Hooked wheel question
#26
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,296
Likes: 577
From: Loveland, CO
Bikes: Cervelo Rouvida x 2
I have 3 bikes with hookless rims. No problems. I have Zipp 303s that are almost 2 years old and two sets of BTLOS rims that are hookless with a 25mm internal width and have no spoke access holes, so no rim tape is needed. Some brands allow their 28mm tires to be used with 25mm IW rims and some don't. I've had the best results with Pirelli P-Zero tubeless tires.
I've also used Michelin tubeless, but they suffer from bead stretch over time. If the air is let out to replenish sealant, the bead doesn't remain seated well enough to be reinflated with the valve core in place. I've never found factory info on hookless compatibility.
https://www.michelinman.com/bicycle/...for-road-tires
I've also used Michelin tubeless, but they suffer from bead stretch over time. If the air is let out to replenish sealant, the bead doesn't remain seated well enough to be reinflated with the valve core in place. I've never found factory info on hookless compatibility.
https://www.michelinman.com/bicycle/...for-road-tires
#28
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,171
Likes: 11,133
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
I have 3 bikes with hookless rims. No problems. I have Zipp 303s that are almost 2 years old and two sets of BTLOS rims that are hookless with a 25mm internal width and have no spoke access holes, so no rim tape is needed. Some brands allow their 28mm tires to be used with 25mm IW rims and some don't. I've had the best results with Pirelli P-Zero tubeless tires.
I've also used Michelin tubeless, but they suffer from bead stretch over time. If the air is let out to replenish sealant, the bead doesn't remain seated well enough to be reinflated with the valve core in place. I've never found factory info on hookless compatibility.
I've also used Michelin tubeless, but they suffer from bead stretch over time. If the air is let out to replenish sealant, the bead doesn't remain seated well enough to be reinflated with the valve core in place. I've never found factory info on hookless compatibility.
#29
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
I know there are a lot of people that have never had issues with hookless. There are, however, enough people that have had issues for me to stay away from them. One guy on YouTube made a perfect point about why hookless don't belong on road bikes. He said that airplane tires and car tires have been tubeless for a long time, but the beads they use are so strong and stiff that you need a huge machine to put them on and they don't go in with your hands like road bike tires. He also said that those huge tires have a metal wire in their beads to further strengthen the bead and make them safe.
More power to you for trusting hookless but in the mean time, I don't.
More power to you for trusting hookless but in the mean time, I don't.
#30
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,171
Likes: 11,133
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Originally Posted by Jon_g2
He said that airplane tires and car tires have been tubeless for a long time, but the beads they use are so strong and stiff that you need a huge machine to put them on and they don't go in with your hands like road bike tires.
I discovered a flat main tire while taxiing a Cessna 182 a few weeks ago -- it uses tubes.
Last edited by tomato coupe; 12-12-23 at 11:35 AM.
#33
I know there are a lot of people that have never had issues with hookless. There are, however, enough people that have had issues for me to stay away from them. One guy on YouTube made a perfect point about why hookless don't belong on road bikes. He said that airplane tires and car tires have been tubeless for a long time, but the beads they use are so strong and stiff that you need a huge machine to put them on and they don't go in with your hands like road bike tires. He also said that those huge tires have a metal wire in their beads to further strengthen the bead and make them safe.
#34
Apparently hookless carbon rims are less expensive to manufacture, and Enve at least claims even tubeless tires are less prone to pinch-flats with hookless rims.
I would naively assume that hooks help prevent tires from blowing off the rim, and would be the preferred option, at least for higher pressure applications.
I also thought only the SC/Reserve 35 road rims were hooked, and the new ones weren't. I hadn't even heard of semi-hooked rims before I embarrassed myself. I live right near their showroom, and have seen them close up, and never noticed the hook. I am intrigued enough to go back and look again.
I would naively assume that hooks help prevent tires from blowing off the rim, and would be the preferred option, at least for higher pressure applications.
I also thought only the SC/Reserve 35 road rims were hooked, and the new ones weren't. I hadn't even heard of semi-hooked rims before I embarrassed myself. I live right near their showroom, and have seen them close up, and never noticed the hook. I am intrigued enough to go back and look again.
#35
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
Apparently hookless carbon rims are less expensive to manufacture, and Enve at least claims even tubeless tires are less prone to pinch-flats with hookless rims.
I would naively assume that hooks help prevent tires from blowing off the rim, and would be the preferred option, at least for higher pressure applications.
I also thought only the SC/Reserve 35 road rims were hooked, and the new ones weren't. I hadn't even heard of semi-hooked rims before I embarrassed myself. I live right near their showroom, and have seen them close up, and never noticed the hook. I am intrigued enough to go back and look again.
I would naively assume that hooks help prevent tires from blowing off the rim, and would be the preferred option, at least for higher pressure applications.
I also thought only the SC/Reserve 35 road rims were hooked, and the new ones weren't. I hadn't even heard of semi-hooked rims before I embarrassed myself. I live right near their showroom, and have seen them close up, and never noticed the hook. I am intrigued enough to go back and look again.
And yes, I am new to this whole world of wheels and compatibility and what-not but apparently semi-hooked is not a very common thing. I don't see why not every company does that. I hate how their reasoning for doing things hides the fact that they're doing it for the money, whether they care to admit it or not.
#36
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
I tried getting a picture and perhaps it doesn't show much. I just compared a regular clincher with the Reserves and it's about half the size in depth of the regular hooked wheel. I good it's enough to keep me safe LOL
#37
Senior Member


Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,171
Likes: 5,299
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Question - do the semi-hooked rims keep older tubeless tires on the rim after a blowout at 40+ mph when you hit that rock you didn't see? I raced back in the days when we used glue made from the guts of dinosaurs to stick our tires onto the rim. (Well not really how they made it but that glue really was that sticky.) Had as I recall a couple of blowouts on fast descents. Rolled to a stop even using that brake lightly. No big deal. Changed the tire and rode on. That usually happened with old tires but the glue simply didn't care how beat to s*** the tire was. Those blowouts were enough of a non-issue that how many, where they happened and whether front or rear simply didn't get recorded on my hard drive. Now my blowout on a tired clincher at 25 mph 10 years ago? That crash I will never forget. I've gone back to the old glued on tires for all my good bikes simply for that peace of mind. And downhills got fun again!
#38
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 2,584
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
Thanks very much all of your answers I was not expecting this much feedback. I should have known it would start an argument lol my apologies.
I feel much better knowing I can safely descend which I love. If it wasn't for being able to fly down the hills at 55mph I would still enjoy riding but not as much as I do. That is why I was scared to even go tubeless because of all the stuff I've read about the dangers of descending with a hookless rim.
Appreciate all the input, once again.
I feel much better knowing I can safely descend which I love. If it wasn't for being able to fly down the hills at 55mph I would still enjoy riding but not as much as I do. That is why I was scared to even go tubeless because of all the stuff I've read about the dangers of descending with a hookless rim.
Appreciate all the input, once again.
Go big or go home, lol... Now, your next question, what is the best tire to use and what sealant. And go
#39
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,303
Likes: 14,762
Question - do the semi-hooked rims keep older tubeless tires on the rim after a blowout at 40+ mph when you hit that rock you didn't see? I raced back in the days when we used glue made from the guts of dinosaurs to stick our tires onto the rim. (Well not really how they made it but that glue really was that sticky.) Had as I recall a couple of blowouts on fast descents. Rolled to a stop even using that brake lightly. No big deal. Changed the tire and rode on. That usually happened with old tires but the glue simply didn't care how beat to s*** the tire was. Those blowouts were enough of a non-issue that how many, where they happened and whether front or rear simply didn't get recorded on my hard drive. Now my blowout on a tired clincher at 25 mph 10 years ago? That crash I will never forget. I've gone back to the old glued on tires for all my good bikes simply for that peace of mind. And downhills got fun again!
#40
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
I have everything except the damn bike 😂 not sure that I mentioned but my friend that works at a bike shop is hooking me up with a bike at a great freaking deal and it should be here in the next week or so. I went with the enve ses aero handlebars too. Bike should be freaking amazing once it's ready to go. Will post update on that.
#41
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 2,584
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
Already have the tires lol. I've never used them but I went with the grand prix 5000 s tr. Seems like everyone reviews it pretty high. Previously I used the pirelli p zero race but those were clincher tires. I would have used those same tires in tubeless if they made them in a 30c but I believe the biggest is 28c. They do make 30s but not in the race version.
I have everything except the damn bike 😂 not sure that I mentioned but my friend that works at a bike shop is hooking me up with a bike at a great freaking deal and it should be here in the next week or so. I went with the enve ses aero handlebars too. Bike should be freaking amazing once it's ready to go. Will post update on that.
I have everything except the damn bike 😂 not sure that I mentioned but my friend that works at a bike shop is hooking me up with a bike at a great freaking deal and it should be here in the next week or so. I went with the enve ses aero handlebars too. Bike should be freaking amazing once it's ready to go. Will post update on that.
#42
#43
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
The P Zero Race TLR have multiple sizes including 30, 32, 35, and 40. I use 30's on my Domane and they are fantastic. I got 3100 miles on my last set, only replaced as I got a sidewall cut on the rear, but probably had another 1k or so left on them, did not see a small piece of metal on the road. Run 28's on my Emonda.
#44
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
You know, that is a good question. I am going to be emailing Reserve to se what they have to say about that. If semi-hooked doesn't provide the same safety measures when on a descend then what's the point right? I'll post an update if they respond which so far they've been very helpful.
#45
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
I just sent them a long email 😁 I hope they respond with a clear and concise explanation and not some technical mumbo-jumbo that will only leave me doubting my safety on descends. For now, I firmly believe that even a "semi hooked wheel" is a lot safer than a hookless. Again, I'll keep you all posted.
#46
SE Wis

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,551
Likes: 4,331
From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
He said that airplane tires and car tires have been tubeless for a long time, but the beads they use are so strong and stiff that you need a huge machine to put them on and they don't go in with your hands like road bike tires. He also said that those huge tires have a metal wire in their beads to further strengthen the bead and make them safe. .
ttttt
#47
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
#48
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 2,584
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
You are absolutely correct my mistake. Jeez it is so easy to spread misinformation isn't it? Lol. But I remember now why I didn't get the p zeros. They don't carry those at my buddy's job. They only carry the GPs and Vitorrias. He helped me get both tires for $105 total so I couldn't say no to that of course. I am definitely very fortunate that he's hooking me up otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford all of this right now.
Yea I get my Pirelli's from Lord Gun in Italy. When I bought my 30's, I got them on sale and got 2 sets at $38 each so when I needed to replace, I had a replacement ready to go. They have typically had the lowest price on them that I have found and I get them from Italy in 3 to 4 days. I know when I was looking for the 28's the pricing was around $55, so I just checked the pricing each day for a week and then I noticed they had dropped to about $40 one day, so I picked up 2 pairs.
#49
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 153
Likes: 40
Bikes: Cannondale caad10
Yea I get my Pirelli's from Lord Gun in Italy. When I bought my 30's, I got them on sale and got 2 sets at $38 each so when I needed to replace, I had a replacement ready to go. They have typically had the lowest price on them that I have found and I get them from Italy in 3 to 4 days. I know when I was looking for the 28's the pricing was around $55, so I just checked the pricing each day for a week and then I noticed they had dropped to about $40 one day, so I picked up 2 pairs.
#50
Senior Member



Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 2,584
From: Jacksonville, FL
Bikes: Trek Checkmate, Lynskey Elysium, Trek FX 5 Sport
A car tire will stand on its own, a bike tire will not, so I think you are good.




