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After years of resistance, I've conceded.
New build was feeling a bit sluggish and knowing I'd got a big old tube in the back, decided to give it a go.
Already got it set up on my Levo, but done by the shop and cushcore in both wheels as they are carbon rims. So I wouldn't know if it made a difference or not. Been ok, but the Specialized Eliminator is starting to get some damp patches on the sidewalls
Anyway, set it up this morning on the Stanton. Didn't realise actually how easy it would be or I might have done it sooner on other bikes.
Lost circa 400g and what a difference it's made to the zip of the bike. Not that I'm telling anyone anything they don't already know
I might think differently when I've burped a tyre and got covered in fluid, but I may have finally embraced it 🤣🤣
Dropper post and disc brakes next? 🤣
Jokes aside, it really isn't (always) the PITA that people make it out to be.
Glad you got it set up easily 😉
Thing is, it was only hard 20 years ago when we all were doing non tubeless tyres on non tubeless rims. Now it's an absolute doddle
Welcome to the club. Can't believe it took you so long. 🤣
For future reference the Specialized rim tape takes some beating for ease, durability and reusing.
This is good to hear/ read - I'm finally heading down this route myself, probably some time next week...
Same here - new Cotic Solaris (2 off) build - Vittoria Mezcal tyres on Hunt XC (pre-taped) rims with Pirelli sealant - easy peasy.
First time on 29er too - it's all quite a revelation. 😀😁
This is good to hear/ read - I'm finally heading down this route myself, probably some time next week...
Without going through the whole process as most people probably know the best ways to do it, three key things that made it easier than I thought it would be
1) Already had tubes in, so left one bead stuck to the rim when I took the tubes out/put the valves in
2) Seated the other bead before putting any fluid in - went up with my little cycplus inflator. Went to 40psi and they were nicely seated before deflating again
3) Buy a syringe - was so easy to put the fluid in with zero mess
Must have taken around half hour tops to do both wheels
Last few I've done have been so easy was worried I'd missed something - think tyres and rims must be designed better for it than years ago.
Last one I did just used random 3M type duct tape and it's holding so far 🤞
Jokes aside, it really isn't (always) the PITA that people make it out to be.
I think it just takes one bad experience to put people off, and there were historically plenty of Rim/tyre combo's that presented more 'challenges' when setting up tubeless.
I've had easy wins and a few depressing failures, most recently the tubeless 'wins' are becoming more regular with newer rims/tyres.
I have to admit I am still a little amazed when I can get a tyre to inflate with just a track pump and a few vigorous pumps rather than needing a 100psi bottle of doom and various slippery substances smeared on the bead, even a couple years ago that instant inflation and sealing was far from guaranteed.
You definitely know you're getting a little cocky when you start putting the sealant straight in for the very first inflation and don't feel the need to do a dry "pre-test"...
However I am still carrying an emergency tube on most rides, I still don't know that I fully trust things to stay seated or plugs/sealant to work in an emergency, but it's all become more and more reliable over time.
I think it just takes one bad experience to put people off, and there were historically plenty of Rim/tyre combo's that presented more 'challenges' when setting up tubeless.
Sadly there are still a few rogues out there, I rebuilt a wheel with a very nice rim from a company specialising in custom built wheels. All appeared well but then problems started occuring, most notably losing air when cornering or even just riding up the sides of ruts on farmtracks, and also just general taping issues because the rim was such a weird shape internally that no tape I tried appeared able to conform and stick.
I was pretty much ready to sack it all off and go back to tubes but £100 later I'm rebuilding with good old faithful Kinlin rims which have a nice shallow internal shape that tape can conform to easily, fingers crossed...
You definitely know you're getting a little cocky when you start putting the sealant straight in for the very first inflation and don't feel the need to do a dry "pre-test"...
I do this more and more often now, if you've pre-seated with a tube and take the valve core out I think you're more or less guaranteed to seat it, so I can't be bothered doing it twice or risking clogging valves so I just stick the sealant in straight away.
However I am still carrying an emergency tube on most rides, I still don't know that I fully trust things to stay seated or plugs/sealant to work in an emergency, but it's all become more and more reliable over time.
This is my biggest bugbear! Sealant doesn't actually seem all that good at sealing actual holes 🤣 I'm investing in tougher tyres next year, AND I'll be running foam inserts. Wheels will be ~100g heavier each as a result but it'll be nice to be able to confidently drop the pressures a bit more and maybe not take such a kicking from the trails...
it really isn't (always) the PITA that people make it out to be.
It's just teasing you. You'll do a few that just inflate and seal like magic and you'll congratulate yourself that you've got this tubeless thing mastered, then you'll get the tyre from hell that just torments you for days on end, then seals up, then goes flat again, then seals up but always leaks slowly. Then you realize that you've spent 10 times more time on it than the tyre is actually worth. But, apart from that occasional annoyance, much less hassle than tubes.
Same here - new Cotic Solaris (2 off) build - Vittoria Mezcal tyres on Hunt XC (pre-taped) rims with Pirelli sealant - easy peasy.
Well your issue won't be the tubeless set up there. But hey it's a great warranty 😉
I might think differently when I've burped a tyre and got covered in fluid, but I may have finally embraced it 🤣🤣
I've never looked back after going tubeless on all my bikes - you'll love it.
PS If you do get a massive burp or tear (never happened to me), I'm told that it's like a scene from Alien. Make sure you get a good selfie if that happens. 🤭
Dropper post and disc brakes next?
It was only a few months back that I got my first bike with tubeless and a dropper post !
Deciding what tape and sealant is best is harder than the tubeless setup itself…
Deciding what tape and sealant is best is harder than the tubeless setup itself…
Nukeproof wheels pre-taped and just went with Stans. Hutchinson Griffus tyres
Will visit the shed shortly and see if they are still inflated
I've not carried a tube in 10+ years on a ride.
Still carry a tube, last time I used one was to give it to a rider on the black DH from Les Arcs to Bourg last June
I find it pretty straightforward these days and once set up any maintenance is easy, just top fluid up every so often. Years since I had to retape a wheel. You do still get the odd combo as others have said. Still annoyed that I ruined a new der baron years ago as it just wouldn’t seal and then blew off the rim. Fluid everywhere and deafening!
I've not carried a tube in 10+ years on a ride.
Been on a few rides where a tubeless rider has appreciated the fact that I've been carrying a tube. So will continue to do so
Iirc the last time was half way down Roych Clough. Wouldn't fancy a walk back to Edale car park from there
Just got the bike out of the shed, still fully inflated 👍