I'm with you, i don't care much for those carriers.... I've always been afraid of a strap breaking and it falling or kind of like weems motor co, has someone rear end him. So i prefer trailers but do understand the ease of the carriers. As far as the tubes are concerned, i changed my front tire and pinched the tube in the same spot. I hate tubed tires myself. There just isn't that much room to work with, especially on the front.