An ode to flexibility!

October 01, 2021

Among tire geeks, Jan Heine is seen as a borderline guru-like figure — Oh, and how many of us tire geeks there are! This is all the more understandable in the world of gravel biking, where all we have to deal with the changing and sometimes brutal terrain, to grip, bite, absorb, propel ourselves for miles and miles, well, it's our tires!

Not without stirring up controversy, he was also one of the first to question the age-old universality of the principle that narrow tires necessarily equal speed. At least in the context of adventure cycling. Today, we borrow a page from his renowned logbook.

It's often said that mounting your tires tubeless greatly reduces the risk of punctures. Punctures, it should be noted, because the sealant would repair them immediately. But also pinch flats, since there's simply no inner tube to pinch. Of course. That's the superficial aspect of tubeless setup. But perhaps not the most interesting one…!

We also hear that it's relatively lighter. That's true. That's good. But while cyclists only tangibly experience these advantages occasionally, there's a whole other aspect, too often overlooked, which alone would justify the switch to tubeless.

You see, removing the inner tube from the pneumatic system would mean removing a layer of structural support. Combined with the lower pressure such a setup allows—and provided it's a tire with a supple design—this would allow the tire to deform more freely. This applies to vibrations and impacts, whether it's the small, repeated impacts from gravel, more substantial obstacles like a series of roots, or even hidden potholes. The supple tire , essentially freed from its internal structure, can then adapt much better to the stresses, rather than resisting and causing energy loss. The real reason to go tubeless is suppleness.

This principle would lead to a whole range of noticeable benefits, mile after mile, for both the urban cyclist and the gravel biker: comfort, control, and speed are all improved thanks to the tire's flexibility made possible by a tubeless setup. This is especially relevant for gravel bikes, where we often ride at the very limit of what's reasonable, given our minimalist equipment!

Jan Heine. Photo credit: Bicycle Quarterly / René Herse.

The flexibility of the tire itself can be felt by touch. Then, on paper, a good indicator: the more densely woven a tire is with fibers (TPI; Threads per inch ) and the lighter it is at the same time, therefore the less relatively rigid rubber compound it contains, the more flexibility it will offer you.

So, hyper-proactive in experimenting with these principles, and offering a substantial range of products, Jan Heine is now at the helm of a tire brand whose devotees form a near-cult following, a legendary brand known for its suppleness: René Herse. And the exceptional qualities of their tires are, of course, amplified in tubeless setups.

Tubeless. Especially relevant now that it's autumn. This means unpredictable surfaces, some wet, a carpet of leaves hiding imperfections, rocks, bumps, and potholes. Faced with this, the increased suppleness of the tire can make all the difference, keeping you on your bike longer. More broadly, a tubeless setup completely transforms your riding experience, in any case. Think about it!

Hey there, real ones. A blog by Pierre Gravel.

The author has been passionate about cycling since childhood. A former bike shop worker, he is now finishing his studies in communications. This blog reflects his independent opinion.

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