Bikes with spoked wheels

Never really considered this before but having spoked wheels means having tubed tyres.

Has anyone had spoked wheels before? Did you find that there was more maintenance required than the standard cast wheels?

Is there a benefit or disadvantage to having tubed tyres?

I had a Virago with spoked wheels. Maintenance is what you make of it really (read never cleaned or polished, just rode the thing until it exploded).

Make sure the rim tape covers the spokes nipples on the inside of the rim, can puncture the tube otherwise. Keeps the spoke nipples tight. Other than that spoke wheels shouldnt be a problem.

Too much talk of *sniggers* nipples there, lol!

[northwind]

I'm sure I've seen sealed spoked wheels that don't need tubes.

[dizzyblonde]

spoked wheels...OCD polishing heaven! or a curse to thse who hate cleaning!

[Sid Squid]

Andy's right - there are wire wheels that can use tubeless tyres, some BMWs for example have the spokes fitted to the edges of the rim rather than the centre well as was traditionally the case.
As far as maintenance goes wire wheels should be checked regularly to ensure the spokes are still tensioned correctly, the way to do this is to raise the wheel off the floor and spin it, using a screwdriver or similar lightly touching the spokes as the wheel spins will result in a note being produced as each spoke pings off of the screwdriver - a bum note indicates a loose spoke.

Thanks for that, was a bit apprehensive of buying a bike with Spoked wheels but I guess if you get a puncture you could just change the tube?

Why dont all bike tyres use tubes then?

[punyXpress]

In theory, tubeless are lighter.

So does it matter if you're not bothered too much about racing a bike about?

Suppose the benefit is that they are cheaper to replace if you get a puncture? - tubes that is...