TCS Tires... can someone explain?
05-17-16, 09:24 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
TCS Tires... can someone explain?
So I am looking at a new Hybrid bike and have it narrowed to one of these three.
Specialized Crosstrail
Fuji Sunfire 2.0
Motobecane Elite Adventure X5 LTD
The last bike boasts TCS tires but am not quite what they are or why I would want them. Anyone here have any experience with them? Any preferences on which if the bikes above are the most bang for my buck as each are around $600?
Specialized Crosstrail
Fuji Sunfire 2.0
Motobecane Elite Adventure X5 LTD
The last bike boasts TCS tires but am not quite what they are or why I would want them. Anyone here have any experience with them? Any preferences on which if the bikes above are the most bang for my buck as each are around $600?
05-17-16, 09:33 AM
#2
Señor Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,064
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 648 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
213 Posts
So I am looking at a new Hybrid bike and have it narrowed to one of these three.
Specialized Crosstrail
Fuji Sunfire 2.0
Motobecane Elite Adventure X5 LTD
The last bike boasts TCS tires but am not quite what they are or why I would want them. Anyone here have any experience with them? Any preferences on which if the bikes above are the most bang for my buck as each are around $600?
Specialized Crosstrail
Fuji Sunfire 2.0
Motobecane Elite Adventure X5 LTD
The last bike boasts TCS tires but am not quite what they are or why I would want them. Anyone here have any experience with them? Any preferences on which if the bikes above are the most bang for my buck as each are around $600?
05-17-16, 09:35 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Have you ever ridden on these tires? I'd be curious to see how they feel under you. Obviously love the idea of not getting a flat tire 30 miles into a ride but wondering how they feel compared to normal tires.
05-17-16, 09:54 AM
#4
Banned
Your dealer can change tires to something else when you buy the bike, if you dont like the ones that were chosen by the company.
05-17-16, 10:09 AM
#5
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,776
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 907 Post(s)
Liked 363 Times
in
265 Posts
Tubeless Compatible just means that the rim can be sealed air tight when a tubeless stem is installed, so it's ready to use tubeless tires. (most rims have holes where the spokes are mounted, and just the tube keeps the air in.)
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
EDIT - from the bikes direct page:
add your own tubeless strips, fluid and valves and ride faster/lighter and virtually flat free
So it just has normal rim tape that's not air tight, and has a tube. You'd have to buy aftermarket rim tape, valve, and fluid for tubeless and install it carefully.
The WTB Nano 40c tires are good, but they have knobs. If you are mostly riding on pavement, you might want to get non-treaded tires, or tires with a more filled in center section. That's faster and less effort on the road.
~~~~
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get dried out after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
~~~
Riders like the tubeless ride. With no tubes, it's often a smoother ride, since the tire can flex easily. But these are usually fairly expensive tires.
And you don't get pinch flats, where the tire bottoms out against the rim, and the tube gets cut by being mashed between the tire and the edge of the rim. So tubeless tires can safely run at lower air pressure for a plush ride.
The downside is more maintenance and the difficulty of mounting a tire with just a bike pump.
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
EDIT - from the bikes direct page:
add your own tubeless strips, fluid and valves and ride faster/lighter and virtually flat free
So it just has normal rim tape that's not air tight, and has a tube. You'd have to buy aftermarket rim tape, valve, and fluid for tubeless and install it carefully.
The WTB Nano 40c tires are good, but they have knobs. If you are mostly riding on pavement, you might want to get non-treaded tires, or tires with a more filled in center section. That's faster and less effort on the road.
~~~~
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get dried out after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
~~~
Riders like the tubeless ride. With no tubes, it's often a smoother ride, since the tire can flex easily. But these are usually fairly expensive tires.
And you don't get pinch flats, where the tire bottoms out against the rim, and the tube gets cut by being mashed between the tire and the edge of the rim. So tubeless tires can safely run at lower air pressure for a plush ride.
The downside is more maintenance and the difficulty of mounting a tire with just a bike pump.
Last edited by rm -rf; 05-17-16 at 10:21 AM.
05-17-16, 10:10 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is great info! Thank you!!!
Tubeless Compatible just means that the rim can be sealed air tight when a tubeless stem is installed, so it's ready to use tubeless tires. (most rims have holes where the spokes are mounted, and just the tube keeps the air in.)
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get old after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get old after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
05-17-16, 10:43 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It seems a crazy upgrade on this bike to have these tires etc come with it!
Tubeless Compatible just means that the rim can be sealed air tight when a tubeless stem is installed, so it's ready to use tubeless tires. (most rims have holes where the spokes are mounted, and just the tube keeps the air in.)
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
EDIT - from the bikes direct page:
add your own tubeless strips, fluid and valves and ride faster/lighter and virtually flat free
So it just has normal rim tape that's not air tight, and has a tube. You'd have to buy aftermarket rim tape, valve, and fluid for tubeless and install it carefully.
The WTB Nano 40c tires are good, but they have knobs. If you are mostly riding on pavement, you might want to get non-treaded tires, or tires with a more filled in center section. That's faster and less effort on the road.
~~~~
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get dried out after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
~~~
Riders like the tubeless ride. With no tubes, it's often a smoother ride, since the tire can flex easily. But these are usually fairly expensive tires.
And you don't get pinch flats, where the tire bottoms out against the rim, and the tube gets cut by being mashed between the tire and the edge of the rim. So tubeless tires can safely run at lower air pressure for a plush ride.
The downside is more maintenance and the difficulty of mounting a tire with just a bike pump.
But it probably comes with a tube, and that works the same as any other wheel & tire.
EDIT - from the bikes direct page:
add your own tubeless strips, fluid and valves and ride faster/lighter and virtually flat free
So it just has normal rim tape that's not air tight, and has a tube. You'd have to buy aftermarket rim tape, valve, and fluid for tubeless and install it carefully.
The WTB Nano 40c tires are good, but they have knobs. If you are mostly riding on pavement, you might want to get non-treaded tires, or tires with a more filled in center section. That's faster and less effort on the road.
~~~~
For tubeless use:
You will likely need a tubeless designed tire, these have the correct bead shape and resist air filtering through the tire itself. (but some riders have used "normal" tires sucessfully.)
The tubeless stem is attached to the rim.
The tubeless tire is mounted--this often needs an air compressor to pop the beads in place before the air leaks out from under the edge.
Sealant is added through the valve after the tire's beads are mounted to the rim.
The sealant plugs small holes as you ride. (this is really useful in places that have goathead thorns!) But big cuts won't be sealed byt the liquid. You'll want to carry a spare tube to be installed to get you home.
Sealant get dried out after a year or so, and needs to be cleaned out and replaced.
~~~
Riders like the tubeless ride. With no tubes, it's often a smoother ride, since the tire can flex easily. But these are usually fairly expensive tires.
And you don't get pinch flats, where the tire bottoms out against the rim, and the tube gets cut by being mashed between the tire and the edge of the rim. So tubeless tires can safely run at lower air pressure for a plush ride.
The downside is more maintenance and the difficulty of mounting a tire with just a bike pump.
05-17-16, 12:01 PM
#8
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,776
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 907 Post(s)
Liked 363 Times
in
265 Posts
Remember, it's "tubeless compatible." The only difference here is the internal shape of the rim where the tire bead is held. So it's an easy thing to promote with these rims, and doesn't cost bikesdirect anything much at all. They aren't including the rim strip or the other things that would make it actually tubeless.
05-17-16, 01:26 PM
#9
Senior Member
I don't think they're more resistant to flats in general, it's just that they're more resistant to snakebite flats while running lower tire pressures. They will still puncture just like standard tires with tubes. Of course, once you get a puncture, sealant can self-repair it; but you can do that with tubes, too.
05-17-16, 01:29 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I grabbed the Moto today so I am already getting itchy to get it and ride. I am having the local shop set it up and assemble for me. This will be a major upgrade from the old Mongoose I had which I am certain was too big for my frame.
