Tube vs Tubeless
#1
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Tube vs Tubeless
Looks like I'm going to need lots of help from this forum. I used to do 100% of the repairs on my road bikes 30 years ago. But just recently my wife bought a Niner Jet 9 RDO with 29 inch wheels. My first question for now is whether I should switch her tires to tubeless. The wheels are Sunringle Black Flag XC 29". Can I put tubeless on these? Is there an advantage? She bikes a lot in the mountains in Montana. If tubeless are recommended, which ones do folks like? Thanks in advance.
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Yep, tubeless is worth it. Reckon those rims would be tubeless. Advantages include being able to run lower pressures for better traction without the risk of snakebite punctures. Bit lighter than tubes. More puncture resistant. Choice of tyre depends on the terrain and her riding type, how long is a piece of string...
My personal way to do it is install with a small amount of a latex sealant like Stans. Let that coat the inside of the tire for a month or so to seal any micro leaks, then swap to a long life sealant like Finish Line.
My personal way to do it is install with a small amount of a latex sealant like Stans. Let that coat the inside of the tire for a month or so to seal any micro leaks, then swap to a long life sealant like Finish Line.
#3
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OK, sounds like I need tubeless 101. Last time I had tubeless, we called them "sew ups" and used them for racing road bikes. I was looking at tubeless on Amazon and there are so many choices, I'm not sure where to start. I see talk about a sealant and am confused when it's used. Is there a section on this forum that talks about the tubeless basics? BTW - big believer in LBS, but the nearest one is over an hour away and it is closed indefinitely due to virus.
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I've used Stan's successfully, but there are other brands that are as effective, maybe better. Probably the rims and tires are "tubeless ready", but you should ascertain that beforehand. Some systems are difficult to set up without a high pressure air supply which isn't available from most floor pumps (some of the newer, more expensive ones can do it, but my LBS is only a mile away, so I just go there to set them up). Also, depending on how hot your summers are the sealant can dry up in three to four months and need to be replenished. If the tire is sliced on an outing, and the solvent won't seal it, you need to boot it and use a tube. Accordingly, wipe all the solvent from inside the tire or the tube won't stay in the tire when you pump it up (as me how I know).
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here's probably what she has if it helps. Looks like it has tubeless Schwalbes mounted
https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/gui...-with-XT,12206
nice bike and more of a pure XC bike compared to current geometries. btw, I think you mean tubular tires not tubeless. They were still popular for racers up to a year or two ago before tubeless road and CX wheels have started taking over the market.
https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/gui...-with-XT,12206
nice bike and more of a pure XC bike compared to current geometries. btw, I think you mean tubular tires not tubeless. They were still popular for racers up to a year or two ago before tubeless road and CX wheels have started taking over the market.
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That wheelset model became tubeless compatible at some point when they started using Stans bead profile. Does it say "Stans" somewhere on the rim? If so, you are good to go as long as the tires are Tubeless Ready.
#7
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Yeah, pretty sure those Black Flags use licensed Stans rims. So just get some tubeless rim tape, valves and sealant and go to town (assuming the current tires are also tubeless compatible). The Stans website has some good videos on the procedure so order online and do them yourself.
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OK, sounds like I need tubeless 101. Last time I had tubeless, we called them "sew ups" and used them for racing road bikes. I was looking at tubeless on Amazon and there are so many choices, I'm not sure where to start. I see talk about a sealant and am confused when it's used. Is there a section on this forum that talks about the tubeless basics? BTW - big believer in LBS, but the nearest one is over an hour away and it is closed indefinitely due to virus.
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You mention sew ups as old tubeless. Totally different.
A sew up, tubular, tubie, glue up (same same) is a tire and casing with an inner tube literally sewed into it. Renowned for their roundness and a flat at high speed is a little more in control. Special rim, special tire, special glue.
Tubeless is essentially a clincher with a water/air tight rim. No tube, add some sealant for insurance. It's totally possible but a little pointless to use a regular clincher as a tubeless.
A sew up, tubular, tubie, glue up (same same) is a tire and casing with an inner tube literally sewed into it. Renowned for their roundness and a flat at high speed is a little more in control. Special rim, special tire, special glue.
Tubeless is essentially a clincher with a water/air tight rim. No tube, add some sealant for insurance. It's totally possible but a little pointless to use a regular clincher as a tubeless.
#10
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Well, I decided to contact the owner of the LBS where we bought the Niner to ask for his input (we have since moved over 1000 miles from that shop). This guy was great, told us that the wheels can go tubeless and told me what I need to get. Because he was so helpful, I told him to put everything in a box and ship it to us. It was well worth the small extra cost.
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#11
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So why are you gonna start a thread asking for advice when you're just gonna ignore and go with the bike shop?
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#13
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Exactly. If he doesn't understand sew ups vs tubeless, he definitely needs a shop to help. He understands that and has saved himself tons of trouble and time.
#14
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As far as sew ups. It's been over 40 years but when I raced, those were the tires I used. I am very familiar with them, and spent a few winters, taking them apart to replace/repair the flats. If I gave the impression that they are the same as tubeless, I apologize. And I 'm not sure where anyone stated NOT to go the bike shop.
This forum has been very helpful for me in the past, and I hope that I can continue to use it. But there is no malice on my part. In general, folks here have been great to get advice and help me become more self sufficient on these newer bikes, especially with the new suspension systems. Thanks
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