Without question tubeless. The benefits are too great to ignore. You can run lower pressures without pinch flatting, with sealant say goodby to 95% of flats and lighter weight in most cases. What kind depends a little on the rims you're running. If non-UST, I would run a Stans kit. If UST rims, just get the tubeless valve stems and a bottle of stans. No need for rim strips. DT rims? it sounds like the DT kit is the way to go but I've had good luck with Stans rims strips in mine. Some have made their own ghetto tubeless conversions with degrees of success. Search mtbr for ghetto tubeless. Some have had troubles burping air/sealant when running tubeless conversions - especially with non-UST tires (happened to me for the first time in Mammoth last week) but I believe the benefits of tubeless far outweigh the rare occasion of a burp. C
Craig, what size tires were you running with Stans? I've heard smaller tires, 2.1 and lower are fine with Stans. Anything bigger and you run the risk of burping air or the tires coming off the rim. I've got 2.5 Nevegals on my bike and I really want to go tubeless, however, I'm afraid of them burping. I dunno why Kenda just doesn't come out with a big volume UST Nevegal. They would make a killing.
I'm running Kenda 2.35 Blue Groove/Nevegals on Mavic 819's on my 5 Spot. I had a huge Specialized 2.4 Enduro on before that. Kenda 2.1 BG/1.95 Nev on DT 4.1 on my Flux. I agree about Kenda needing a big UST tire. I'm going to try some Maxxis or Schwalbe's next. I hear a UST Big Betty is in the works. I believe Rob is running 2.5's tubeless without issue. I think as long as you're not trying to run a big tire on a really narrow rim you'd be OK. Worst case scenario you just pump the tire back up if it burps or put a tube in it. C
Thanks for the help. I'm non-UST. $55 for the kit plus 2 tires price. hmmm...may have to wait. I'll wait until I run out my tubed treads.
Thanks for the info Craig, I went to the Path at lunch and picked up a bottle of Stans. I'll be trying this out tonight.
I'm running a very narrow rim (American Classic) and I put on a Specialized Chunker 2.5, I did a lot of riding over 3 days on this combo with no burping what so ever. I was running between 20 to 25 pounds and it handle exceptionally well.I can't imagine not running Stans.
i personally havent needed to pull my toob.......and no berping nesessary. i can berp and pull my toob,but i choose not to.i kinda dont wanna berp while pulling my toob.hope that helps.
Call me old fashion, I like my tubes...no sealant. Running 2.5 Weirwolfs on Mavic 721 rims in Sedona at 25 lbs no problems. I put back on the Weirwolf 2.55 LT on the front and it shines here in AZ. These square edged rocks in AZ are hard on sidewalls.
I am sticking with the tubes! Until I decide that it's time to switch. Why ruin something tire wise that I have gotten used too.