So, apparently tubeless tires for road bikes are now a reality.  Since I don’t race road bikes, nor do I run tubeless on my mountain bike, this may be old news and I just don’t know it.  But here’s what I don’t understand…how can you run lower pressure and get decreased rolling resistance?
From Hutchinson’s recent PR email:  “…tests from our customers show a 30% decrease in rolling resistance, incredible flat resistance, and the ability to ride at much lower pressures than normal, resulting in significant increases in comfort and speed.”
Comfort, yes.  Speed?  We’ll see, as they’ll be demoing a bunch of bikes this week with their tires. A lot of brands seem to be on board, as referenced in the rest of their email:
“Shimano, Campagnolo, Fulcrum, Roval, and A-Class have already created Road Tubeless wheelsets, and bike companies including Orbea, Ridley, Ibis, Independent Fabrications, Rocky Mountain, DeSalvo, Van Dessel, Time, Marin, and more will be displaying bikes and/or providing them for test rides at the Outdoor Demo and indoor show that feature Road Tubeless wheels and tires.”
