Heard this been banded about recently.....
I have mavic crossmax SL's (ust compatible) but want to if possible run tubeless with non-ust tyres.
Is this possible and what are the advantages/disadvantages over 'normal' tubeless?
I'd like to run lower pressures on muddy, rooty and rocky trails without having to worry about punctures.
What extras do i need, strips, gunk?
cheers
Not sure why you wouldn't go fully tubeless with a UST rim? It amounts to the same thing......
Not sure why you wouldn't go fully tubeless with a UST rim? It amounts to the same thing......
i dont have any UST tyres, this is my confusion.....
To convert, (Ghetto) you will need a rim strip (home made or shop bought) plus some tye sealant. 2 Stans rim strips would be about £20 each. For about the same money, you could buy a UST tyre (CRC have Nobby Nic's £29.99).
Downside with conversions is that the tyre rolls off the rim a bit more easily, depending on your weight and riding style.
Upside with both - limited puncturablility, no pinch flats, better rolling resistance, lower pressures, more grip
sorry, I'm being thick here... how can running a tyre at lower pressure give you better rolling resistance?
The ghetto refers to making a non ust rim airtight using either rim strips or tape. If you've already got UST rims then all you need is some tubeless valves and some sealant. If you're using lightweight folding tyres then you will have difficulty seating the tyre bead without using compressed air. If you use single or double ply tyres then you could probably get away with a track pump.
I'm running some XT wheels with some stan's tubeless valves and sealant and some Maxxis double ply tyres. It worked with a crap track pump first time and took me about 20 mins to do both wheels and it's been awesome ever since. No problems in 10+ rides and I used to flat out all the time. The double ply are overkill and I only used them because I had some kicking about. once they are worn out then i'm planning on getting some single ply to replace them because the extra weight of the double is a killer on long ups.
I don't think i'll go back to tubes and I plan on changing all my wheels over to this set up as the current tyres wear out.
presume he means it can deform more easily over rough stuff so doesn't get slowed down so much .
you can use non-ust tyres without tubes either on a ust rim with sealant and a valve, or on a non ust rim with a ghetto conversion, with a rimstrip (usually self made from a bmx innertube for the ghetto bit) and sealant.
look at [url= http://www.tubelesswheels.com/ ]this website[/url] for a step by step guide.
it works well, but can be a hassle depending on your tyre/rim combo, and whether you get the knack or not. you may need to remove teh valve cores to get better airflow with your track pump, or use a CO2 cartridge, or a compressor.
you will need to use sealant with any tubeless IMO.
as for the rolling resistance thing, it's been done to death. on a smooth paved hard surface it's generally agreed that higher pressures are better since less energy is dissipated in heating the sidewall as it flexes.
off road, a different mechanism is at work: the rolling resistance is mostly from the tyre deforming round unevenness on the trail and smoothing the ride. energy [b]is[/b] lost to sidewall flex, but that is tiny compared to the saving made by not having to go 'up and over' the (tiny) bumps.
there's also an argument that says there's less rubber to deform (only the tyre, not double tyre-and tube layer) so savings there too. that's a tubeless benefit though, not a pressure thing
i'm not sure really that i can tell the difference, but you can run lower pressures for better grip without the tediously frequent pinch punctures. there is't an unacceptable penalty in rolling resistance as far as i can tell.
to sum up: it's better, but occasionally more hassle. but better.