Whattsssuuppp with the "new" tubeless tires???? Do they work? What's the point of them anyhow? Our stance at webmountainbike is that they are quite likely not yet ready for "Prime Time" and may be more trouble than they are worth, even if they did not cost more!! However, cars use tubeless tires of course, with quite good results, so maybe mountain bikes are next... Anyhow, here are some noted comments and info on those who are interested in Tubeless... *Launched by Mavic in 1999, they were supposed to be a great innovention, but only occupy a small niche of the market today>>>>>>> *You can still get a flat tire with tubeless, just not a pinch flat as there is no tube to pinch>>>>>>> *Bike shop owners have also been aware of the tubeless tires on their bikes constantly leaking and going flat while sitting in the shop - this is not a good sign!!>>>>>> *Tubeless tires main strong point is less weight>>>>>> *14 companies produce tubeless tires including Bontrager, Cane Creek, Mavic, and Shimano>>>>> *If you get a flat with tubeless, it may be more difficult to repair and re-inflate your tire & you still may need to put in a tube>>>>>> *Tubeless set-up with the rims, tires, rim strip, etc... costs a lot more$$$>>>>> ALL-IN-ALL we do not recommend tubeless tires on your mountainbike. At the current stage of development (2005), it is not a dependable or useful technology for the average rider. The verdict is still out on their future, but changes in their design and lower costs are important in deciding their fate... please see the below viewer comment~~MaNiMaL~~ *Hi There Just came across your site some nice info and pictures thanks. I do think you should re-evaluate your thinking on Tubeless tyres, With the exception of sidewall cuts, tubeless tyres with sealant in the tyre are almost impervious to anything the trail can throw at you. I, and thousands of other mountain bikers here in sunny South Africa can attest to this. I have been riding Maxxis Crossmark LUST tubeless tyres, (with Stans conversion initially and now on Mavic CrossMAX wheels) for the past two years, have had thousands of devil thorns penetrate the tyres, as well as quite a few pieces of glass, and I have not yet had to stop for a puncture. As far as I can remember none of my biking buddies have had a problem either. The only problem I know of was a chap we met in the forest who had cut the sidewall of the tyre open on a sharp rock but this would have been a problem even with tubes. You guys have probably heard of a race down here in South Africa the ABSA Cape Epic, 950Km and 18000 metres of climbing in a week ( http:// www.cape-epic.com). An awesome XC marathon event ridden in teams of two by around 1300 riders each year - virtually everyone who rides the race uses tubeless, Most of the ones who dont ride tubeless spend much of their day fixing punctures. And no in case you were wondering I dont work for a tyre company or a bike dealer for that matter I am just a guy who loves his mountain biking and I have become a total Tubeless convert. These things, may be a bit more expensive, but they are worth every cent. Cheers for now Rick Cape Town South Africa |
