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November, 2024

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Should I start using tubeless tires?

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WI_Personallty
Posts: 881 - Karma: 161
So I've been running kenda nevegals on my mtb. So far this year I've had 3 pinch flats. I'm running the right tire pressure for what I ride daily. I know bontrager makes a good kit I can use. Should I start running tubeless tires? I am talking with my local mechanic about what I can do to avoid more pinch flats? Can anyone recommend a great all mountain tire (tubeless of course)? Is there anything else I can do?
Aug 12 2013 10:49PM
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Raz.
Posts: 7456 - Karma: 1,611
want to know this for track bikes as well
Aug 12 2013 10:50PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
YES! You can run low pressure, cut weight, have less rolling resistance, eliminate pinch flats, and get a way smoother ride. It's probably the best thing I've done to my bike.

I used Stan's tape and valves, and it sealed up really easily.
Aug 12 2013 11:26PM
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Dauminator
Posts: 35 - Karma: 81
Just do this http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday-Gorilla-Tape-Tubeless-Conversion.html
Aug 12 2013 11:46PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
Yes, but do not use Bontrager's kit! That stuff makes a big mess and takes forever to seal. Get yourself the Stan's NoTubes kit with tape for your specific rim size. Even with non-UST rims you can just put two layers of the tape on and it will work great. I've been running Stan's in my Azonic Outlaw rims with non-UST Minion tires and have never had an issue with popping the seal, even at pressures as low as 25psi.
Aug 13 2013 12:04AM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15082 - Karma: 9,170
Yes, and again a recommendation on Stan's. Reasons already covered. Just do it.
Aug 13 2013 12:39AM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
I am still on the fence a bit here.

I run Kenda Nevegal Sticky Rubber with Stans tubeless on my XC ride and swear by them. I will never use another tire for that. They've held up ride after ride and few little punctures seal right up

On my DH bike I am finding that when a DH tire fails, it is usually catastrophic and a little bit of goop will not save you anyways. My current setup there is a set of DH tubes in UST Maxis Highrollers on a Mavic UST rims. This was a temp fix after puncturing both my main and backup tubeless tires and still wanting to ride, but at the moment working well and haven't flatted it yet. I have to run slightly higher pressure but still well within the range of what works for the riding.

Again the advantages on XC are great and makes for an amazing combination, DH has it's pros and cons.

I wouldn't go out of my way to swap out a current setup just for the sake of doing it, but if you are already needing to change out tubes or rims go for it
Aug 13 2013 11:44AM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
i think i'm going to make the switch also

3 pinch flats in 3 consecutive trips really pissed me off
Aug 13 2013 12:17PM
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MacMahoooon
Posts: 9009 - Karma: 3,305
There are hugely different qualities of tubes as well. Spending an extra dollar on a better one will save you tons of headaches in the end.
Aug 13 2013 12:46PM
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WI_Personallty
Posts: 881 - Karma: 161
The main reason I'm making the switch is because I'm getting stranded 10 miles out on the trails and have to hike all the way back. This last time the rim bent from getting the rest of the down hill line I was already on. So it's time to switch. I'm going to try this stans thing I'm hearing about.

Aug 13 2013 3:49PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
This is HUGELY important.

I run tubes on my trail bike. I tip the scales at 190 lbs and am usually running right around 28-30 psi in the rear with 2.25" Maxxis ADvantage tires. I have yet to have them fail with a pinch flat since changing to quality tubes.

I actually just had my first flat two weeks ago after two years of riding 3-4x a week. The failure occurred at the valve stem, not a pinch. Before I started buying quality tubes I went with the cheapest that were offered, and I was pinching, despite running much higher pressures.
Aug 13 2013 4:07PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Sounds like at minimum you need a set of tire levers, a mini-pump and a spare tube. No one should ever be walking their bike out because of a flat.

And even with tubeless, I'd still carry a spare tube, mini-pump and levers because all it takes is just the right tear for the tubeless to be rendered useless and walking a bike out sucks, hard.
Aug 13 2013 4:10PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
i always have a spare so i've yet to be stranded but my hand pump blows (i hear co2 is nice tho).  but yeah 10 miles out could suck

i never paid much attention to the quality of tube just picked up what was available at the lbs and went on, patch when needed.  what frustrated me was not having a single flat for 3-4 years and then having one a week for three weeks straight so am really considering the change


Aug 13 2013 4:19PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
i've never really understood co2....marginal weight/space savings and when it's out it's out...seems like a mini-pump would be the better solution all-around
Aug 13 2013 4:29PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
my hand pump takes forever to fill a tube.  after pumping forever i usually can only get it to about 15 psi and then give up to pedal out cautiously to my real pump.  i thought co2 was supposed to fill quicker but i could be wrong. 

but i agree, a mini-pump should be the more fail-safe solution.  maybe mine's just a piece of shit.  i also havent ruled out operator error
Aug 13 2013 4:40PM
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james6345789
Posts: 4763 - Karma: 467
Co2 is great it's smaller and fills much quicker. I always carry 2 cartridges.
Aug 13 2013 4:52PM
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bermbuster49
Posts: 7445 - Karma: 90
stans no tubes all the way for XC!!!


I probably have had like 30 fucking flats since i got my bike 2 years ago. Since stan's no-tubes: 0 flats.

I was skeptical at first, but its awesome! Also like Mac said, idk about no tubes for your DH bike.


i wish they made BIB's for MTN bike like they do for my dirtbike, i haven't had a flat on my dirtbike in years!
Aug 13 2013 4:58PM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
Seriously for like daily DH tubeless isnt necessary. I mean unless your doing races you the weight you save is not that great.

I run a maxxis DH tube with Continental Der Kaisers on a sunringle rim on about 1.5 tyre pressure and  have not had a flat... I hardly ever ride park, more freeride trails with lots of sharks.

plus tubes are much easier to replace when you do get punctures :P
Aug 13 2013 5:14PM
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,212
I have tubeless and I love it, make the switch!
Aug 13 2013 5:16PM
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