Jim311

All tires compatible with tubeless? They mount on the rim essentially in the same manner. So is it possible to use a tubed tired in a tubeless manner? Someone once said on here that all Michelin's tires were UST compatible.. any truth to this?

Chi

My guess is that the beads are designed differently, in that the UST seals air.

Jim311

So if you use Stan's tubeless conversion, can you use regular tubed tires in a tubeless manner?

DiL

Yeah

Jim311

It might actually be worth the few dollars just to have more tire selection, and cheaper tires. Because tubeless tires are not only rediculously expensive, but there aren't too many good selections out there.

Aggressor

What are the advantages of tubeless tires anyway?

Chi

Reduced likelyhood of pinch flats.

Jim311

By the way.. if anyone knows of a good online retailer for UST tires, let a brotha know! I've seen all the mainstream ones.. pricepoint, cambria, jenson, supergo.... but still none of them have as good of a selection as I'd like.

Jim311

Tubeless tires roll faster, reduce the amount of total flats especially if you're running sealant, and when they do leak, they leak slowly, they ride softer and plusher, and you can basically run whatever pressure you like. I love em.. I'm just hoping they'll make more tubeless tires for cheaper.

Aggressor

Cheers Nice to know this stuff..

sha-sha

Shimano owns the UST movement...It's a conspiracy I tell you!!

sha-sha

Stan's no-tubes is pretty cool.

Jim311

SAY IT AINT SO!

bac

Why do they roll faster?

spexy

"Why do they roll faster?"

Supposedly, because there is no friction between the tube and tire. Whatever difference there is, it's GOT to be minimal. I run both and I can't tell a difference.

The main reason I like UST is because it's less hassle. And I'm always trying to buy the latest thing.


Yeah, I know.

Jim311

I actually felt a big difference in rolling resistance... about 1-2 mph on the street, definitely noticeable, especially on hardpacked terrain.

Maelstrom 

Ok...now I am curious...are they harder than a typical tube setup. I run around 30psi front and 34 back which is REALLY soft for a 260 pound man. Would it feel the same with tubeless or would it feel harder?

Dirtgrinder

I've been hearing good things about the Conti Vertical Pro. But everywhere I checked they were 61.99 ea. No way. Found them at 123bikes.com for 36.99. Just ordered two yesterday. They seem to have a large selection of tires, but I didn't look at all the UST's.

TimB

maelstrom, IME the tyre will feel harder ie as if it had more pressure in it.
This is because the casing is more elastic without a tube in it so it reacts faster. This elasticity reduces the rolling resistance, hence you can run lower pressure for a bigger contact patch so more knobs hookup with the ground for a similar rolling resistance as a tubed tyre with higher pressure with the only exceptionbeing you would not have as much traction.
This is the secret of tubeless.

Maelstrom 

Thanx Tim. Thats the one thing I haven't been able to test ride. I will have to see if I can find someone with a tubeless setup to see how it feels on drops and stuff. Traction is always a big issue here

Jim311

I was honestly amazed at how well the tires ride, and how durable they've been. I've heard things about Michelin's having a soft compound, and others saying tubeless wasn't reliable, hard to patch, blah blah blah. I've had NO problems with mounting (I use levers, but I'm careful) and generally they've been maintenance free. They hold air very well, too. I think it's the newest wave, and that eventually it will catch on for the downhill crew because of it's resistance to pinch flats... as soon as a wider range of tires and UST wheels (Right now the only UST wheel is the Deemax by Mavic for the downhillers I believe) gets on the market. Just a matter of time until tubes are a thing of the past.

Dannihilator

You can keep your tubeless tires.

Jim311

Dirtgrinder

Danka Danka. I think I will. And another thing about tubeless wheels; If you want to you can still mount regular tires and tubes on them.
I ride with a guy who rides tubed tires. We've stopped to fix several flats on his over the years. Fixed a pinch flat earlier this week. Never had to stop for my tubeless yet.

NZLcyclist

Can you get tubeless for road bikes?

Brendon