Ways to go tubeless: A Roadmap
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The tubeless industry has literally exploded since Mavic’s introduction of the UST rim in 1999. Conversions, sealants, UST-specific rims and wheelsets have given the tubeless rider more options than ever. With so many choices, here’s a brief summary of what’s available.
Tubeless specific wheelsets and wheelgoods
UST wheelsets – Mavic’s Universal Standard for Tubeless (UST) design in their CrossMax, CrossTrail, CrossLand, and DeeMax wheelsets is probably one of the easiest ways to go tubeless. It’s as simple as buying a new set of wheels. Tubeless use requires UST specific tires which are generally heavier than tubed tires. Thicker sidewalls and a strong bead allow these tires to be ridden without any sealant. Using tubed tires on these wheels can be done by putting in a tube or a conversion kit.
UST compatible rims – Mavic and several other rim manufacturers produce UST rims giving you the choice of going tubeless with your next wheel build. Like the above UST wheelsets these require UST tires.
Conversion Kits
DT Swiss tubeless conversion kit – allows you to convert a DT Swiss rim into a UST compatible rim. It requires the use of a sealant and a specialized rim strip.
Bontrager’s Tubeless Ready – Keith Bontrager’s at it again, bringing tubeless to the masses with Tubeless Ready line of products. This is a conversion kit with specialized rim strip and Super Juice tire sealant. The key difference is that Tubeless Ready wheels are designed with thinner sidewalls to save weight but requires the use of the Super Juice sealant.
Stan’s NoTubes – Stan’s conversion kits give riders a possibly inexpensive way to go tubeless by letting them use their existing wheels and tires. If the
wheels and tires are compatible. Fortunately, Stans is compatible with the widest set of rims and tire manufacturers. They have several models of rimstrips for a variety of rim designs including XC, Freeride, Downhill, and 29′er. Stan’s can use standard tires with sealant. Stan also seems to be a weight weenie at heart with many weight saving rim, rimstrip and tire options.
Ghetto tubeless – A homemade tubeless conversion kit made of sacrificed BMX tubes and modeling latex for sealant. One of the cheapest ways to go tubeless but no manufacturer to complain to or get support from if things go wrong.
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