iPAQsRock

I'm looking to go with new Tubeless wheels/tires for my 2007 Roubaix S-Works that I'm upgrading. I was thinking about Campagnolo's new Shamal Ultra 2-Way Fit wheels. What is the word on this wheelset from previous years? Any known issues?

Also, are there any tubeless tires other than Hutchinson’s at this time?
Thanks

umd

Some of the new Rovals (Specialized) are tubeless for 2009.

DanMartin

I have a set of the new Shamal 2 way wheels. They are great. Installation is just like a clincher (except you don't need to worry about the inner tube being in correctly). You do need to pay attention to where the bead lines up, but no more than you would with a clincher, it just seats differently.
Right now, I think the Hutchinson's are the only thing available, I wonder if the Specialized are just re-branded Hutchinsons?
I am using Stan's sealant & haven't had a cut in the tires, or a flat after about 10 2-3 hour rides. I am coming off of riding tubulars for 25+ years (I rode clinchers for a brief period), & the tubeless ride is great. Very smooth, running 90 psi, cornering grip is much better.

Sinn

So far I'm totally diggin the Dura-Ace 7850sl's. I'll have a review in a little while. (And, if you look in the right places, you can get these wheels for around $800; but watch out on the Hutchinson tires, they now go for $70 at the lowest; they used to be around $40).

cyclingvirtual

seems cheaper to keep with tubs !!!!

iPAQsRock

DanMartin, thanks for the Shamal 2 way wheel info. They were my first choice until I saw the Fulcrums.

It seems that Fulcrum Racing Zero's 2-way fit are very similar to the Shamal 2 way fit wheels. Not sure if they have the carbon hubs or not. Anybody have any experience with the Zeros?

DanMartin

The Fulcrums are the same as the Shamal's. The 2 way Fulcrum Zero's do have the carbon shells on the hubs. I'm not sure if the Fulcrums are available yet, between the two it would just be a matter of color choice.

8Lives

I have Duraace 7801's and (finally) put on a set of Hutchinson Fusion tubeless. Prior to the hutchinsons I put about 8,000 miles on Michelin Pro2 and Pro3 races. Some quick observations after about 500 miles:

1. The Fusions mount easier (much easier) than the Michelins. I think the tubeless wheel design has a higher lip in the rim, making it kinda hard to mount a tight tire like the Pro 3. The Fusions go right on, but...

2. Getting the initial seal on my front was hard for some reason, the back was easy

3. I didn't bother with the sealant, since you can just throw a tube in it if you get a flat.

4. The ride is great - I am running 95 front/100 rear and it just floats over rough road.

5. This isn't scientific but...I have a descent near my house that is pretty good for high speed runs. On the Pro3 I usually hit 49-51mph, and my fastest was 56.2. With the fusions I hit 60.6 and nearly every run down is in the mid-50s. They are supposed to have less rolling resistance, but i think at least part of the gain is because they roll so nicely over what is a fairly rough road that I have more confidence.

6. I think the biggest downside is that while the tubeless tires won't get a pinch flat, if they do flat you probably need to replace the tire. You could run a tube in it, but that kind of defeats the purpose..

8Lives

i weigh 148, maybe I am still running them too high? Hard to completely break the high pressure habit

DanMartin

I went with 90psi, a friend of mine who weighs about the same (154 pounds) recommended it. He said it worked the best overall for him. They feel high pressure enough for me, I came off of tubulars running about 120-130psi. I haven't really tried different pressure rates, I am sure like anything there are pros & cons.
If they feel good for you at 95/100 that's all that matters.
Hutchinson does make a patch repair kit that works pretty well.
My friend has had good luck with it, fortunately I haven't had to deal with any flats yet. It's just like a tube patch kit.

VTT

Great info, 8Lives, thanks!

dysFTP

When will we see tubeless tubulars?

wfrogge

Few years ago as Tufo has had a model out for awhile

Sinn

I've got the next generation of these, the DA 7850sl's, running Hutchinson tubeless tires. I love them. I think that most of what this reviewer says about the last generation 7801sl's applies to the 7850's. Also the nipples on the 7850's are baack at the rim, so truing is not as much of a pain in the ass as it is for the 7801's.

However, I disagree with the idea that one doesn't need sealant. I once went on a ride were I got a small staple in my rear tire. I did not flat. And when I pulled the staple out, the sealant plugged the hole and I have been good ever since.

Other observations on these wheels. They are VERY stiff. I train on a Bontrager Racelite powertap rear wheel and a Torrelli Bormio front wheel, and, between my training wheels and the DA's, the difference in stiffness is like night and day. I climb faster with the DAs, sprint faster, descend and turn with greater stability. Now, the DA's aren't the lightest (around 1500 grams per pair), but the weight is so well placed on the wheel and it is so stiff that it still feels like a lighter wheel.

Now, for the best part, I weight about 150 and I run the tire pressure at around 85-90psi! This gives me a superbe ride-quality and excellent grip on corners, as good as, if not better than (because of the peace of mind of a clincher), the Conti Sprinter tubulars I've ridden in the past.

All in all, excellent wheels for almost any race venue, except a time trial, especially longer rides that may have rough roads.

wfrogge

Im too worried about the tire "burping air" while taking a crit corner at 35mph.

Sinn

I've never had a problem with this.

wfrogge

Ive seen it happen on the road and with cross racing.

jonestr

you should be running more pressure if the tire is burping. Also, the Hutchinson do not rely on air pressure for their form like regular clinchers so a minor change in air pressure will not cause the tire to fold.