Quick question...
About to convert my 29” deore wheelset to tubeless, any advantage of using the tubeless conversion rim strips with valves already in them or just proceed with tape and punch through the valves like I would with my tubeless ready other bike?
Or does it make little difference?
Apologies, a very boring question!
Can't imagine it really makes any difference other than giving the kit maker some money.
Can't imagine it really makes any difference other than giving the kit maker some money.
Guessed so, thanks!
if the tyre is slightly loose (with tape) it can be sometimes tricky to inflate it and get it to seat. If so, a rimstrip can provide more thickness and a good interface between the tyre and rim to seal and seat.
Obviously you can just run more layers of tape to attempt to do the same job, but the rimstrip is quicker and easier in this respect.
Most tubeless rims are fine with a 2 or 3 layers but some rims need a bit of help.
Strips are easier to remove and reuse if you need to access a spoke hole but overall I'd go tape. Cheaper and less likely to shift around.
reggiegasket - Member
if the tyre is slightly loose (with tape) it can be sometimes tricky to inflate it and get it to seat. If so, a rimstrip can provide more thickness and a good interface between the tyre and rim to seal and seat.
On the other hand, I’ve found that sometimes the rimstrip can be too thick to allow the tyre to fully pop out onto the rim properly.
The most reliable system that I’ve used still has to be the “ghetto” split inner tube method.
I've got one rubber rimstrip kit based bike - the first bike I ever tubelessed. I'd say that for a novice they're a great way forward, but for the experienced at setting up tubeless they're still a useful tool for less-suitable rims. Really, they're posh Ghetto though and basically fix the same issues.
It does surprise me a bit from time to time how often I still run into people who have never tubelessed a wheel because they've been told it's "hard".
Thanks for the replies, always appreciate useful feedback. I’ve set up tubeless before on specific rims no problem but not older, narrower non tubeless wheels. May try the ghetto split tube as I have plenty waiting repair that could be sacrificed for this purpose!
superstu - Member
Thanks for the replies, always appreciate useful feedback. I’ve set up tubeless before on specific rims no problem but not older, narrower non tubeless wheels. May try the ghetto split tube as I have plenty waiting repair that could be sacrificed for this purpose!
For 26” wheels I’ve always used 20x2.25” tubes (so it’ll be the same for 650b) and for 29” 24x2.25”.
Plus you really need removable cores too, so that’ll be Schwalbe or some Continental, if we’re talking about Presta valves.
Yep, the whole point of the split tube method is that it's tight. You usually use a tube fr the wheelsize down, and obv make sure it has a removable valve core. Schwalbe and Continental always have removable cores.