I have some Mavic Open Pros on my CX bike (commuting/bimbling not racing). According the Stans website I need 2x loops of yellow tape + the CX rimstrips to convert these to tubeless. However it also says that, since the Open Pro isn’t a tubeless rim, I need to use a tubeless tyre which basically means Hutchinson Piranha/Bulldog (AFAIK). I’d rather use Schwalbe CX Comps because they’re way cheaper (and apparently the Hutch tyres do not last very long either) so my question is – possible or not?

bump for lunchtime crowd!

You can use standard tyres, I’ve sealed up Vredesteins no problem and lots of people have done it with Mud 2s. I think the new Racing Ralph cx tyres are tubeless-ready?

This link might help: http://www.cxmagazine.com/trying-tubeless-cyclocross-tires-setup-part-ii

If you do manage it with cx comps let us know how you go on. I got put off by the fact you can’t go higher than 60 psi without destroying the bead.

Thanks, that’s a very helpful link. Part iii of that series seems to suggest Schwalbes might be a no-go on non-Stans rims. They have a list of “successful” tyres though so from that list I have chosen Kenda Small Block Eights as being suitable for road & trail so I will give those a go!

No problem, would be interested to know how the Kendas compare to the cx comps on the road when you’ve got them tubelessed.

I found SB8s really porous even though the CXMag lot reckoned they were a good choice.

For me I’ve found it a bit hit and miss – once you have a setup that works, it’s brilliant but it takes quite a lot of faff to get there – eg two identical wheels, tyres – one goes up and stays up, the other constantly leaks until further tweaking.

It’s worth it though – once reliable it’s so much better than tubes – for my riding at least which isn’t CX racing but includes plenty of rocks/etc that constantly caused pinches unless I ran my tyres at 85psi(!). I’m now on 50/60psi which is much better.

Anyone tried the Bonty cx0? Am I right in thinking they’re tubeless ready?