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?

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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).

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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!

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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.

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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?

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

In theory, tubeless are lighter.

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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

Re: Bikes with spoked wheels
 

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