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Ok, dumb question re: tubeless setup on my new bike

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Finch Platte

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm fairly new to the tubeless game. Had a used Specialized that was set up tubeless when I bought it, and I had no complaints. I never had to do too much to them, so I don't have much experience with the whole setup.

I just got a Niner RIP 9 through Jenson and it arrived today. It has Maxxis Ardent - 29 X 2.40 - 60 TPI tires on Niner Alloy rims (that's all the specs I have on those). My question is, are they set up tubeless now? If so, how do I tell? For all I know, they could have tubes in them. Is there a way to tell without taking the tires off or running them through an MRI machine?

I know, I could ask Niner or Jenson, but I figured this would be faster.

Thank yew betty munch.
 
#2 ·
If the valve core on the Presta valve is removable, it is tubeless. You can tell by seeing if the top of the valve core, below the sealing nut thingy, has flat spots on two sides. They are there to help unscrew the valve core so you can inject sealant without breaking the bead.
 
#3 ·
Keep in mind that not all tubeless valves have removable cores. My Easton wheels came with valves that did not have removable cores.

I haven't come across wheels that came shipped with tubeless already set up. The higher end bikes I received that came with tubeless ready rims all had tubes installed in them. The tubeless valves came in a separate plastic bag.
 
#8 ·
Finch Platte said:
But then I'll need a compressor to air them back up, right?

If there's tubeless gunk in them, I mean.
Click to expand...
first, every tube i've used has a removable core, so that won't tell you much.

second, if you just break the bead on one side to look inside, you should be able to air it back up with a floor pump. new tires can be finicky to set up the first time but tires that have been mounted for at least a couple days set up much easier.

a few of my friends new bikes came "tubeless ready" but came with tubes in them. i take it there were no tubeless valves included in the bag-o-parts?
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
*OneSpeed* said:
first, every tube i've used has a removable core, so that won't tell you much.

second, if you just break the bead on one side to look inside, you should be able to air it back up with a floor pump. new tires can be finicky to set up the first time but tires that have been mounted for at least a couple days set up much easier.

a few of my friends new bikes came "tubeless ready" but came with tubes in them. i take it there were no tubeless valves included in the bag-o-parts?
Click to expand...
No, there were not.

A couple of other parts came in a bag, a chain and a handlebar, should I put them on? (That was an homage to Picard ;) )
 
#17 ·
another fun way to figure it out. inflate to 40psi, remove core, look for poof of white powder due to explosive decompression.

it's got to have tubes in it. they wouldn't try to set it up at the factory. that wouldn't make any sense.

you could also probably loosen the valve nut a little and push the valve in to see if it pushes back= tube in there. if a bunch of air rushes out, it's tubeless and i'm sorry.
 
#19 ·
NYrr496 said:
I'd bet money it is not tubeless. No one lets a bike sit in a box or on a display stand tubeless. They have tubes in them. Who knows how long before that bike gets sold.
Click to expand...
This

And no question is a dumb question. Well, except maybe this one.
 
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