR tires are also approved for hookless rim designs up to a tire pressure maximum of 5.0 bar / 72.5 psi.

How do the S-Works tubeless road tires measure on rims?

Tube-type tires are approved for (C) Clincher and (TC) Tubeless Clincher rim contours.

Tubeless Ready (2BR) models are approved for (C) (TC) (TSS) Tubeless Straight Side / Hookless.

*700x26 tires are released as 2BR only for 622x23 rims.

Can S-Works tubeless road tires be used with an inner tube?

Yes, the tires also work with a tube, but they are optimized to be set up as a tubeless road tire for best ride performance.

How easy are S-Works tubeless road tires to install?

The casing and bead are designed for easy installation on modern road E.T.R.T.O. rims.  For the best installation, performance, and safety, follow the above guide to select the appropriate tire for your rim width.

Available Models

RapidAir Sealant

What is the recommended RapidAir sealant amount per tire?

Minimum recommended sealant amount:

24 – 26 mm                           40 ml

28 – 30 mm                           50 ml

32 – 35 mm                           60 ml

For maximum performance:

24 – 30 mm                           1 bottle / 60 ml

32 – 35 mm                           1.3 bottle / 80 ml

How long is the RapidAir sealant shelf life?

The shelf life is ~ 18 months after production if the bottle is not opened and exposed to air. Once the bottle is opened, the sealant will start reacting and degrade. There is an expiration date printed on each bottle to indicate best performance.

How long does the RapidAir sealant last when installed?

For full effectiveness, refresh sealant every 8 – 12 weeks depending on the amount used, storage, and weather conditions.

Why should I buy RapidAir sealant?

It is a proven sealant that closes punctures instantly on road tires with riding pressures above 5 bar. The result is the least amount of air pressure lost during a puncture, which allows you to continue riding with proper air pressure.

Note that riding tubeless is an outstanding performance advantage, but it does not simplify maintenance. Always keep your tires inflated at a minimum of half pressure, even when storing your bike or wheels with tires mounted. This secures the rim engagement and keeps the sealant as fresh as possible. Make sure tires and wheels are always in good condition to get the full effectiveness. Check the rim and rim tape for wrinkles or imperfections.  Make sure the valve core is tight and in good condition.  Finally, check the tire and sealant conditions periodically for full performance. If you don´t use your bike over the winter season, disengage the tire bead and clean the sealant from the tire and rim. This will avoid dried out sealant in your tires making them unbalanced. Add fresh sealant and remount the tires in spring for season opening.