Tubeless

gunny_bedford
gunny_bedford Posts: 347
edited March 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Hi

I am looking to go tubeless on my Trek fuel ex8. It has the bontrager race disc tubeless wheels.

i am a bit confused what i exactly need to do this, a search on the forum found this article where the author stated you needed

"To go tubeless you need to order:

2 x tubeless Bontrager rim strips
1 x Bottle of Bonty sealant
2 x Valve cores.

I have done it with Bonty Mud X tyres on my Trek and Jones/ACX on my hardtail. "

my confusion is if my wheels are tubeless ready, why do i need to remove the rim strips and replace them as the author did with his, his bike was also a EX8 so assume it had the same wheels??

Also what is the best all round bontrager tubeless tyre to go for, i want to shave off a bit of weight, but i guess dont want major problems in the gloop !!the jones XR's that came with my bike were no good in the mud !

can i use any tyre on these race disc wheels to go tubeless? i have a pair of panaracer fire XC on at present and would perhaps want to go tubeless with them, could they be used??
thanks

Neil

Comments

  • stu8975
    stu8975 Posts: 1,334
    Tubeless ready tyres or tubeless tyres, valves and sealant. Personally found stans to be the best sealant so far.
  • nik young
    nik young Posts: 257
    can i use any tyre on these race disc wheels to go tubeless? i have a pair of panaracer fire XC on at present and would perhaps want to go tubeless with them, could they be used??

    i used my fires when i converted over to tubeless mine where not wire beaded ones though just have to slosh the solution around to seal the inside of the tyre
  • pilsburypie
    pilsburypie Posts: 891
    You need tubeless ready tyres. You also need Bontrager tubeless rim strips - my wheels on my 09 EX8 are Rhythm comp - I think yours should be the same - Make sure you buy the assymetric rim strips. They fit the wheel perfectly. Stans sealant is the best by far..... read the reviews..... Used it on my Mud-X tyres and have had no problems for the last 4 months since conversion. About to change the tyres for tubeless Maxxis High Roller/Ignitor for the spring summer......

    You'll also need the valves too. My recommendation if this is your first tubeless conversion is to read all the posts, watch the Stan's No Tubes video and think about it and how you are gonna do it. I guarantee you will swear and curse doing it, but once done for the first time it is easy..... You just need to get past the first time!
  • bells0
    bells0 Posts: 414
    You've quoted me there.

    Take it your EX8 is 2008?

    The wheels on the 09 are Rhythm comps, and although tubeless ready, came with tubes and the standard thin rimstrip.

    You need the thicker plastic rim strip to go tubeless, is heavier than the tape thats there, but it help the bead of the tyre to fully seal so no tube is needed.

    Used Bonty juice on my Trek and Stans sealant on my Scott [bought a 2nd hand set of Rhythm comps for that too] - both have sealed with no fuss at all.

    Hardest part was getting the tyres back on once i'd fitted the new rim strips.

    You can use standard tyres, but not advisable. Heard Panaracers have a habit of coming loose as the side walls arent strong.

    See this site for info on tyres:

    http://www.justridingalong.com/content.php?pid=529
  • bells0
    bells0 Posts: 414
    PS if you want to stick with Bonty tubeless tyres i would suggest keeping the Jones x on the back for Summer and getting a Jones ACX for the front [has more tread for grip]. Cheaper than buying 2 new tyres now the weather is getting better.

    Looking forward to a review from Pilsbury on his Maxxis tyres though :wink: