Tire Questions

[BrewMaster]

What are the pros and cons of folding bead, aramid/Kevlar bead, and wire bead tires? Is there a performance difference?

Another random tire question. I've seen people talk about "snake bites." Is that another name for a pinch flat?

[tkblazer]

mainly weight i would say, between folding/wire bead... i usually see wire bead on heavier downhill type tires.

snake bite/pinch is same thing

[DownhillWebKook]

The heavier bead tires stay on a bit better. I went lighter on my mtx bike (just to see how that would work out) and I started ripping the rear tire off the rim when cornering (brrraaaap). I have never had this happen on kevlar/wire bead tires. The good thing is that it's pretty easy to get the folding bead tire off to fix it and then back on to pin it again. The folding bead is a bit less durable, basically, if you're subjecting to big lateral forces (like those applied in downhill cornering).

[Shu]

Pinch flats don't happen nearly as much if at all w/ wire bead/DH tires but the rolling weight is a lot more...

[guero]

you'll never pinch flat if you run STANS....but you could burrrrrrrrrrrp.

[JustBike]

Originally Posted by guero

you'll never pinch flat if you run STANS....but you could burrrrrrrrrrrp.

is "stans" that one tubeless tire where they puncture it many times and it just reseals itself?

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by Shu

Pinch flats don't happen nearly as much if at all w/ wire bead/DH tires but the rolling weight is a lot more...

Main reason that DH tires won't pinch flat is the heavier 3+ ply case (typical XC tire is 2ply) And you can get some with Kevlar/aramid beads.

A standard wire bead version of an XC tire will theoretically have the same sidewall stiffness, and therefore resistant to pinch flatting/rim damage, but add about 70 grams. Most tire manufacturers molds are set up to accept either a wire or kevlar bead.

But as Guero mentions, run stans and say goodbye to pinch flats.

Andy

[guero]

Originally Posted by JustBike

is "stans" that one tubeless tire where they puncture it many times and it just reseals itself?

stans is a product in which you can run tubeless with non-ust tires (often times people with ust tires put a little stans inside as a precautionary measure). it is a liquid "latex" like sealant that will find most small punctures and clog/fill it. as you saw in the video or ads, it can handle multiple punctures but isnt 100% bullet proof. i need to get myself a conversion kit very soon here. just like everything else, it has its downfalls and can be a real pain in the butt to set up depending on what brand of tire you use it with.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by guero

you'll never pinch flat if you run STANS....but you could burrrrrrrrrrrp.

Yeah, the burps that can cause the tires to go instantly flat, potentially causing crashes?

Oh, and don't say never...you can still pinch flat a tire - been there, done that...now I just run a tube in that tire. I seem to destroy more tire sidewalls when I run stans instead of tubes.

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by mechmann

if you run steel bead DH tires you most likely will never burp.

The other option is some of the new "Tubeless Ready" tires, that people like Hutchinson are putting out. They use a UST style bead, but a standard case, so you can get a reasonable weight tire, without the heavy UST Tubeless casing, then just throw in Stans or similar and off you go.

I've seen some of their XC tires already in this style, and rumour has it that they'll have 2.3 all mtn tires soon.

Hopefully others mfg's will follow this trend and we can all Stans without the "Burps"

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by biglimey

The other option is some of the new "Tubeless Ready" tires, that people like Hutchinson are putting out. They use a UST style bead, but a standard case, so you can get a reasonable weight tire, without the heavy UST Tubeless casing, then just throw in Stans or similar and off you go.

I've seen some of their XC tires already in this style, and rumour has it that they'll have 2.3 all mtn tires soon.

Hopefully others mfg's will follow this trend and we can all Stans without the "Burps"

The new Specialized XC tires come with this UST style bead. I just installed an non-tubeless S Works on my tubeless rims and they sealed very easily with a floor pump.

[biglimey]

Originally Posted by Pilas

The new Specialized XC tires come with this UST style bead.

Good to know, they've got some good tread patterns also!

[SAR_boats]

I am now running stans in my tubes just for the flat reduction. The extra weight doesn't bother me and if it means I won't have to worry about flats for a while then it is a small price to pay.

Not sure if it was mentioned before but kevlar bead tires are easier to fix flats on, wire beads can be a real pain especially when they are new.

[Chewyeti]

newb question-

what does UST stand for?

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Chewyeti

newb question-

what does UST stand for?

Universal System Tubeless

[J_Sims]

No Comment.... I do not want to JINX myself.... But run Stans