Tubeless Conversion

[BenReaper]

Clever and simple little trick,just goes to show,we are never to old or smart to learn something new.

[rusted_knees]

Question:

 

I want to convert to tubeless. I have a 2009/2008 Mavic Deemax (bought the bike second hand) with WTB Vigilante (2.5) on the front and WTB Exiwolf (2.35) on the back. Both the tyres are probably as old as the rims. They still have a lot of grip as the previous owner did not ride the bike much.  

 

Can I use the existing set-up and convert to tubeless? Will the tires be able to seal? They have seen a lot of use since I have gotten the bike but I keep getting pinch flats on the rear.

 

Will the Mavic rims be easily converted? I do not know if they are tubeless ready or what but I do know that it is a bitch to get the tires back on the rim.  

 

If the old tires will not work, will new UST tyres work on the Mavic rims?

 

Thanks in advance

[Bomberman]

Question:

 

I want to convert to tubeless. I have a 2009/2008 Mavic Deemax (bought the bike second hand) with WTB Vigilante (2.5) on the front and WTB Exiwolf (2.35) on the back. Both the tyres are probably as old as the rims. They still have a lot of grip as the previous owner did not ride the bike much.  

 

Can I use the existing set-up and convert to tubeless? Will the tires be able to seal? They have seen a lot of use since I have gotten the bike but I keep getting pinch flats on the rear.

 

Will the Mavic rims be easily converted? I do not know if they are tubeless ready or what but I do know that it is a bitch to get the tires back on the rim.  

 

If the old tires will not work, will new UST tyres work on the Mavic rims?

 

Thanks in advance

Hi Rusted. 

 

Until you can get the tubeless done, just run your rear tire at a higher pressure. Had the same problem as well.

[rusted_knees]

Hi Rusted. 

 

Until you can get the tubeless done, just run your rear tire at a higher pressure. Had the same problem as well.

 

Tried that, cant ever find bigger volume tubes. Can only find 1.9/2.125. I should of mentioned this in the post. These often burst where the valve stem is attached to the tube. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Question:

 

I want to convert to tubeless. I have a 2009/2008 Mavic Deemax (bought the bike second hand) with WTB Vigilante (2.5) on the front and WTB Exiwolf (2.35) on the back. Both the tyres are probably as old as the rims. They still have a lot of grip as the previous owner did not ride the bike much.  

 

Can I use the existing set-up and convert to tubeless? Will the tires be able to seal? They have seen a lot of use since I have gotten the bike but I keep getting pinch flats on the rear.

 

Will the Mavic rims be easily converted? I do not know if they are tubeless ready or what but I do know that it is a bitch to get the tires back on the rim.  

 

If the old tires will not work, will new UST tyres work on the Mavic rims?

 

Thanks in advance

Deemax should be readily convertible (Capricorn knows more on Mavic rims and their compatability) 

 

But with just a roll of 25mm duck tape and a couple of layers, together with a tubeless valve and some sealant, they should work fine. You don't mention what version of the Exi & Vigi you have at the moment. That would let us help you on th etyre side of things. 

[rusted_knees]

Deemax should be readily convertible (Capricorn knows more on Mavic rims and their compatability) 

 

But with just a roll of 25mm duck tape and a couple of layers, together with a tubeless valve and some sealant, they should work fine. You don't mention what version of the Exi & Vigi you have at the moment. That would let us help you on th etyre side of things. 

 

Erm... I dont know what versions of the Exi or Vigi are. I will have a look whe back home this evening.  Is there any marking/branding in particular you are looking for?

[rusted_knees]

Deemax should be readily convertible (Capricorn knows more on Mavic rims and their compatability) 

 

 

 

Sweet! Saves me some cash on the rims. The front is still in good nic, the rear has a slight dent in it and a small chip. Chip could of been from me after a run on Lombards Terra when the tube burst in a rocky section. 

 

These slight imperfections going to cause some hassles in the conversion?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Erm... I dont know what versions of the Exi or Vigi are. I will have a look whe back home this evening.  Is there any marking/branding in particular you are looking for?

I think the WTB branding / version of tubeless ready is TCS (Tubeless Compatible System.

 

 

Sweet! Saves me some cash on the rims. The front is still in good nic, the rear has a slight dent in it and a small chip. Chip could of been from me after a run on Lombards Terra when the tube burst in a rocky section. 

 

These slight imperfections going to cause some hassles in the conversion?

Depending on how severe the dent is, yeah it could. 

[rusted_knees]

I think the WTB branding / version of tubeless ready is TCS (Tubeless Compatible System.

 

 

Depending on how severe the dent is, yeah it could. 

 

 

The dent is barely noticeable. I will post pics this evening. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Then you should be fine. 

[JXV]

Tried that, cant ever find bigger volume tubes. Can only find 1.9/2.125. I should of mentioned this in the post. These often burst where the valve stem is attached to the tube.

Tubes puncturing where valve stem is attached;

1) check for roughness or burring in the valve hole in the rim . If rim was previously used with Schrader valves then it has been drilled 1mm larger and this causes problems with Presta valves. There is an adapter shim you can get....

2) if tyre pressure too low the whole tyre / tube combo can slip on the rim and rip the valve off. If your valve occasionally tilts forward or back where it pokes out of the rim then this is happening either when you brake or under acceleration.

 

If your rims were drilled for Schrader then tubeless conversion might be a problem.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Tubes puncturing where valve stem is attached;

1) check for roughness or burring in the valve hole in the rim . If rim was previously used with Schrader valves then it has been drilled 1mm larger and this causes problems with Presta valves. There is an adapter shim you can get....

2) if tyre pressure too low the whole tyre / tube combo can slip on the rim and rip the valve off. If your valve occasionally tilts forward or back where it pokes out of the rim then this is happening either when you brake or under acceleration.

 

If your rims were drilled for Schrader then tubeless conversion might be a problem.

Schrader valve tjoop, cut valve out (with 3-5mm of rubber surrounding valve) so that you have a standalone valve (like the presta valves, but schrader)

 

Apply gaffa tape to rim (2 layers)

 

Poke hole in tape for valve

 

Superglue valve in place. 

 

Done. 

 

 

SOME schrader valves have threads all the way, which allows a securing nut to be put into place. But the point is, it can work. Used this technique on my old Spank Subrosas with much success.

[rusted_knees]

Cool guys, I had a look at the tires. I was stand corrected about the front tire... its a WTB wierwolf 2.5. Both rear and front have WTB DNA rubber compound. No TCS or mention of tubeless...  

 

I had a look at the rims, the valve stem hole does not look like it has been drilled but does show some wear possibly due to rough hands inserting the valve stem when changing the tube. See pics below...

 

Tubeless setup with what I got or should I go get new tires? 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Valve hole looks about right for a wheelset of that age. Good nick, actually.

 

As for tyres - yeah, probably too thin to allow a tubeless conversion, but there's no harm in trying. 

[rusted_knees]

Valve hole looks about right for a wheelset of that age. Good nick, actually.

 

As for tyres - yeah, probably too thin to allow a tubeless conversion, but there's no harm in trying. 

 

Cool well then new tires. No point spending the money on a tubeless kit twice if it doesn't work. 

 

Now the great search for some tires...

 

Thanks for the advice and help guys