REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Changing tires semi-regularly on tubeless

770 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Dan Gerous, Dec 22, 2009

kestrel242

Discussion Starter · Dec 22, 2009

Howdy,

Every once in awhile I get to debating whether I should make the jump to the "ghetto tubeless" bandwagon. The biggest obstacle remaining that I can think of is this - I use SB8 and Nevegal tires and change them up a few times a year depending on conditions. Also, except during vacations, I don't get to ride more than once a week, so figure I might ride perhaps a dozen times or so (maybe two dozen at the very most) before I need to switch.

With regular tubes, switching tires is no big deal. It sounds like switching tires in a tubeless application (particularly non-UST tires) might require too much effort relative to how much riding I'll get in before I need to switch again.

Then again, I wouldn't know since I've never attempted tubeless before. So the questions basically fall out along these lines:

1) What's your process for switching tires that you want to keep for later?
2) How messy does switching get? Is there a trick to storing the old tires neatly?
3) Does it take less/more/same effort to remount/reseal old tires?

Thanks in advance!

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

AL29er

· #2 · Dec 22, 2009

This topic has been covered before...

Tubeless adds very little time to tire swapping. Most of the time added has to do with cleaning and installing of sealant, which is optional if you use true UST.

Ghetto tubeless is IMO not so good for people who like to swap tires around. Of course that depends on the method used. Gorilla tape or Stan's conversions are fine for tire swapping. The split tube method is not as good as the tube usually gets a bit mangled and hard to keep in the same position as it was cut to the first time. I usually only get 1-2 mounts out of a ghetto setup with the split tube before I need to replace the tube.

That said, the split tube method holds air better and is less prone to burping. It also works on a wider range of rims.

Save

lexxmeister

· #3 · Dec 22, 2009

New wheelset

I want to build a new wheelset, amongst otherthings I want to use them in Spain where there are a lot of sharp rocks and thorns!!

The idea is using a Mavic EX823 (UST rim) in combination with regular (Non-UST) Highrollers (DH version - 2.35, steel bead, double ply for optimum protection of the sidewalls).
Additionally some Stan's sealant will probably stop the porous leaking of the tyre and gaps between tyre and rim.

Has anyone tried this or really knows how this combo holds up?

Save

Squash

· #4 · Dec 22, 2009

Nice attempt at a....

thread hijack lex! :nono:

kestrel,

For your situation tubeless may not be the best way to go. Frequent tire changes do take a bit more effort with a tubeless set up than with tubes. As AL29er noted, it's mostly the clean up and new sealant, unless you are using a full on UST set up where sealant is optional. But it does tend to get old after a while.

If you are not having a problem with pinch or puncture flats, then I'd say you'd most likely be better off stick with tubes. Your call though. Swapping tires with a tubeless set up isn't any harder, there are just more steps involved, and a bit more mess as well.

And you do have the improved performance benefits to consider as well. You just have to decide if the bit of extra work is worth it to you.

All you can do is try it and see. If you really like tubeless, then it'd be worth it no?

Your call.

Good Dirt

See less See more

Save

Dan Gerous

· #5 · Dec 22, 2009

I'd stick with tubes... or go full UST. I use UST tires and rims, no sealant and it doesn't take me anymore time to switch tires than when using tubes (which I still do on the road and the cross bike).

Save

1 - 5 of 5 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month