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OK, I've watched the videos, but they are always easy, so what's the real world like?
Never used tubeless but thought I might convert my Hunt 4 Season Gravel wheels to tubeless for road riding through the crap etc this winter. Rims are said to be tubeless ready. Does this mean the rim tape is ready to be used? I have a couple of tubeless valves, and will be using a pair of Continental road covers.
Is it as simple as it sounds? Put the valves in, pour the sealant in and pump like billy ho to get inflation? That just seems to easy - although I'm not sure my track pump will think the same!
Anyone else done this, and if so what did you find?
Which conti road tyres are you going to use? Their only tubeless model is the gp5000tl which isn't available for a week or so. If you're planning on using a non tubeless tyre then I'd suggest making sure that you have good insurance cover.
Good. Thank you. That's just the advice I'm after.
So what tubeless road tyres are suggested?
I'm peed off with punctures on the minor roads I use and covers are hard to get on and off the rims, so I thought this might be a work round. I need to carry a Kool Tool all the time just to get my covers back on.
I want an easy life!!!
Re: how easy - pretty damn easy. Depends how old your wheels are, but most are ready to go when they're shipped. There were some issues with one of their batches of rim tape a while back and they send out new stuff, but my 4Season Gravels are running a pair of WTB Nanos tubless with no extra tape, no issues and no problems during installation.
I've only ever used Schwalbe tubeless (Ultremo ZX tubeless & more recently Pro 1s), but they've been incredibly easy. Gone up with just a track pump (can't say that about any of the MTB tyres I've done) and have sealed perfectly each time even before adding Stans.
Again, thank you.
I'd seen the Nanos but they only seem to come inside for. For road use I'd prefer something closer to 25. Not sure if there are any at a sensible price. The new Contis seem to be £35 each.
Wow. Just done a quick Google and the Ultremos are £130 each.
The Pro 1s sound interesting.
I didn't think they made Ultremos anymore, probably just some chancer trying to cash in on a "vintage" tyre (they were about £50 each when I bought them IIRC). Pro 1 is the new range. They're a great tyre IMO (not that I've used anything else to compare them with).
The new Contis seem to be £35 each.
Where?
I'm using Schwalbe Pro Ones with Hunt Race Aero wheels. No problem converting to tubeless using the supplied valves and the original rim tape and they're working well. I used a Specialized Air Blast thing to inflate them and would rate them about a 4/10 on the "how much of a bastard are they to seat on the rim" scale. For comparison, the G-One Allrounds on the gravel bike rate about 8/10 and are an absolute arse to seat!
Note: I sliced a Pro One on glass at the end of a ride not longer after first fitting them and had to write it off and replace with a new one. Of course, these things can happen to anyone, but I've never managed to write off a GP4000 in the same way so I've got a little concern about the robustness of the Pro Ones.
Interested in the new Conti tubeless tyres for the future. If you'll forgive me for saying, it's about bloody time!
Where?
Dunno! Can't find it again. Was just googling on the phone. Now I'm on PC they seem to be closer to £75 and have been available since Nov 8. Pretty pricey that!
I've been using the Hutchinson Fusion 5's in the latest 11storm compound. I've used both the Performance version and the All seasons. Both have been a doddle to seat tubeless, and have been pretty nice to ride. Not as wide as Conti 4000's
I've had them mounted on some Hunt carbon rims, and some Prime alloy ones (both tubeless compatible wheelsets).
Use the pro ones on my summer bike and in dry conditions are brilliant. They don’t seem to last long though, normally get around 1500miles out of a rear before they wear out. Price you pay for lightweight race tyres I suppose. In the wet I’m not so impressed, often spin out when standing going up steep inclines. Have also had a few squeaky bum moments when the backend has let go going round corners. Put some IRC formulas onto the winter bike and although it’s early days I’m impressed with them upto now.
What are the Hutchinsons like at this time of year? I'm thinking of grip v rolling resistance.
My only winter tyres at present are Schwalbe Marathons and they are bombproof but like riding through treacle. Taken them off this afternoon and put the Contis on, but I expect more punctures.
These are good - https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/roubaix-pro-2bliss-ready/p/155483?color=229787-155483
These are good – https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/roubaix-pro-2bliss-ready/p/155483?color=229787-155483
Thank you. Yes, I have seen those. At present they are my "traditional" alternative choice. And a lot cheaper!!!
I switched to the Hutchinson All Seasons about a month back, so I can't comment on durability yet. Rolling resistance and grip seem pretty good, maybe a bit slower than the 'Performance' version that I've had on all summer, but hard to tell as they were on totally different (aero) wheels.