Tubeless road bike wheels aren't new, but they're increasingly becoming a popular option. Not only do they save you from flats, but they also give your bike a smoother ride and can help keep the mud out of your wheels when you're riding gravel or rocky trails.

But setting up your new tubeless tires can be a frustrating experience for many riders. The sealant can be messy and the tyres aren't always easy to mount and seat.

The good news is that tubeless set ups aren't as hard to do as you might think, as long as you know the basics and use the right tools. Here's a guide to making the process as smooth and easy as possible:

1. Check the rim tape is air tight, which means it covers the entire rim bed and doesn't ride up the rim sides or reduce the area of rim lip that the tyre bead can grip against.

2. Install a tubeless valve on the rim, using the rim tape to hold it in place.

3. Inflate the tire with an air pump to a high pressure, but not so high that it punctures the tire.

4. Make sure the tyre is centered on the rim, which means that it's seated evenly at the rim wall.

5. Apply a generous amount of sealant to the tire and rim, with the bead at the top of the rim, and then press it down.