Hypno Toad

Two kinda related questions:

What would you recommend as a cost-effective tubeless ready rim? I have Marge Lite rims (stock with my Pug). They offered many challenges to convert tubeless, I'd like to look at upgraded rims, but don't want to dumb a lot of money on them.

What sealant to you use for sub-zero (F) temps? My bike was out for 5 hours yesterday in temps between -5F and 0F, the sealant failed at the end of the day, leaving me walking a mile in -5F weather. My day was broken up into 3 rides: 7 miles to the race start, a 11-mile race, and most of 7 miles home. There was a break in between each ride, about 60 to 90 minutes.

jrickards

This is a good question because many of us ride our fat bikes only in the winter (that's why I bought mine).

FrozenK

Mulefüts aren't super cheap but are easy to setup tubeless. If you want reliable tubeless, and don't want to spend a lot of money Mulefüts are the first stop.

I have DT Swiss BR710. They require a bit more work to set up tubeless, but they have been trouble free for several thousand miles now. And they are significantly lighter than Mulefüts.

Surly has the Other Brother Darryl now, which are supposed to be tubeless. But will run you a few bucks more than Mulefüts.
If you have the money, Chinese carbon (Nextie, Lightcycles, etc...) are good for tubeless and light. But about $200 a rim last time I looked.

As for sealant, I've always used regular Stans. Did fine even on an 8 hour, subzero (temps down to about -15F at some point) ride. But, if your tire is seated properly the sealant shouldn't have to do anything unless you poke a hole in it.

Orange Seal has a subzero sealant now. And I think Stans does as well but I haven't tried it.

Hypno Toad

Thanks for the detailed info!

My issue seems to be the Marge Lite rim holes. When I converted to tubeless, I worked with my LBS, we taped the rims with a 3M exterior tape. The leak that left me walking on Saturday looks like it was the rim tape. The front wheel is doing great, but the rear has left me walking twice in a month.

I expect a new set of tubeless ready rims would resolve these issues.

FrozenK

Try Gorilla tape (clear is lighter), red stucco tape, Sun Mulefut or the Orange Seal 75mm rim tape. That may solve your problem if the issue is leaky tape. Usually, once the sealant gets between the tape and the rim the adhesive is ruined and you have to re-tape.

And there is such a thing as Stans rim tape in 75mm width. But it is difficult to find.

Leebo

I use jackalope 80 mm rims, fabo results. Seals with a 25 mm rim tape, the spokes are centered. No issues. Carry a backup tube?

FrozenK

Those can be hard to find as a rim only. But yes, great option for tubeless.

Hypno Toad

Yes, I do have a backup tube, but Saturday night was -5F and I was about a mile from home, so no good reason to stop and freeze while installing the tube.

After I got home, I put the bike in the basement, added air the next morning, and it sealed up just fine and held the air for the last couple days including some rides.

reverborama

I have the Mulefüts but I'm running a tube. I used to carry a spare tube with me until I needed to change the rim tape. Gah! I spent over an hour just breaking the bead off the rim of the first tire! I practically had to stand on it to get it loose. I was almost sure I was going to break something. I've changed tires on a '75 BMW and a '67 Norton and it was easier! After that I quit carrying the tube because there was no way I was changing that in the field -- especially in the winter. When it's time for a new set of tires I may go tubeless but I'm not taking those tires off again until I have to.