Tyres, Tubes or no tubes help please

abarth_1200

Hi, so I'm about to change my tyres over to something more suited to the riding I'm getting into just now, tyres are Schwalbe Smart Sam performance folding in 2.25. Rims are the standard ones that came on the bike and are Alexrims on a specialised hard rock.

I've been looking at the tubeless kits you can buy but I'm unsure on if I would benefit from one of these kits and if they would work with my wheels. Main reason I'm wanting to try it out is to reduce weight and gain more grip and smooth out the ride.

Can anyone help and advise what kits are better, Stans, no tubes etc.

devbrix

Don't expect to lose much weight. The advantages are a much reduced chance of a puncture (unless its a large hole) or a pinch flat if you run lower pressures. There is a bit of an art to mounting some tyres tubeless and it's worth checking out the forums for which are easier than others. I've put tubeless on my wife's 2012 Alex rims without problems apart from a Maxxiss Beaver which I've always found more difficult to get a seal. Helps to pump up a new tyre with a tube in it or on the rim for a day beforehand and use plenty of soapy water and check you can get a seal first before adding sealant. Have used most brands of kit and personally now just go for the cheapest.

abarth_1200

So pretty much all tyres and rims can be converted to tubeless. Can folding bead tyres be used then?

Pressures im running at the moment are upwards of 40psi and the ride is pretty hard, im hoping to lower it to 35 or so. Do you think this lower psi along with no tubes will give me a smoother ride and more grip.

Thanks.

devbrix

Yep, folding tyres are fine. Not sure you will get a smoother ride. That might depend as much on your suspension / fork setup, frame, seat tube and saddle