Tubeless conversions - really worth it?

[Johan Bornman]

I agree with Hog's observations about the Stan's strips. Creases - check, Gunk that has to be cleaned off first - check. Changed schape - check, changed Width - check.

 

The Stan's rubber seems to be only partially vulcanised, leaving it soft and pliable which is good first time you install, but crap second time.

 

I've converted to ghetto but have not yet attempted to re-do the conversion after a while. Even so, I think I'll just ditch the stip and do another new one.

 

[manbearpig]

If it wasn't broken in the first place why'd you try fix it? If the tyre tread is ok just top up the sealant through the valve with a syringe and pipe next time.

[Iwan Kemp]

I have been riding Stans rims & conversion for over two years without a single puncture or issue. I (mostly) ride UST Kenda Nevegals and they don't loose pressure. Can run them as low as I want / like without the sidewall "rolling" in corners and berms. Haven't tried anything else so I can't comment, but I've seen the need to.

[Gerhardc]

I went tubeless earlier in the year....got me some Shimano XT's rims, Stans and Maxxis UST Crossmark tyres.....best investment ever!!!!.....top up every 3 months on Stans and BOB IS INDEED YOUR UNCLE!!!

[Tumbleweed]

If it wasn't broken in the first place why'd you try fix it? If the tyre tread is ok just top up the sealant through the valve with a syringe and pipe next time.

 

hog's just upset cos he can't run his tyres at low pressures without them "burping".

 

i use joe's on one of my bikes, and not a single problem in three years. i refill sealant - joe's and oko - by popping off of a small section of the tyre. never had a hassle.

[chuck]

Use Stans and have installed my 2nd back tyre with the same strip. No issues. In between I have removed to fix sidewall cuts and still no issues. My strips fit like a glove and there is no stickiness, the sealant rinse off with water.

[markStockton]

Hoggster, I couldn't disagree with you more. Since I've converted to tubeless I've had very little hassles with the tires on my mtb. I used to regularly pick up pinch flats which was a major pain. I also had to run my tire pressures pretty hard which caused the front end of the bike to wash out pretty easily.

 

I think the only mistake you made was trying to fix something that wasn't broken. I only use Stans or Joes sealant, and the only maintanenace I do on the wheels / tires to periodically clean the valve core and top up sealant. I only do this when I notice abnormal preasure loss.

 

I definilty wouldn't ride an MTB any other way.  

[Yang]

Let's be honest with ourselves for a little while.

Tubeless conversions are CRAP.

I serviced the 'Goose over the last few days. Did the wheels today. First thing that you'll notice is the tyre and the liner have fused together like glue. They're pretty much 1 unit. So you pry the wheel off the rim' date=' then tear the strip off the tyre. Great, now EVERYTHING is sticky. You do your best to clean the strip and the tyre, but it would be easier to just set them on fire and buy new ones.

Now comes re-installation. Only this time the strips aren't flat any more, they have creases long the length. The tyres are still sticky, so the sidewalls are sticking to each other. The strips stick to the tyres and the whole damn lot stick to you. Once you finally manage to seat the tyre inside the strip, you try to get enough sealant in through the valve, but that doesn't happen as the sealant seals the valve hole.

Finally get enough sealant in, shake and spin everything around and grab the pump. You pump like a madman for about 2 minutes until the thing finally seals. Now half the sealant is on the floor, but you can't care any more.


Now here's my point: You go through all this effort to run tubeless. The main benefit of tubeless is lower tyre pressure, but do we ever really run our tyre pressures THAT low? I don't. Even when I used to have slime tubes I ran similar pressures and only once had a pinch flat. Never had a puncture because it sealed anyway.

Anyone care to convince me that tubeless conversions aren't a waste of time?

[/quote']

 

Any cartoonists on the Hub? There are a few panels here.

 

BTW, someone asked the? What about sealant filled tubes?

[Tumbleweed]

Let's be honest with ourselves for a little while.

Tubeless conversions are CRAP.

I serviced the 'Goose over the last few days. Did the wheels today. First thing that you'll notice is the tyre and the liner have fused together like glue. They're pretty much 1 unit. So you pry the wheel off the rim' date=' then tear the strip off the tyre. Great, now EVERYTHING is sticky. You do your best to clean the strip and the tyre, but it would be easier to just set them on fire and buy new ones.

Now comes re-installation. Only this time the strips aren't flat any more, they have creases long the length. The tyres are still sticky, so the sidewalls are sticking to each other. The strips stick to the tyres and the whole damn lot stick to you. Once you finally manage to seat the tyre inside the strip, you try to get enough sealant in through the valve, but that doesn't happen as the sealant seals the valve hole.

Finally get enough sealant in, shake and spin everything around and grab the pump. You pump like a madman for about 2 minutes until the thing finally seals. Now half the sealant is on the floor, but you can't care any more.


Now here's my point: You go through all this effort to run tubeless. The main benefit of tubeless is lower tyre pressure, but do we ever really run our tyre pressures THAT low? I don't. Even when I used to have slime tubes I ran similar pressures and only once had a pinch flat. Never had a puncture because it sealed anyway.

Anyone care to convince me that tubeless conversions aren't a waste of time?

[/quote']

 

Any cartoonists on the Hub? There are a few panels here.

 

BTW, someone asked the? What about sealant filled tubes?

maybe TREAD's cartoonist can do a character based on hog

[Bike Mob]

The best thing is that you're doing all the hassle work AT HOME. Out on the actual ride you are not bothered with any of this.

 

I put my sealant in while the tire is not fully beaded, so don't gum up the valves.

 

Yes I run lower pressures as a result.

 

No do don't carry any spares tubes on a ride or a patch kit. I take one bomb. In case of burps. that's it.

 

Tubeless should be standard equipment. tubes are from the dark ages like permatubes (those high density foam jobs - I remember those were damn heavy and took ages to actually get into a tire!)

 

 

 

 

[dirtrider]

Only problem I ever had with Stans strip was the valve breaking out . When re-using make sure the strip is clean . Joe strips are another thing , they do not like getting used over and over . Insulation tape works well if done properly and so does the Big-Ben Ghetto setup . 1.9 has also never been a problem for me but if you not using a tubeless rim/tyre combination and you got no compressor at home stick to yes-tubes .

[AndreZA]

Untill I actually have trouble with tubes, I will stay with them. 2.5 years and I have never needed to fix a puncture/replace tube on my bike.

[Hog_]

 

maybe TREAD's cartoonist can do a character based on hog

 

You'll need to size the mag up to A3 to fit in my beer gut.

 

 

 

[Yang]

Untill I actually have trouble with tubes' date=' I will stay with them. 2.5 years and I have never needed to fix a puncture/replace tube on my bike.[/quote']

 

Is that tubes with or without sealant? I have been using ordinary tubes for years with very few punctures as well, and only recently got tubes with sealant, at R75 each.

[capecyclist]

From Stan's website: "If you are interested in rotating weight (and who's not!!) you can lose

anywhere from 100 grams up to 400 grams of rotating weight per wheel

set." - (not sure if this can REALLY be felt from my side)

 

more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_performance

http://analyticcycling.com/WheelsConcept_Page.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_wheel

 

that, and the fact I can run my tyres at nearly half the pressure I used to with tubes, I never get pinch flats anymore and have not had a puncture in a long time, is why I'll never go back to tubes again. It's a messy job to install them, and some tyres have walls that never properly seal (where I've read some guys add extra glitter to the mix). Ive seen some tyres blister as well, but, when it works, it's the best upgrade you can make to a bike.

 

The ghetto conversion is brilliant too. A bunch of guys who rode the freedom challenge used this method to great effect.

 

 

[dirtrider]

Yang we all know that sugar cane does not have thorns !! Mampara rides on the pavement most of the time anyway .