Tubeless ready vs UST

[kennyg]

Its weight vs longevity... an 850g Geax TNT, can still be undone by a thorn/nail or shard of glass that cuts a 600g Ralph.

 

As for side wall protection... most tyres and manufacturers are just going thicker, thats where the weight comes from. My manufacturer has gone with a hard slipperry coating that is bonded to the lower portion of the sidewall, to save weight.

 

I have a 550g 2.2x29 protection tyre and a 520g 2.0 x 29 protection tyre. I took the 2.2 over the monster on the weekend with only a couple chafe marks on the sidewalls, no other issues.

 

I have a write up on a years worth of testing and 5000km coming up shortly.

[Face Plant]

KennyG how do the GEAX compare in terms of price vs conti vs schwalbe?

[Tankman]

Where does continental fit into here or have you not tested them?

 

Continental also does not do an UST 29er only the protection.

 

Yup, tested them ... prefer the UST 26er version unfortunately

 

When using low pressure like around 1.6 - 1.8bar on the front, it is almost if the "protection"pattern forms a crease in the sidewall. It gives you the feeling that the tire wants to keep going straight while you want to turn.

 

Compare the 2.2 Conti vs 2.25 Schwalbe ... the Schwalbe just looks fatter and has more volume (plus a stronger sidewall in the Snakeskin) ... so my personal preference has been with Schwalbe I suppose.

 

Why do we battle to get any 2.4 tires ... now those I would like to test, especially on the front ... not too worried about the rear.

 

On the rear I have had 4 Maxxis Ikons, properly light tyre, but VERY susceptable to sidewall cuts - so that is now a no-go for me. It runs great and has adequate grip, but on rocky terrain I couldn't trust it any longer.

 

The Maxxis Ikon comes only in Tubeless Ready ... dont know why some online shops advertise it as UST?

Check the Maxxis website, they dont manufacture the Ikon in a UST version.

 

Remember the year Evans and George had endless punctures in the Epic, they were using Ikons

[VeloErv]

3 features are needed in a tire to qualify as a UST tire;

1- UST bead. To hook on the rims correctly

2- UST sidewall. Thicker rubber sidewall to handle low tire pressures.

3- Butyl layer(+-150g). To make it airtight so you can fit them to UST rims without sealant like in Europe without thorns.

 

GEAX makes three "levels" of tires:

1. HP which is normal foldable with a UST bead

2. UST which has all three features mentioned above(bead, sidewall rubber, butyl)

3. TNT which has the UST bead, and thicker rubber sidewall, but no Butyl layer so you must use a sealant.

 

Snake Skin and protection is only a layer of protection on the sidewall to guard against sharp rocks and sticks etc. but you can't risk a lower tire pressure because there is no extra rubber to prevent a pinch flat.

 

Ralph SS- 630g

Mezcal TNT- 630g

Saguaro TNT 2.0- 750g

Saguaro TNT 2.2- 800g

 

The bit of extra weight per tire gives you the assurance to run tire pressure as low as 1.6bar even on body weights above 80/90kg with aggressive riding.

 

 

[dev null]

UST on Easton EA90XC.

[Face Plant]

that just defeats the whole point of having a light wheelset doesnt it Moridin?

[boristheblade]

im about to go tubeless, and have to choose from the Maxiss Ikon,Crossmark or Ardent -

all 3 currently on special at CWC.

i have a 29er, and hate punctures.

 

Im a bit confused with which to choose -

liking the weight of the Ikon, but probably need to go with the strong Crossmark.

 

Also, it was mentioned in this thread, that the Ikon is advertised as UST but in fact it isnt - its only tubeless ready.

 

so then i probalby should go with the crossmark?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ardent front, Crossmark / Ikon rear. The Ardent has bags more grip than either of the others.

[boristheblade]

thanks

[rouxtjie]

Ikons front and back....light enough, cheap enough, strong enough.

 

Magic trifecta

[Robbow]

im about to go tubeless, and have to choose from the Maxiss Ikon,Crossmark or Ardent -

all 3 currently on special at CWC.

i have a 29er, and hate punctures.

 

Im a bit confused with which to choose -

liking the weight of the Ikon, but probably need to go with the strong Crossmark.

 

Also, it was mentioned in this thread, that the Ikon is advertised as UST but in fact it isnt - its only tubeless ready.

 

so then i probalby should go with the crossmark?

 

I did the Ardent/Ikon pair. Lasted 1 ride, and Ikon is ruined (looks like a manufacturing fault). Have now gone Crossmark on the rear.

 

The Ikon is much lighter, but an absolute pain to fit because as mentioned above its not UST as advertised.

 

The Ardent and Crossmark are simple to fit, just used a little electric pump to inflate and then poured some Stans in.

 

If you are not concerned by the weight then go Ardent/Crossmark, I dont think the Ikon is worth the trouble.

[Super Sywurm]

I had tubeless ready, it didn't seal so well.

[boristheblade]

see, thats why this is probably the best/most useful website on the internet.

 

[MK Killer]

Ikons front and back....light enough, cheap enough, strong enough.

 

Magic trifecta

 

Been using Ikons for over a year now - INCREDIBLE tyres (please may i not jinx myself now)

[Pooyan]

Ikons front and back. Light enough, last long (compared to Racing R), 2 years without a flat and unfortunately 2 accident caused by front wheel slipping in a corner. (Ryder error- waiting for my -20 degree stem to lower the front end.)

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Ikons front and back....light enough, cheap enough, strong enough.

 

Magic trifecta

 

Bear in mind that the oke is in the Cape. Where we have more differing trail types than Zuma has wives. Shale, sandstone, granite, soil and so on - so the Crossmark and Ardent would be best in this case... Unless he was riding dirt roads all the time, that is!