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I've realised that I am now an MTB standards luddite, particularly around wheels. I was somewhat perplexed to find that my stock tyres seemed glued to my stock rims when I went to change a tube. I noticed the rims (Alex MD23) stated 'tubeless ready', and it dawned on me that I no longer know what I'm talking about with bikes. Can't change a tube these days ffs...
Cutting to the point, can I fit any old tyres to these rims or do I need tubeless specific tyres? I now want to replace my rear WTB Trail Boss with something more appropriate for winter, can I fit cheap wire beaded tyres or does it have to be a tubeless specific bead?
The tyre isn't glued its just sealant. Its just tight but will come off alright when you get the knack.
Any tyre of the correct size will fit with variable levels of effort.
Hi josh, sorry I wasn't very clear. The bike comes with tubes as standard so no sealant involved, it was just the tyre bead tightly locked into the rim. I know all beads/rims do to some extent but I've never dealt with a tubeless compatible one before, it seemed superglued at first!
Good to know standard beads will fit. Looking at a WTB Vigilante to match the front or some of the Spesh tyres.
Yep, they will do that with a tubeless rim, there's a ridge just inside the rim wall that the bead rises over to hold it in place.No problem with running a normal tyre on them, other than being more difficult to remove than with normal rims.
Greigb..I share your pain after spending way too long trying to remove a tubeless tyre last week.
I've run Vigilante / Trail Boss year round in all conditions without any problem ..but your choice of course .
Remember to start with the bead of the tyre in the centre of the wheel when re-fitting ( smallest circumferance) to save a lot of cursing and pain ..
I finally went tubeless a few weeks ago after finding it virtually impossible to remove my WTB tyres in a tubed setup (WTB tyres seem particularly tight).
The process was a tad traumatic but seems to be working well now.
Glad to know it's not just me then. I'll give a regular tyre a bash for just now. I'm tempted by tubeless but don't think it's the right time for me; the bike may go into hibernation if we get a good ski season.