To tube or not to tube???

[ECOdork]

Maybe it's my desire to find an affordable solution to ease the upgrade itch, but all this talk about tubeless has me thinking....

So just how would I go about taking the stans plunge? Perhaps most importantly what is the estimated cost? I'll be due for some new tires pretty soon anyway (unless it keeps raining) so I don't feel like I'm wasting perfectly good rubber...

Rims:
Mavic 819 - already tubeless ready and I kept that funny adapter, TURNERob...now what?

Mavic 717 - ???

Honestly, what are the benefits? If you say "lower pressure" wouldn't that hurt climbing? And wouldn't lower pressure increase the risk of trashing sidewalls on gnarlicious rocks?

Would my $$$ be better spent servicing my fork (and throwing some enduro seals on)? I can just hear everyone (except Shinken) cring at the thought that I haven't serviced my fork...ever...

[Von-Diggity]

I think the most bang for your buck would be in fixing your fork, or replacing it with something better. I don't remember you flatting that often, tubeless wheels w/stans come with their own set of headaches.

[TURNERob]

Well you can easily do the front wheel tubeless since it is an 819 and won't require a rim strip or anything. All you'll need is some sealant or you can go the UST tire route and you'll just need the tire only. The rear you'll need to get a Stans kit so you might want to hold off on that until you see how you like the front. It does make a big difference in traction and overall feel of the bike. I just converted Bret's rear tire last night (his front was already done).....so I'll be curious to hear if he feels a difference. He already said just riding around on the pavement it felt different. Tubeless is the way to go, both for flat protection and performance.

[Von-Skipp]

Yo Lance. Since your front rim is 819, atleast convert that for now. If the funny adaptor piece Rob gave you is the presta valve then all you need is a tire and some Stans. Come over to my place and I'll help you do it. I bought everything fron NoTubes.com.

In Arizona I had my front tire tubeless. I didnt flat once in the front but multiple times in the rear. It really rides a whole lot nicer w/o tubes.

[ShinKen]

I know I'm gettin crap for this but do I really care?
I ride w/slime tubes and have been for a while now!! It's cheap and it does the job!! I know it's heavy for some people but it seems to cut down on buying and replacing tubes all the time. Last thing I can say is that I rode the Palm Ride on Sunday and didnt get one flat!! muuhahhahahahhahha!! ok now u can hate all u want he he





btw maybe someday I will go w/the tubeless thing. hmmm some day!!

[ECOdork]

Damn ShinKen, Slime tubes? Those things are like bricks! I couldn't even stand them in Texas!

At least you don't get flats! ...then again, I haven't had a flat in I don't know how long (...I shouldn't have said that......knock on wood....)

Lance,

For me, it was a matter of time. I know Rob can vouch for me, I once pinch flatted twice coming down from Old Camp in one ride. After this last weekends flat I had enough of tubes. Yes I'll still carry one in my camelbak for emergency purposes. I bought a Maxxis High Roller 2.35 (more like a true 2.1 when inflated) tire and that baby sealed up right away. This morning when I woke up, it was still fully inflated. Like Rob said, I rode around in front of his place last night and it may sound weird, but I did notice less rolling resistance/weight. Not having a tube in the back felt great. I can't wait to get it on some dirt.

If you dont have problems with pinch flats, then maybe service your fork first. But for me, it was a no brainer. Oh yeah, i got the kit at Pricepoint.com for $54.99.

[EndoMaster]

Is the sensation of rolling resistance really reduced that much just by going tubeless? I ask because I've been thinking of the Stans system and I also have a HighRoller and I can definitely feel the increased rolling resistance from the Maxxis.

Agustin

[ECOdork]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'll mull it over but my fork probably needs service more than anything else.

Kippie said the nevegal and bluegroove non-ust worked well, so I'll probably get those when the time comes and make the decision then.

Endomaster- that "hand's free" device pic cracks me up!

[EndoMaster]

It's great isn't it? I found the picture while looking for a drawing of a Yeti to use as an avatar and the photo of guy with the "handsfree" setup came up in the search. What it has to do with Yeti's I don't know but I DO KNOW that it made me laugh instantly when I saw it.


Agustin

Originally Posted by ECOdork

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'll mull it over but my fork probably needs service more than anything else.

Kippie said the nevegal and bluegroove non-ust worked well, so I'll probably get those when the time comes and make the decision then.

Endomaster- that "hand's free" device pic cracks me up!

[Pain Freak]

I will take any bike I have to Stans tubeless. I hate changing a tube during a ride. I have only flatted one time (because I didn't update the goop) in all the time I've been running Stans. The slime tubes will still pinch flat and even after you get too many stickers holes it won't seal any longer. My ss still has slime in it, basically because I'm to lazy to convert it, but I'll get it there. I think it's probably the best upgrade you can make for your bike for the money. Lower tire pressure is what I've found to be one of the best benefits outside of no flats. Any rim tire will work, but on the Kenda website they say' not to use Stans. I run WTB and Maxxis tires with the system and it works great.

[Skeeter]

Kinda late question on this but i figured why start a new thread.
Yesterday was the end of tubes for me, at least in the rear tire right now
I just ordered the Stans kit and need a new tire also. On the Kenda's Nev do I have to order the tubeless one or does it matter. Notubes, where i ordered the kit from, said i don't need the tubeless tire but i wanted your guys opinion on it.
I don't know if there is an advantage going with the folding bead or the tubeless model. Weight really doesn't matter to me, im slow no matter how heavy. Jenson USA has the same price so that doesn't matter either.

Thanks

[dukethenuke]

if you don't care about the weight go with the tubeless tire, it gives you better sidewall protection. But the normal tire is fine also, just make sure you put enough Stan's in it. I didn't add enough Stans the first time and it wouldn't seal up a hole.

[Von-Skipp]

Did you just order the kit for the rear? You should both at the same time!!

Most of here dont use UST tires, as you can get away with non-ust tires fine (Kenda's speaking acourse).

I would go for the 2.1 BG/Nev combo with Stans. Can't beat it!

[CalEpic]

Don't order a UST (tubeless) tire unless you have a tubeless rim.

Lucas I would check that rim carefully before mounting another tire. Make sure there are not any burrs around the valve stem hole, etc. No sense ruining an expensive rim strip.

Kendas can be one of the harder tires to convert to Stan's but I think you'll appreciate the benefits.

C

[Skeeter]

Yeah im kinda worried about that rim also. I have been checking ebay and such for a used rear rim setup to replace mine. The Deore hubs and Sun Rims aren't great so i might be able to upgrade at the same time.

[CalEpic]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

Yeah im kinda worried about that rim also. I have been checking ebay and such for a used rear rim setup to replace mine. The Deore hubs and Sun Rims aren't great so i might be able to upgrade at the same time.

I wouldn't buy used unless you're buying high end hubs.

You can usually pick up a new set of XT/Sun or XT Mavic disc wheels for about $150 fr/rr

If you want to replace the Deore/Sun combo, you should be able to get a set for under $100 fr/rr

Check Jenson

C

[TURNERob]

Yeah Jenson has a good deal on some XT hubs on Mavic 317's for $189 I think.

I would not opt for a UST tire, run a kevlar bead Kenda or if you want something that will seal up very easily try a Maxxis tire.

Speaking of tires, I finally got my Big Betty from Larry today so I'll have to mount that up in the front of my 6 Pack tonight

[royta]

What's the deal with Kenda tires? I'm currently running a 2.1 DTC Nev (rear) and a 2.1 Stick-E BG (front). I only run 32 psi in the back and 30 psi up front.

I've noticed lately that my front tire must be traveling around the rim on my downhills. The presta valve will start out perfectly centered, but will end up angled. Due to the nut on the valve, the valve ends up pulling out of the tube on real sharp hits. At first, I thought it could be caused by laziness and not making sure the tube is perfectly lined up with the hole in the rim, but after three or four occurences (only one valve pulled out luckily), I can only guess the tire is actually spinning along the rim. I use tons of talcum powder, so there's no way the tube is starting out cockeyed (I don't think).

Anyway, I am seriously considering Stan's but I've been using Kenda's lately, and I probably only two times a week, three at most.

[TURNERob]

Just curious as to what type of rims you are running Royta? I've never heard of a problem like that before

Anyway, just convert them to Stan's.....you'll appreciate the advantages

EDIT: wonder if the fact you run rim brakes has something to do with your tube issues? Also what kind of tubes are you running?