Can you guys help me with ghetto tubeless?

noweyout

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Was looking into ghetto tubeless cuz stans strips are $20 each or $60 for kit.

Q1) Saw this version of ghetto tubeless where the guy used Gorrilla duct tape for rim strips. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UeO8Utfny0). I also read on MBAction this month that they used electric tape as a rim tape replacement. Any of these methods good? Any experience? Will stan's eventually leak out of the gorrilla tape? (obviously I would not use electric tape for tubeless)

Q2) I was looking for bmx tubes with presta valves and I don't think they exist. What size tubes do you guys use?

Q3) I was planning on cutting down the tube to just under where the bead sits. I want the tire to make contact with the rim w/o the rubber in between. Will it still work?

I had more questions but I forgot. I'll post more later.
 
i used the 20 inch tube on my 26 as a rim strip .

just search in youtube and there is a guy that walks u thru step by step
 
Tough to use a car valve stem on 355 rims since that would mean drilling. If you still have the Stan's valves you ought to be able to pull it off with 3M clear Duct tape or the gorilla stuff you mentioned. Bontrager makes actual liners but two wraps of tape and some super juice (better than most goops) ought to do the trick.

Good luck.
 
Before venturing into the dark side of ghetto tubeless, be warned, it could be a real sinch or it can be a real pain in the a%$$%:

Some tips:

1. An air compressor will make your life easier (I got a 100 psi one from Walmart $65 dollars).

2. Do not use brand new tires for your first conversion (or if using new tires, air them up with a tube for a couple of days before converting to tubeless...and put them out in the sun for an hour right before you mount it on the rim to shape them)

3. Do not use stans BEFORE making sure you can air up the tire or you'll waste it. Make sure you'll be able to get the tire to inflate in the first place.

4. Don't forget to use soapy water both sides of the tire.

5. Your tires might leak air the first night or two.....that's OK.....

6. Run your tires at a higher pressure initially in order to prevent BURPS and blowouts..


If you can't get your tire to mount, see #2 above...have fun!!
 
I have been ghetto for quite a while now and it works for me.
I use 20" tubes with presta valves. I stretch the tube over my rim and then cut the perfectly good tube down the middle. I pull the tube flaps over the sides of the rim, then I wet then tube with my stan's mixture.
I then mount the tire. I have used new, old, and somewhat questionable tires with equally good results. I wet the tire with soapy water on both beads, add 2.5 scoops of my secret Stan's and Slime mixture, and apply pressure using a compressor.
I use my wife's good manicure scissors (curved blades) to trim the excess tube that sticks out. She doesn't know...yet.
My current set-up is 2.35 Maxxis High Rollers (folding) on DT E 540 rims.
I've also had success with Specialized Enduro 2.2's on DT 4.2d rims.
I'm so ghetto I even have a patch on the outside of one of my tires to seal a sidewall cut. Still holding air....
Good Luck
 
I have been ghetto for quite a while now and it works for me.
I use 20" tubes with presta valves. I stretch the tube over my rim and then cut the perfectly good tube down the middle. I pull the tube flaps over the sides of the rim, then I wet then tube with my stan's mixture.
I then mount the tire. I have used new, old, and somewhat questionable tires with equally good results. I wet the tire with soapy water on both beads, add 2.5 scoops of my secret Stan's and Slime mixture, and apply pressure using a compressor.
I use my wife's good manicure scissors (curved blades) to trim the excess tube that sticks out. She doesn't know...yet.
My current set-up is 2.35 Maxxis High Rollers (folding) on DT E 540 rims.
I've also had success with Specialized Enduro 2.2's on DT 4.2d rims.
I'm so ghetto I even have a patch on the outside of one of my tires to seal a sidewall cut. Still holding air....
Good Luck
Same here! :bang::bang::bang:
 
I have been ghetto for quite a while now and it works for me.
I use 20" tubes with presta valves.

Where do you get the 20 inch with Presta? I use Shraeder but I cut off the valve and use the Mavic tubeless stems. That works fine but if you have a source for Presta I'd like to know where. Thanks.
 
I get them at the shop where I work, Helen's in Arcadia. They are not that hard to find. I've used 24" too but 20" works better-tighter fit.
 
ghetto tubeless conversion

I found these two interesting videos on youtube on a ghetto tubeless conversion.
1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRM7gq1fcoQ

2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwON2VxZL0g&feature=related


Does this actually work? Is it safe? Is it reliable? Has anyone done this? Is this something i shouldent try because it could fail at the worst possilbe time and make me eat it or ruin components?

Would it be better to spend the money on stans?

Fell free to post thaughts and opinions!!!!

Thanks in advance!:beer:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Please use the search function. There are already a gazillion posts about this subject:

Here is one (it's a sticky in this forum): http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/workshop/2090-tubeless-vs-tube-merged-sticky.html

I found these two interesting videos on youtube on a ghetto tubeless conversion.
1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRM7gq1fcoQ

2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwON2VxZL0g&feature=related


Does this actually work? Is it safe? Is it reliable? Has anyone done this? Is this something i shouldent try because it could fail at the worst possilbe time and make me eat it or ruin components?

Would it be better to spend the money on stans?

Fell free to post thaughts and opinions!!!!

Thanks in advance!:beer:
 
I don't even have the patience this time, suffice to say "your results may vary" and merge.
 

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