stev0 Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 (edited) So there I was... ready to descend this 1km rocky downhill. I even lowered my seat so I can get over the back end to keep the front in check when I'm heading over the sand. Ive done this hill about 10 times and each time is something new. By just freeing I can easily get up to 40kph. Not that fast... sure, but when I weigh 110kg and there is sand and rocks on it, it can sometimes turn into a headache. Back to my story. Im klapping it down there. I glance down, 42kph... hit the mini little bump in the road, nice airrrr and I land on a rock with my front wheel. A sudden shake from the front and I am unable to steer...We're going down the bike shouts... Not without dinner and a movie I respond. I fight my way into the thick sand on the side and we get to a stop... front wheel is completely flat. I know where this is heading... a long walk home. Ive lost 3 tubes in about 2 weeks. The first two, due to too low pressure. (See going tubeless would cure that) The second, landing on a rock and snake biting the crap out of a tube... (see going tubeless would cure that too.) Ive had a look around online and im thinking of the Stan's No tubes kit. $60 dolla... not bad... Could the no tubes kit on my tubed Kenda block 8's? Ive read online and some say yes and some say no... something to do with the soft sidewall. what would you guys recommend? Edited March 14, 2011 by stev0
Monark Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Get proper UST tyres... Ask your local bike shop to do the conversion for you... might be a little expensive but will help you avoid the hassle of getting your hands dirty.
ichnusa Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 I agree... at 110kg (not much more than me!) you (read we) need to use proper UST or tubeless tyres... these weight weenie small block 8s converted to tubeless simply do not last. sooner rather than later you will split the sidewall and wish for more weighty protection...
Christie Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Non UST tyres, big air & rocky downhill may not go so well together.
PhilipV Posted March 13, 2011 Posted March 13, 2011 Ust tyres is the way to go. Try the new caffelatex tubeless kits. Way cheaper than Stans.
stev0 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Posted March 14, 2011 I was quoted in R699 for the Stans. Yet U can buy it online for less that R500 directly from the states. UST tires do not seem like a bad idea. I might as well go all the way and do a proper job. Im not too concerned with the weight. Tire liners and tubes with slime is more than likely heavier than a complete tubeless setup. Ive taken a liking to the small blocks. They work well in the dry boland area. But with winter coming up, would there be a better tire to look at or is the small block a nice do-it-all kind of tire. They work really well on tarmac too. Where can I look into the Caffelatex kits?
Moolz Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 Stans is awesome! (ok ok - my experience with other brands is non existent...) Bought a kit from Cyclelab @ R450 odd. Used my cheapie WTB non-UST tyres on WTB Speed Disc wheels and it worked like a charm! A few of my LBSs told me that it WOULD not work...and I should opt for a proper set of UST tyres which have stronger sidewalls. I even bought a Race King 2.2 UST (still in its box). Bit the bullet and did it myself...Got it right on my 1st attempt, after spending sometime on YouTube and getting the technique right. I did however have to inflate the wheels at my local BP filling station. 350km later on mixed terrain (Teak, Groenies, the MTN Bike Park and the Spruit) without ANY issues! Tons of thorns, but after pulling them out, Stans seals them up!The air loss is minimal and I can easily say its less than the loss I incurred using tubes (around 250km worth of tube use). As for the ride - I notice no major difference except being able to run a slightly lower pressure - around 1.5 to 1.8 bar. Others have experienced all sorts of improvements - other topics on tubeless conversions will confirm this.I have gone as low as 1.3 without realising it! Tubeless converstion on non-UST - I would do it over and over again!
stev0 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Posted March 14, 2011 Thanks Moolz! I realized today that I have been under inflating my tubed tires the whole time. I'm guessing I was running at about 1.4bar on average. Such a smooth ride, but the tubes don't last. I pumped up to 2.5 rear and 2.4 front and man is the ride hard over rocks. The ride is sort of unsettling! Ill be dropping down to the minimum recommended by the tires for now (2.0bar) and then look for a great all round UST tire for winter.
Moolz Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 Cool - I would recommend doing it yourself...Its easy and a great sense of accomplishment!
mountain_lion Posted March 14, 2011 Posted March 14, 2011 For a great all round tyre, try Kenda Karma (if you can find them in UST)
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