ATEOTD Schwalbe's motivation is presumably to get more of us buying these things, and I'm prepared to be "sold" if there is evidence to justify the greater up-front cost.
Depending on what you're comparing them too, they can be had for around €33 each from German sellers right now.
I costed out all I needed for switching to tubeless on a couple of German websites and with rim tape, valves, sealant, sealant syringe, fitting solution (the last two perhaps not strictly necessary but would make the first time experience easier?) and with two tyres @ €33 the total was nearly €120
compared with Schwalbe Duranos @ €24 ea on one of those same sites.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all anti, in a way I'm quite keen to change despite the extra cost... but my question was not so much about the cost so much as the "payback" period, or rather how many km without visitations. If the "falling off a cliff" that was referred to earlier happens at 2000 - 3000km then it's not worth it to my mind. The Duranos are good for at least 5000km with only very occasional visitations.
Interesting that Schwalbe are providing twice as many tyres for the front.... I know it is more 'critical' but I wear rear tyres down much more quickly.
Still - when we can find X.....
Expecting mattc to pop up and say "here it is"