Jed19

I want to turn either my Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL or ES Anniversary Edition wheelset into a tubeless ride. I have read Lenard Zinn arguing against using regular clincher rims for tubeless set-ups, because tubeless-specific rims have a different kind of rim lip design that is meant to lock with tubeless tire beads. I am kind of eager to do the conversion, so I called Mavic Technical department yesterday, and the gentleman I talked to said not to do it. He has seen it done, but says there are potential problems with blowouts due to the inherent weakness at the rim lip/tire bead juncture.


Anybody done/doing this without issue(s)? The tire I plan on using, if I go ahead, are the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX.

Thanks for all responses.

elcruxio

Zinn argues against everything...
The mavic rep is most likely just trying to tell you not to do it so IF something does happen they do not get sued.

I have a tubeless setup on my CXP33 rims. No problems even though the rim isn't a tubeless specific rim. The rim might make a difference, or it might not. I have not had any issues.

Andy Somnifac 

I've run my old Mavic Kyserium Elite wheels tubeless with no issues. Also not a "tubeless ready" rim, but it works.

rdtompki

I'm also running "regular" rims with tubeless tires

znomit

Hey why not, if the 41 says its ok then it must be, right?

Jed19

The response that would make a difference are gonna be from people with practical experience. Responses from those who have run similar set-ups without issues are what I'm looking for.

kleng

Don't understand why you want to go tubeless, it's a lot more finicky and the improvement is not conclusive

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/...eless?page=0,1

znomit

Presumably for the ability to run reduced pressures and supposedly fewer punctures.

jtuba

I'm running a tubeless setup with Easton EA 90s, Stan's tape, Caffelatex, and Bontrager R3s. No issues for the past 3+ months. One day I may get a tubeless ready set as light as my Eastons.

dalava

Them Stan's alpha ZTR 340 are lighter.

rdtompki

That isn't much of an experiment. I believe a number of folks are going tubeless in order to run lower pressures; this may be the majority. What, then, does it prove to do a test with the tubeless and tube tires at the same pressure (or did I miss something?)? Now, lower the pressure may increase the disparity.

One thing I can say with certainty: cornering on rough roads is improved at the lower pressures afforded by tubeless tires. The ride is, of course, better. These two factors in my situation are sufficient to warrant going tubeless.

garciawork

I ran it on a set of mavic rims once, NOT open pro's. I remember reading years ago that the open pro was the one rim Stan's knew of that could not convert. I never had a single issue on mine. I then moved to Stan's wheels, followed by Fulcrum, so the mavic was the only non tubeless example I have.

cxwrench

Zinn and Bicycling Mag...the 2 undisputed fountains of cycling knowledge. I've run Velocity, Mavic, and non-TLR Bontrager rims tubeless w/ not a single issue. I've used Stans tape and valves on dozens and dozens of wheels of all types for customers and never found them to be anything but reliable. You can definitely run them at lower pressure(not sure why you'd use the same pressure as w/ tubes) and they ride pretty well. I still use tubeless Bontrager Race wheels for training...i've never had a flat.

rbrsddn

One thing I can say with certainty: cornering on rough roads is improved at the lower pressures afforded by tubeless tires. The ride is, of course, better. These two factors in my situation are sufficient to warrant going tubeless.[/QUOTE]


What he said.

pmt

Yep, I've converted seven different kinds of rim with Stan's tape and ridden tens of thousands of kilometers on some of them; it's no problem at all.

Jackmen

Being a 20 year cycling veteran, a year ago I decided to try tubeless on my new neuvation FC-500 electronic shifting Ultegra Bike. I had the bike set up with conventional R28SL neuvation allow wheels (1600 g Wheels). They used Hutchinson Intensives tubeless tires, with sealant. I instantly loved this set up. Switched to 80-85 PSI, with a much more comfortable ride with better handling. Ran this set up for 1500 miles, no flats.

This year I upgraded to a Farsport 23 wide by 50 deep carbon fiber wheel with no spoke holes on the inside of the rim, but a conventional rim not set up for tubeless (1530 Grams for the set). Put Schwalbe Ultremo 23mm tubeless on these with stan's sealant. I have put 1700 miles on these wheels and tires and they have been great and very fast. No flats in 1700 miles.

Overall I will never go back to tubed tires. You don't need special wheels for tubeless, just get the special tubeless tires, use sealant and you are good to go. Wheels work better and ride much smoother with the 80-85 PSI allowed by the tubeless set ups and the sealant reduces the chances of flats, based on my 3200 Miles of experience on them.

I highly recommend a tubeless set up. The only negative is that the tires are a bit more expensive, than regular clinchers.

Jiggle

All my tubeless setups right now are on non-tubeless rims with non-tubeless specific tires. I don't recommend it. But, it works for me since I'm light. Like has been said, for high pressures the tire is the most important factor. For low pressures, the rim bed must be built up.

znomit

Do you not want to hear from people who have tried it and had problems?

Jed19

Yes, please post whatever horror stories you can. Thanks!