Slicks on tubeless MTB rims

[sdaghers]

I'm thinking of putting some cheap slicks that I have onto my ZTR rims which are running tubeless knobbly tyres at the moment. Will I be able to run the slicks tubeless or would I have to stick some tubes in there?

 

If the answer is both what would you recommend would be the best?

[rouxtjie]

You will battle to get a seal going with those thin wire bead slicks...

 

So know this, if you have your heart set on running slick then your tubeless conversion is moertoe...all you sealant gone and you will have to go the tube version.

 

Recommendation for best....leave you mtb as is...ride it with knobblies. If you have money burning your gatsak...buy a roadbike

[jcza]

Else take the tyres and beers to rouxtjies house and he will help you.

[sdaghers]

Hahaha thanks guys, I was just considering it to get a better 94.7 time but I reckon I will just have to put a bit more training in these last few weekends as there is no money burning anything at the moment....

[clyde79]

Hahaha thanks guys, I was just considering it to get a better 94.7 time but I reckon I will just have to put a bit more training in these last few weekends as there is no money burning anything at the moment....

 

Don't bother with new tyres.

 

Just inflate yours for the race as running them at 1.8 bar is pointless. You won't need that kind of grip on the road so no point having the extra rolling resistance. But don't exceed the recommended maximum pressure!

[MTBc]

I don't have a road bike either, so doing the slick conversion (I'm running AC's) in a couple of weeks for 94.7.  It's not going to break the bank (a couple R100's) and has much less rolling resistance. Apparently tandem tyres are slightly wider and will work better

 

Moving back to tubeless afterwards will cost you 2 x tyre fulls of sealant, less than half a bottle which won't break the bank (last bottle i bought was R140 and had 5 x tyres worth in).

[Odinson]

Simply extract the sealant from your tyres and store it in a plastic container and put it back after the 94.7.

 

You don't have to chuck the sealant away.

[Honkdonk]

Do the slick thing with tubes.

 

Of course the bonus is that you get to fiddle the next weekend putting back your knobblies and redoing your sealant, because, lets face it, you haven't checked it in ages and it probably needs to be done.

And while you are at it you can take off the cassette, give that a good scrub, check the bearings, clean and wipe down the skewer and all the other close up inspection stuff that needs doing once a year, at least

[MTBc]

Simply extract the sealant from your tyres and store it in a plastic container and put it back after the 94.7.

 

You don't have to chuck the sealant away.

 

I was worried about it being too dry / lumpy and less effective after re-applying... you done this before?

 

@honkdonk - you don't do that after every ride?

[montyzuma]

I have run normal (non tubeless design) road tyres as tubeless tyres on normal road rims using Stan's. Worked perfectly except didn't do the job for punctures, which was the original point (pressures are too high - just blows the sealant out of the puncture site when you reinflate). So although it'll work, there's not much point as if you do get a puncture you'll have to put in a tube anyway (if the plan is to use road slicks & high pressures). If you are using fat-tyre slicks and lower pressures it should work, but you might need the paraphernalia you would need for a MTB tyre (plugs etc etc)

[Odinson]

I was worried about it being too dry / lumpy and less effective after re-applying... you done this before?

 

@honkdonk - you don't do that after every ride?

 

I use Joe's and that stuff stays liquid for a long time. If my bike has been stationary and I turn the wheels, then I can hear the sealant sloshing around inside.

 

Anyway, if it's dry or lumpy then you can just as well get rid of it, as it won't serve its purpose anymore.

[Odinson]

I got sets of Arisun ZRS 700Cx38 for my wife and I. Will run the setup tubed.

 

My bike is going to look very ***, but it will work.

[akneethling]

Do yiurself a favour. Invest in a cheap spare wheelset and fit the slicks to that. You can get them pretty cheap nowadays. You then have options for the future. A quick swop of wheels, and you're ready for the road. Don't ride on your knobblies......... you'll waste your hard earned money spent on those tyres..... ... And will have to replace them sooner rather than later. I got a spare set with Continental comfort contacts. ......... which are bulletproof. No thorn or glass has yet to spoil my ride.

[sdaghers]

Do the slick thing with tubes.

 

Of course the bonus is that you get to fiddle the next weekend putting back your knobblies and redoing your sealant, because, lets face it, you haven't checked it in ages and it probably needs to be done.

And while you are at it you can take off the cassette, give that a good scrub, check the bearings, clean and wipe down the skewer and all the other close up inspection stuff that needs doing once a year, at least

 

You right I haven't actually checked my sealant in ages and you can never get enough practise taking off and putting tubeless tyres on....

 

Thanks bru, gonna definitely use your advice!!

[akneethling]

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&do=view_item&item_id=110895

[Dirkitech]

I'm thinking of putting some cheap slicks that I have onto my ZTR rims which are running tubeless knobbly tyres at the moment. Will I be able to run the slicks tubeless or would I have to stick some tubes in there?

 

If the answer is both what would you recommend would be the best?

 

I don't even have tubeless for my mtb, but the rate I am going through mtb slick tubes because of piece of crap valves that keep breaking... get yourself a second cassette and set of wheels