Bicycle Mechanics - Newbie Tire Help

Ok I am new and I know this is not much to go on...but here goes.

I have inherited some bike that were abandoned in my building. It is a fialry old cannondale and all marking hace been taken off so i cannot say the model is fairly old and is a very light mountain bike.

What i am concerned with is that the moisure or sumthing has destroyed my tires....I notived that the tires are tubeless so can someone tell me what i need to look for when buying replacements?

I do not kow the system these tures use or if there are mutiple systems. I cna try to check the rims but i was wondering what to do from here.


Any help will be appreciated and i can go check the rims if it helps!

How about a crash course?

thanxs

I'm not sure (but no one else has answered) but I think that many, if not all, tubless rims can also use regular tires with tubes. I'd take the front wheel with you to a bike shop and ask if this is possible. This is a little more practical than a tubeless set up for most riders.
You should be able to check the rims for true by spinning them and eyballing the space between the brake pad and the rim.
good luck.

thanx!

As u can tell I have no idea what I am doing. I just happen to fall in with a pretty decent bike i just wish to revive.

Much appreciated!

Take the wheel to a bike shop, they should be able to identify the type and size.
If it is a "tubular" racing wheel, the tube is sewn up inside an outer. This is quite rare and only used by elite racers. Most wheels are clincher style with separate inner tubes. You need a different type of rim for these different types of tyre.
The wheel size is probably 700c, but check on the sidewall of the tyre. You also need to get the correct width for the tyre and inner. Most racing bikes can take 25mm. Some can take wider tyres. The inner tube should roughly match the tyre width and the valve should be the correct type for your rim. Wide Schraeder (car tyre) valves cannot fit into narrow Presta valve holes in the rim.

Take the wheel to a bike shop, they should be able to identify the type and size.
If it is a "tubular" racing wheel, the tube is sewn up inside an outer. This is quite rare and only used by elite racers. Most wheels are clincher style with separate inner tubes. You need a different type of rim for these different types of tyre.
The wheel size is probably 700c, but check on the sidewall of the tyre. You also need to get the correct width for the tyre and inner. Most racing bikes can take 25mm. Some can take wider tyres. The inner tube should roughly match the tyre width and the valve should be the correct type for your rim. Wide Schraeder (car tyre) valves cannot fit into narrow Presta valve holes in the rim.


WRONG!!! The original post was referring to a "light mountain bike", so the wheels are NOT tubulars, nor are they 700c. If they are in fact tubeless, then new UST compatible tires may be needed, or just whatever rim strip is used to seal the spoke holes may be all that is necessary to get the wheels ship-shape.

The tires are empty and the moisture or sumthing has killed them...nasty smell and texture.

They are in fact tubeless...this is the only thing I am sure of.

What is the difference between reg and UST tire? What does UST Mean?

As soon as i get a chance I will post the rim and current tire info and eventually head to shop. I just want to be educated before I head to bike shop and have them try to empty my wallet.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html This is a good site for info.
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml A second.

So....it turns out I have the Mavic 217 SUP...adn sumthing about a UB.

Anyways from what I see these are good depending on who built them. But from what I understand I can stick on any tire that fits accordingly.