This is where I'm at. Got a really old Lou that keeps on working, so I just use the tube method and ride it another year from November - Jan *when the ice comes and the Johnny 5 studded goes on). I keep the tire inside when its not on the bike so they last a long time for me.Surly did release a tubeless (ready) version of these no? The problem is they last so damn long so it's hard to justify replacing them if it's just an hour of your time that is needed.
I'm a huge fan of the 4.8 JJ as a rear tire. I ride a lot, and ride mainly semi tracked trails that need grip and float. I honesty haven't met any another other riders in my area with more aggressive rear tires where I feel they have an advantage for float and grip. The key for the JJ on the rear is getting the pressure right. Too high and it really isn't very good, though that is the case with most tires.Jumbo Jims absolutely aren't junk in the right circumstances, at least here in the North East. I love how fast they are, add some cushion, great grip over granite boulders and roots, and are light. Going back to my 29er, takes a while to get confidence back at speed.
Do you ride snow as well? My friend has 4.8 JJ and ridden with me a few times in snow. I notice him washing out in the front compared to my Bud and Lou. If I were to replace my 4.0 JJs, I'd probably go 4.8 to raise the bottom bracket and leave on for snow and skip the worst days.I'm a huge fan of the 4.8 JJ as a rear tire. I ride a lot, and ride mainly semi tracked trails that need grip and float. I honesty haven't met any another other riders in my area with more aggressive rear tires where I feel they have an advantage for float and grip. The key for the JJ on the rear is getting the pressure right. Too high and it really isn't very good, though that is the case with most tires.
As for the front, that's where you want something aggressive for control. I still haven't found anything better than a bud up front. It's a really nice combo IME.
yeah, I only ride snow with this setup. A JJ would be useless on the front. 100% Bud on the front - I haven't found a better front tire.Do you ride snow as well? My friend has 4.8 JJ and ridden with me a few times in snow. I notice him washing out in the front compared to my Bud and Lou. If I were to replace my 4.0 JJs, I'd probably go 4.8 to raise the bottom bracket and leave on for snow and skip the worst days.
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Hmmm, I have no issue in seating tires on my, by todays standards, classic Rolling Darryl's. Two pair of Bud/Lou and two pair of JJ 4.8 liteskin are no issue.Season 4, and I grow to hate these tires more each and every year. Yes, I know they aren't made to be tubeless, but eventually they get there. Compared to the 4" Jumbo Jims, these things are just bears. Terrible to mount, slow and draggy.
I keep saying it, but this might be my last attempt to mount before I leave them permanently mounted and buy 29+ for the Spring. Only hesitation is the constant talk of 29+ going away.
Anywho, any magical tricks short of tubes first? The tires are so loose, I'm afraid one side would come off the rim just pulling out the tube. I have bungee cords TIGHT around the tire to hold it flat. I'm not using sealant to mount because of the mess with these tires, using an air compressor, etc.
This... its a 2 min job to inflate with the the tube in, and then lay the tyre with the loose bead on the down side on top of a bucket, allowing you to pull the bead toward the seat with your hands.whats wrong with putting in a tube first t seat one side good, removing the tube, and then inflating tubeless?
Ideally, yes. My struggle was that Bud/Lou are loose new, and after 3/4 seasons, WAY too loose. Bead didnt stay set even airing down, let alone pulling a tube out. Oh well, survived this round.This... its a 2 min job to inflate with the the tube in, and then lay the tyre with the loose bead on the down side on top of a bucket, allowing you to pull the bead toward the seat with your hands.
That sounds like the OG tire experience I had. Leaked sealant around the bead/rim and made a hella mess with fly paper adhesive residue like scum all over the sidewalls of my tires. Whadda mess. (said in a Duke Nukem voice)I replaced the worn out Lou on the rear with a new Lou last year. Not sure if the original Lou was tubeless, but the new one was marked "Tubeless Ready". I had a hell of a time with sealant leaking at the rim during riding. I thought maybe it was due to dried out sealant residue on the rim, so I unmounted it, cleaned the rim and tire well, and remounted. Still leaked.
I had to put 2 wraps of tape on the rim bead shelf to get a tight enough fit to stop the sealant leaking at the rim during riding. In speaking with others, the consensus was that last winter's batch of Lous fit loose.
