Tubeless, OK I get it
After today's snakebite shortened ride I think I'm starting to see the benefits of running tubeless.
I didn't have a whole bunch of time this morning and truth be told I didn't really feel all that motivated for a ride. I went out anyway because we got another one of those amazing great days going here and I didn't want to let it get by me without at least checking out some trail action.
The plan was to ride for an hour. Just sixty minutes. And if you know me, you know if it's going to be a short ride it's going to be intense. I didn't waste much time warming up. It's been two days now since that last blue collar epic. I can take a deep breath without too much muscle soreness kicking in. Warming up was a breeze. My legs felt good right from "go" and within 10 minutes I was rocking and rolling.
My Karate Monkey and I had it dialed today too. Not only was the pedaling easy but I had that flow thing happening like nothing doing. I started thinking it was too bad I only had an hour for this particular ride. And that's just about where I flatted.
It was a good one too. I don't know what I hit but I had just screamed down an off-camber section of barely moist trail punctuated by the odd rock and root. On a couple of occasions I heard my rims ringing, which is a sound I don't remember ever hearing before - not with tires mounted that is. One of those ringers must have been the snake that bit me because when I rounded a corner and rolled onto a section of smooth dirt trail I heard that awful sound that says it's time for a 10 minute pit stop.
That pretty much tore it for the hour. A full CO2 cartridge filled my tire to the point it felt about like an overripe tomato. I'll say this, at a pressure that low the trail takes on a whole new feel.
I guess that's why so many people like running tubeless. There's no fear of flatting from snake bites even if you do run your tires low enough to bang the rims every once in a while; and you get that "I could climb a tree on these tires" low pressure traction.
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Actually...
Even running tubeless you can snake bite. Some guys hit hard enough that it snakebites the tire sidewalls. This is one of the big complaints that people give about non-UST tires. (currently there are no UST 29er tires)
That is one huge benefit to the tubeless thing though...that and the huge weight savings one gets when running a Stan's rim that requires no rim strip.
So help me out
Ok, I've been negating this subject for quit some time now. I'm really interested in running tubeless in my 29r. The main reason is the low flats which means less of a worry during a race. Knock on wood though this years race season has been good and I haven't had to worry about flats yet. But next race is at Landalh so I'm expecting one.
So what do I need in order to run tubless with the set up I have now? Special tires? Stans kit? Fill me in and give me a rough estimate on the cost. That's probably gonna be my next move.
stans rims have a rim strip.
stans rims have a rim strip. it is either their rubber one with a built in valve (which requires drilling) or their yellow tape which seals the valve holes and allows for a seperate valve. Mavic has a patent on the no rim strip design. Shimano worked around it with the spoke holes on the side. Bontrager uses the rubber (platic like) insert. Bontrager also makes tubeless ready 29R tires.
yes but...
The tubeless ready tires are not yet available, and the yellow tape is not exactly a rim strip and still results in a large weight savings.
The Mavics are around the corner, but they are not here yet...unless you can get a proto. set.
G, I will hook you up.
You need the Stans strips and the sealant. I have both. It is not something that you want to try right before a race. You will need to familiarize yourself with the system and the pitfalls before you get too carried away.
I give it a thumbs up, but there is a lot of learning that should be done before you dive in....perhaps.
Hell Yea's
Sweet, that would be awesome. I'd at least like to try it and if I like it I'll go ahead and go full bore and get the whole system.
You used to run tubeless didn't you? Why did you quit? So I suppose I can use the same tires as I have on now?
Yes
I used to run tubeless...I have several posts on the topic if you want to search my archives. Yes, you can use your tires...although that Kevlar beaded Ignitor might be problematic. The wire beaded ExiWolfs work nicely.
I have experienced most of the good and bad things about tubeless...I would say I experienced ALL the good and bad, but who can be sure. Anyway, I did tubeless for about a year and a half. It is great, but it requires regular addition of sealant, or else flats are certain.
Long story short, I got sick of the maintenance, and stuck tubes in. I have not missed it that much. Sure I would love to go back, but will probably do so with Stan's rims. They are easier to set up, lighter, and reportedly they burp less.
Getting the strips to seal up is a hassle at times...and I think I will be switching tires more often in the future...this is not a quick switch with the sealant, etc.
tubeless
Just search for tubeless.
Or you can click the tubeless tag, which will bring up all the articles tagged as tubeless.
Can someone tell me what
Can someone tell me what does UST stand for?
Universal System Tubeless
It is sort a patent name...like Shimano SPD pedals. UST is not the end-all be-all, but it is well designed, and seems to be the standard.
There is a new "tubeless ready" tire that will soon be available for 29ers, but it is essentially a regular tire that has beefed up tread shoulders (the casing is thicker in the shoulder and partially down the sidewall) that make it more resistant to pinching and tearing. The bead interface is unchanged from what I have read.
Hopefully, someone who knows more on the subject will correct me and post up some pictures.
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