Tubeless valve round vs square

karstenk
karstenk Posts: 9
edited April 2019 in Workshop
Hi

I want to convert my Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 TLR wheels into tubeless. I need some valves, I'm looking at two types, one have a square end, the other have a round / conical end. What's the difference?

The original Bontragers are square https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycling-components/bike-tyres/bike-tyre-accessories/bontrager-aeolus-3-tlr-rim-valve/p/27399/?colorCode=greylight.
But the round / conical of another brand are less than half the price.

Comments

  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    karstenk wrote:
    Hi

    I want to convert my Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 TLR wheels into tubeless. I need some valves, I'm looking at two types, one have a square end, the other have a round / conical end. What's the difference?

    The original Bontragers are square https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycling-components/bike-tyres/bike-tyre-accessories/bontrager-aeolus-3-tlr-rim-valve/p/27399/?colorCode=greylight.
    But the round / conical of another brand are less than half the price.

    My guess is that the Bontrager valves are square profile for a reason. In other words the valve insert portion of the aeolus rim has a square profile recess to provide the airtight seal necessary for a tubeless set up. Have a check of the rim to see if that's the case. If it is then I doubt if round profile valves would be effective.

    Others with direct experience may be able to offer more accurate advice
  • barongreenback
    barongreenback Posts: 229
    Conical valves are fine with my Bontrager wheels. It’s the rest of the rim that’s a problem!

    Incidentally I found with the Bontrager valves that when you tighten them they can twist against the inner channel of the rim strip. Need to use a screwdriver to hold them in place.
  • orlok
    orlok Posts: 89
    karstenk wrote:
    Hi

    I want to convert my Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3 TLR wheels into tubeless. I need some valves, I'm looking at two types, one have a square end, the other have a round / conical end. What's the difference?

    The original Bontragers are square https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/equipment/cycling-components/bike-tyres/bike-tyre-accessories/bontrager-aeolus-3-tlr-rim-valve/p/27399/?colorCode=greylight.
    But the round / conical of another brand are less than half the price.
    If you know better then the original Bontragers then buy them with round / conical end and try them and you will see what's happening.! ;-) I have tried both and prefer the round / conical ends but I don't have Bontrager rims.
    There will be always a moment of tailwind.Pinarello F8/10 - Ultegra 8000 Di2 - Carbonspeed C50 UST - Tubeless
  • karstenk
    karstenk Posts: 9
    I posting an update with my experiences so far, perhaps it can be useful to someone in the future :-)

    The rim itself is not flat, but the TLR rim strip has a flat area just around the valve hole. Which I assume will fit the TLR valve just fine. I went ahead and bought a conical valve (Lifeline from Wiggle). It doesn't seal, I believe it's because the hole in the rim strip is too small. It's just a bit wider than the valve stem, so the rubber part of the conical valve doesn't go into the valve hole, but is just squished above the valve hole.

    I'm using the GP 5000 TL 25 mm. and have managed to get them unto the wheel, but it was insanely difficult to get on. I will never be able to mount it outside the workshop. In comparison the GP 4000 with an inner tube was quite easy to install.

    Perhaps I will try to get the Bontrager TLR valve, but for now I just use normal clincher tires.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Hammer the valve in place with a rubber mallet.

    With conical valves you have to do this to get a good seal that's reliable.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Alejandrosdog
    Alejandrosdog Posts: 1,975
    Ahhhh good old tubeless, heavy and a PIA
  • zefs
    zefs Posts: 484
    It depends on the internal rim "well" which valve you need to use:

    Square (left) vs Round (right)
    YQEMPlJ.jpg
  • yonny
    yonny Posts: 36
    Alejandrosdog wrote:
    Ahhhh good old tubeless, heavy and a PIA

    Nah.
    I just went tubeless a fortnight ago. It was easy. A 20 minute job. Well worth doing imo.
  • barongreenback
    barongreenback Posts: 229
    As I implied earlier in the thread, Bontrager wheels are barely suitable for TLR even with the included strip. I had to add extra tape on top of the strip to get mine to seal properly. They are ok now (using Milkit valves, which are conical) but the experience of using a well designed rim for tubeless is night and day.

Categories