Killer Bee UST Tubeless - Can they be used with a tube?

[Scotty P]

Good morning all,

 

Now, having read the subject line, please avoid any eye rolling ;-) and forehead slapping/face palming.......one day you may need legal advice........and then what!?!?!? :-D

I am VERY new to MTBing.....play nice!

 

Anyway...as the subject line implies. Can I 'run' Killer Bee UST's with tubes?

 

Thanks in advance.

[bassasdaindia]

yes

[Cois]

Hope so... If I get a flat I would like to get home with the use of a tube. Or else it might be a very long walk...

[Scotty P]

@bassasdaindia & Francois.........too kind.

 

So, no conversion etc, just whip the old tyres off & the new ones on? Seems too easy.

 

Thanks Guys.

[Bobbo_SA]

But whyyyyyy

[Raab]

You will obviously have to remove your tubeless valves as well before putting the tube in

Edited July 18, 2013 by Raab

[RexFuzzle]

Ja, why... I have a nearly new non-tubeless tyre that I would be more than willing to swap for your killer bee... they have served me amazingly!

[Scotty P]

But whyyyyyy

 

Because I'm new to MTBing & know no better.

 

What would you recommend? Run them tubeless? Then I'd have to figure out if my rims are tubeless enabled (or is that a uber doff comment?)

[Cruz Addict]

the question is why? in the event of a puncture to get home etc yes, or if you are mid stage race and have a really big puncture you cant plug again yes but otherwise run tubeless and forget about the problems of tubes.

[madbradd]

I think the replies assume you currently have the bees on your bike as tubeless. If they're not on the bike yet you need to do a tubeless conversion if you want to run them tubeless (recommended). The tubeless conversion basically stops the air from escaping through the spoke holes in the rim, and gives you a valve to pump up the Tyre and sealant to close any small punctures on your ride. If you're planning on just using tubes, the tube has the valve, and keeps the air in, so you don't need to change anything.

 

With tubeless tyres you get less punctures, and can run lower pressures meaning more grip. You will carry some plugs and a tube with you in case you get a puncture that doesn't seal.

 

Hope that helps.

[Cois]

Get a Stan's conversion kit. Worth it. Made my non tubeless wheels tubeless. And yes it is worth it.

[Guest Travis.]

Read here:

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/120805-why-is-tubeless-better

 

And read here on how to do it:

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/119019-gorilla-tape-tubeless-conversion/page__hl__gorilla+tape

 

You can also do the above by using a 20" inner tube - best use youtube for that - it's called ghetto tubeless.

[Bobbo_SA]

Because I'm new to MTBing & know no better.

 

What would you recommend? Run them tubeless? Then I'd have to figure out if my rims are tubeless enabled (or is that a uber doff comment?)

 

Not a doff comment at all, :-)

 

If you have spent your hard earned cash on 2bliss tyres (generally more expensive than the same brand / model non-2bliss) then you are 80% of the way there already and it would be a waste running tjoobs.

 

For rims, they will have a label somewhere that will indicate their suitability for 2bliss, Mavic coined the "UST" phrase and everyone that uses this pays royalties to Mavic, thus the trend from most other manufactures is to label them with names like "LUST" / "TLR" (Tubeliss ready) / "Protection" / "Snakeskin" etc.

 

If your Rims are UST or Tubeless ready all you would need is 2 valves and a bottle of sealant.

 

If not you need 2 x 20" BMX tires (which naturally include valves), slice them down the middle to open them up, fit them over the rims, fit tire, add 60-70ml sealant and inflate to 3.5 - 4bar to seat the beads. Once inflated you can reduce the pressure to 1.8 (depending on your weight) and slice off the excess "tube" from the edges.

[eddy]

Lots of good advice here, converting to tubeless is a low cost, high return upgrade to any bike.

 

You can do it yourself as discussed above, or, as you are new to the game, you can go and talk to a bike shop in your area and book your wheels in to be converted. Ask them if you can watch when they do it so you can learn. A service orientated shop will agree.

 

Use this to start the process of establishing a relationship which will pay off in the long run.

[Scotty P]

I think the replies assume you currently have the bees on your bike as tubeless. If they're not on the bike yet you need to do a tubeless conversion if you want to run them tubeless (recommended). The tubeless conversion basically stops the air from escaping through the spoke holes in the rim, and gives you a valve to pump up the Tyre and sealant to close any small punctures on your ride. If you're planning on just using tubes, the tube has the valve, and keeps the air in, so you don't need to change anything.

 

With tubeless tyres you get less punctures, and can run lower pressures meaning more grip. You will carry some plugs and a tube with you in case you get a puncture that doesn't seal.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for this, I guess I did leave a lot to interpretation and implication.

 

Perfect response for me.....................'Mountain Biking For Dummies'.

 

Thanks again.