Converting to tubeless (MTB)
Discussion
I recently bought a second hand Stumpjumper Pro with Mavic UST rims but normal tyres and tubes. After three punctures in 10 minutes at Innerleithen, i've decided to go tubeless. Bought a set of Schwalbe UST tyres, mavic valves and some cafe latex sealant, but the previous owner of the bike has glued/bonded one side of each tyre to the rims - not something i've seen before.
As you can probably guess i'm a complete novice at this stuff. Before i end up ruining my (apparently quite expensive) rims trying to get the old tyres off, i thought i'd check with you guys to see if theres a proper way to do this?
much appreciated
UremaW
As you can probably guess i'm a complete novice at this stuff. Before i end up ruining my (apparently quite expensive) rims trying to get the old tyres off, i thought i'd check with you guys to see if theres a proper way to do this?
much appreciated
UremaW
OK. Are you sure the tyres are glued on one side ? I also have UST Mavics, and, presumably to produce a good seal in UST tubeless mode, the wheels do grip the bead of the tyres quite strongly.
Once you've broken the seal on one bead, try pulling the tyre away from the other bead with your fingers. It should peel away, but can require some force.
Once you've broken the seal on one bead, try pulling the tyre away from the other bead with your fingers. It should peel away, but can require some force.
Went for Cafe Latex sealant on the recommendation of my LBS, but haven't been able to use it yet. After 3 hours trying to get the tyres onto the rims (Racing Ralph was fine, Nobby Nic was a nightmare) i discovered my handpump wasn't strong enough to get the tyres to 'pop' onto the beads. Gonna have to take them in to the bike shop to get them to pump them up properly.
Spot the newbie...
Spot the newbie...
Anyone used the stans notubes kit for non-tubeless tires & rims?
Thinking of doing this on my mavic xm719 rims and buying some new conti speed kings, I'm getting far too many punctures on my current Bontrager ACX Jones's and hoping this will help without having to run slime tubes.
Never had a pinch flat, always a piece of flint just getting through the carcass on the main treaded area (Which is removed before replacing and/or repairing the tube before you ask).
Just not sure it will add any advantage for this type of puncture protection.
Thinking of doing this on my mavic xm719 rims and buying some new conti speed kings, I'm getting far too many punctures on my current Bontrager ACX Jones's and hoping this will help without having to run slime tubes.
Never had a pinch flat, always a piece of flint just getting through the carcass on the main treaded area (Which is removed before replacing and/or repairing the tube before you ask).
Just not sure it will add any advantage for this type of puncture protection.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 September 16:26
I use the Stan's kit with EX721 rims and Maxxis High Roller tyres. I've not had a puncture since. I do have the slight problem of them losing pressure slowly but I suspect I just haven't used enough sealant and the tyres are pretty porous. It's not a problem for a typical 2-3 hour ride though. I think some tyres are better than others for keeping air in without tubes.
The sealant is designed to plug normal punctures. Check out the videos on their website.
The sealant is designed to plug normal punctures. Check out the videos on their website.
anniesdad said:
+1 on the nobby nics! Had to start again the following day to get one on, as I was beaten up! Rims were/are a 5.1D
Anybody used wheelpro up in lancs? I'm considering buying some ZTR flow rims Hope hoops and getting wheelpro to make them tubeless ready (£10 charge)
Yes, just got some Hope Hoops from him, good service although I had to wait for stock. He fitted the rim tape and included the no tubes fluid etc. Good value if you look at other suppliers. Anybody used wheelpro up in lancs? I'm considering buying some ZTR flow rims Hope hoops and getting wheelpro to make them tubeless ready (£10 charge)
As long as you dont mind looking like an idiot it is possible with a track pump - I have done this before. I have also used a compressor, which led to both myself and a friend being coated in stans gloopy white fluid as the tyre overinflated in a couple of seconds and popped off the rim. Also left me with ringing ears and numb fingers from holding the tyre when it popped off.
I converted to tubeless 2 weeks ago.
Joe's No Flats (inc Rim Strips)
Mavic UST Rims
Conti Mountain Kings (1 year old)
I'm disappointed. I can't get the tyres to hold more than 1 bar pressure over a day. Pumping them up to 3 bar before a ride and they're OK, but don't hold pressure overnight. I've really tried to get the sealant onto all the leaks, but without complete success. The sidewalls were initially VERY porous, but no obvious leaks now.
Any ideas what I can do? I understand that it's not recommended to use older tyres, but I can't see why.
I'm reluctant to go to full UST tyres because of the weight penalty.
Actually riding tubeless is noticeably better - more grip, no real loss in speed despite lower pressure, no worries about snake-bites.
Joe's No Flats (inc Rim Strips)
Mavic UST Rims
Conti Mountain Kings (1 year old)
I'm disappointed. I can't get the tyres to hold more than 1 bar pressure over a day. Pumping them up to 3 bar before a ride and they're OK, but don't hold pressure overnight. I've really tried to get the sealant onto all the leaks, but without complete success. The sidewalls were initially VERY porous, but no obvious leaks now.
Any ideas what I can do? I understand that it's not recommended to use older tyres, but I can't see why.
I'm reluctant to go to full UST tyres because of the weight penalty.
Actually riding tubeless is noticeably better - more grip, no real loss in speed despite lower pressure, no worries about snake-bites.
Tyres that are not designed to be used as tubeless do not form a really tight fit on the rim (Generally), they are porus and take a lot of latex to stop them bleeding air and old tyres are generally shredded and have more holes than a tea bag.
2 solutions
1)get propper UST tyres
2) fill it up wit 2-3 times the usual amount of latex solution.
Exen propper UST tyres take a little time to "bed in" and will need inflating every week or so.
Remember tubeless does not prevent you getting a puncture it just seals the hole and you dont know you have had a puncture. Every hole sealed will leak a little pressure and latex from your tyre so you need to check tyres.
2 solutions
1)get propper UST tyres
2) fill it up wit 2-3 times the usual amount of latex solution.
Exen propper UST tyres take a little time to "bed in" and will need inflating every week or so.
Remember tubeless does not prevent you getting a puncture it just seals the hole and you dont know you have had a puncture. Every hole sealed will leak a little pressure and latex from your tyre so you need to check tyres.
From personal experience some tyres take to tubeless far better than others.
Regular Maxxis tyres have very 'gummy' sidewalls and as such they are ideal for a no-tubes setup.
Theres no need to run UST tyres on a notubes setup. And thats not with gallons of sealant either.
Also - Specialized do a range of tyres that work great too, not UST compatible but with similarly 'gummy' sidewalls - 2bliss i think they call it. Again, I've used these successfully with notubes rims and rim strips.
Regular Maxxis tyres have very 'gummy' sidewalls and as such they are ideal for a no-tubes setup.
Theres no need to run UST tyres on a notubes setup. And thats not with gallons of sealant either.
Also - Specialized do a range of tyres that work great too, not UST compatible but with similarly 'gummy' sidewalls - 2bliss i think they call it. Again, I've used these successfully with notubes rims and rim strips.
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