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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16 Responses to “Ways to go tubeless: A Roadmap”
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So, which are cost effective? Using a conversion or going with a pure UST set?
If you already have the wheels and compatible tires, then a conversion kit is usually the more cost effective route. However if you’re going to get new wheels, choosing a rim that will go tubeless is a good thing to consider.
I didn’t know that tubeless tires existed for bicycles.
Some pictures would of been nice.
Ghetto tubeless needs a better explanation:
Get an inner tube that is a little too small for your wheel. Slice that inner tube open. (If the tube were rolling along the ground, the line where the tube touches the ground.) Put that inner tube on your rim as normal. Stretch the cut edges around the rims. This should leave the inside surface of the rim coated with a sheet of rubber. Now install the tire. The edges of the tires should make contact with the sliced inner tube, making a seal. Inflate the tire as usual.
Converting standard rims is easy and very effective. Watch the videos on the Stan’s web site - UST is far from the best option.
I use what’s called here “Ghetto tubeless” with justridingalong.com’s Wheel Milk. £3 for a 100ml bottle does 2 wheels.
I’ve just completed TransScotland (May-June 2007) 500km mountain bike race with this setup and it was flawless on roots, rocks and in a high-speed crash. See my website above and save yourself cash.
al.
I expierimented with solid core tubes that went inside a standard bicycle tire and was shocked at the negative effect they had on the bikes glide. Every pedal became an effort, the moment you stopped pedaling, you ceased to move.
Do any of your tubless kits address this?
I was getting flats after every ride due to the goathead thorns in our area. I switched to Specialized Armadillo Elites over a year ago and have yet to get a flat. What is the benefit of going tubeless? Tubeless tires can still get flats and there’s no way to fix them when you’re miles from civilization.
What are the advantages of tubeless over tubed? Aside from the pressure loss and flats… anything else? Also, is this just for Mountain Bikes or can this be adapted (and would it be a good idea too) for road bikes?
Obviously, nothing is absolutely flatproof so what happens if you get a flat on a tubeless tire? Can you patch it like you’d normally do a tube?
There is an article on ghetto tubeless being written now. There’s also one about the advantages of tubeless over tubed.
Expect to see both articles here in the next few days. Thanks for the comments!
so you sure tubles doesnt get flats … ?
i never knew that …
kewl …
do tubeless tires really get less flats? I kind of doubt that, I would think they simply are easier to deal with.
Of course you can flat a tubeless tyre. But in my experience I can’t pinch flat a tubeless tyre - that’s the number 1 benefit for me. Second, and unexpectedly, the *feel* of tubeless is massively better. Whilst easier rolling, it also ‘wraps around’ the terrain better.
Well, if you don’t suffer from pinch flats then don’t bother. If you do, do!
al.
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I got a flat on a tubless and its as easy to fix as plugging it up while there is air in it..Now if the bead breaks and you are near nothing you’re pretty much Fubar’d