[shawnkeeler]

I live in Phoenix, and ride through the desert trails here. Just got my 2009 XXIX yesterday. Literally yesterday. Couldn't wait to get it out on the trails, and I got flats this morning on both tires!!! Had to walk it home 2.3 miles. I know a lot of folks are talking about tubeless set ups, but I just dropped $800.00 on this puppy and don't have the money to spend on a tubeless system yet. I need new tubes so I can get back out there soon.

What are some affordable but good tubes to run? Also, is there a sealant I can put in even though they're presta valves?

Thank you!

An SS 29er newbie.

 

[Rucker61]

You can get 29er Slime tubes.

 

[azpoolguy]

Tubeless is the only option here. I've been running the Panaracer Rampage and Bontrager XDX tubeless for 3 years now with either Stan's or homebrew tire sealant. I got tired of patching multiple tubes per ride. There are lots of inexpensive tubeless conversion option now. Just use durable tires or buy Spicialized tires from a good dealer. They will warranty every sliced tire you have.

 

[Dial Tone]

29er Slime tubes works for me. During the summer my local trail is teeming with goatheads. Just pull out the thorns, spin the tires until the hissing and bubbling stops and continue riding.

Another option is to get tubes with removable cores and pour in sealant inside.

 

[AZTtripper]

Slime brand 29r tubes are only rated to 2.1" I found that they did not work well in a 2.3" tire like the Rampage. The only thing we (friends and LBS) could think of was that they were spread to thin by the bigger tire. One LBS here in Tucson ABE carries a 29x2.3" tube plain so no sealant but with schrader valves. I by Stan's no Tubes and put 2 oz in each tube works like a charm I have ridden hundreds of miles on the most thorn infested trails with little or no problems.

 

[Dial Tone]

Mine is inside a WTB Exiwolf 2.3's and its been almost 2 years of flat free riding.

YMMV.

 

[mtnbiker72]

You can also purchase Q-Tubes 29" x 1.9-2.3" presta tubes with removable valve cores and inject your sealant of choice. I would recommend Slime, Flat Attack, or Airlock as sealants in tubes (I used Airlock for a couple years down in Vegas when I was going to college and it worked great). Stans and other latex based products work but also dry out in the tube, you can add more but it leaves behind the old stuff.

 

[rockcrusher]

buy any 29er tube, even use your existing tube.

Purchase a bottle of slime for tubes (not the tubeless variety).

Take a pair of pliers and carefully unscrew the presta valve stem nut off the threaded valve core stem.

Keep your finger under the valve stem through the tube so you can feel the hole on the other side.

Take your bottle of slime and put it over the valve stem and squeeze. You will feel the valve stem slide down onto your finger tip. Relax your finger a bit until you feel the slime begin to fill the tube.

Pump in your 4oz or whatever you desire trying not to lose the valve in the process.

When you have gotten your slime filled place the valve cap over the valve stem and shake the valve core out so the threaded stem is visible. Add the valve nut back and thread it back on, make sure to crimp the stem so that the valve stem nut doesn't come off again.

If you lose the core in the tube you can find it again and work it back to the valve stem and just shake it out as mentioned before.

This has worked for me for years and costs about $5 to do about 3 tubes to 4oz each.

Tubeless is a great option but is much more expensive and can be tough to set up depending on your tire rim combo but unlike Slime tubes also protects from pinch flats but does not allow easy swapping of tires nor does it allow protection from sliced sidewalls.

 

[frorider]

Tubeless is a great option but is much more expensive.

wrong.

but otherwise your post had some good info for the OP.
:thumbsup:

 

[rockcrusher]

wrong.

but otherwise your post had some good info for the OP.
:thumbsup:

I dunno I would have a hard time getting my non-tubeless wheels tubeless for around $5 no matter what, sealant and tape alone would push me over that. For $5 I get 2 tubes in the bike and a spare in my bag. All good as long as I don't pinch flat.

 

[mitzikatzi]

Continental Presta tubes have removable valve cores which I have added Stans too. Prefilled slime tubes have also worked for me.

 

[KRob]

wrong.

I agree with frorider. By time you buy slime, slime tubes, or keep replacing tubes you'll be spending just as much money or more.

Just go tubeless. If you have tubless ready (UST) rims, just remove the tubes and re-install the tires with sealant (about $15 for a quart of Stan's). If you need to convert, just buy two 20 or 24 inch tubes and follow the ghetto conversion instructions floating around here somewhere. We're talking $20 tops.

Best thing I've done to prevent thorn punctures (slime tubes did not work that well for me and are pricey).

 

[Raybum]

get a roll of gorilla tape, a quart of stans ($15 pricepoint), and a couple presta tubes that you can cut the valves from..
Split the tape in 1/2 lengthwise and tape over the spoke holes in the rim...put it tight and work out all the air. Overlap the ends by about 8".
cut a small hole over the valve stem and insert the stem that you've cut out of a tube. Leave about 1/8" of rubber around the stem. use the knurled nut to fasten the stem to the rim.
Mount the tire, leaving a small part of the bead open and pour in stans (4 oz). Using a compressor, air it up and get it to seat.

That's it...cheap, easy tubeless. Been using that for over a year with no problems.
Oh, and there's plenty of youtube vids to show you this method tool...

 

[scienceseuss]

just did a 40 mile ride on my new Gorilla Tape + stans/slime/glitter sealant mix, with no problems. I'd say I spent about $25 on this setup. We'll see how it holds up over time, but it seem like its gonna be great. Of course, YMMV.

- Jared

 

[B-RAY]

just did a 40 mile ride on my new Gorilla Tape + stans/slime/glitter sealant mix, with no problems. I'd say I spent about $25 on this setup. We'll see how it holds up over time, but it seem like its gonna be great. Of course, YMMV.

- Jared

Hey Jarred how goes it man long time sice we rode, Big Boulder and I are probaly are going to Tahoe Saturday. Were did you get in 40 miles? Iam going to buy gorilla tape and sealant today. Hope all is well with ya.

 

[Boyonabyke]

I live in Phoenix, and ride through the desert trails here. Just got my 2009 XXIX yesterday. Literally yesterday. Couldn't wait to get it out on the trails, and I got flats this morning on both tires!!! Had to walk it home 2.3 miles. I know a lot of folks are talking about tubeless set ups, but I just dropped $800.00 on this puppy and don't have the money to spend on a tubeless system yet. I need new tubes so I can get back out there soon.

What are some affordable but good tubes to run? Also, is there a sealant I can put in even though they're presta valves?

Thank you!

An SS 29er newbie.

Do a search on "ghetto tubeless" here, and also do a search on "Wades Secret Sauce" sealant. Arizona has unique, harsh challenges with the heat of summer, on tire sealants. It flat out dries up Stans sealant in short order during the summer time bakeathon temperatures.