Ghetto Tubeless

[Cubist]

I've ordered a wheelset with Stan's Arch EX rims. That has got me thinking about tubeless solutions for my XC wheelset and inevitably I gravitated towards reading articles on "Ghetto Tubeless." This thread in STW is worth reading, but the photos at the bottom of the page suggest it may be a frustrating experience!

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ghetto-tubeless-9

 

[Chris S]

What's the advantage of doing this?

 

[Crackle]

Panter on here uses this technique. He took two 20" tubes off me, specifically to do that, says it works well. Hopefully he'll see this thread.

 

[Cubist]

What's the advantage of doing this?

Apparently it does several things. It means the sidewalls are more supple making an off-road tyre more forgiving and giving better grip
No inner tube means no pinch-flats, a common issue on rocky surfaces where folk try to reduce tyre pressures to gain grip.
In some applications a reduction in weight, but not if you use proper UST tyres. The sealant used seals thorn flats and small tears.
Others will tell you more advantages.

 

[simon.r]

Things have probably moved on since then, but when I tried Stan's tubeless system (mid 90's? It was before UST tyres came out, I remember ordering it from the Sates) it was incredibly difficult to get air in the tyres quickly enough. I spent hours with latex and a mini-compressor trying to get the bloody beads to seal!

I was going through a weight-weenie stage I remember my hard-tail MTB weighed 20 1/2 lb at one stage!

 

[Panter]

This is the write up from when I did mine.
The main advantage (for me) is that of puncture resistance. You just don't get any, ever.
The only main disadvantage is that you can't change tyres. Or, obviously you can, but it's a lengthy process.

Some rim/tyre combo's can also be an absolute nightmare to get inflated, others just waft up with a few strokes from a track pump.
I don't know if it's in the thread you linked to (haven't read it yet) but there was a thread on there about knocking up a 2l drink bottle with valves to act as an air reservoir to rapidly inflate the tyre and seat it properly, that looked like an incredibly good idea.

Overall I'd thoroughly recommend ghetto tubeless although when, at some point, I replace my wheelset I'm going to go for tubeless rims to save myself the hassle.

EDIT: To add, if you do go this route, do remember to top up your tyres with sealant every few Months. You'll get away without doing it on a tubeless tyre, but not a regular one.

 

[Cubist]

This is the write up from when I did mine.
The main advantage (for me) is that of puncture resistance. You just don't get any, ever.
The only main disadvantage is that you can't change tyres. Or, obviously you can, but it's a lengthy process.

Some rim/tyre combo's can also be an absolute nightmare to get inflated, others just waft up with a few strokes from a track pump.
I don't know if it's in the thread you linked to (haven't read it yet) but there was a thread on there about knocking up a 2l drink bottle with valves to act as an air reservoir to rapidly inflate the tyre and seat it properly, that looked like an incredibly good idea.

Overall I'd thoroughly recommend ghetto tubeless although when, at some point, I replace my wheelset I'm going to go for tubeless rims to save myself the hassle.

EDIT: To add, if you do go this route, do remember to top up your tyres with sealant every few Months. You'll get away without doing it on a tubeless tyre, but not a regular one.

Thanks. I've just received my ArchEX wheelset and very lovely it looks too. I'll be shopping tomorrow for the tape and valves. The ghetto thing was to sort out the XC bike.

That link is very informative. I expect a couple of schrader 20" to fall into the basket in the morning!

 

[Panter]

Thanks. I've just received my ArchEX wheelset and very lovely it looks too. I'll be shopping tomorrow for the tape and valves. The ghetto thing was to sort out the XC bike.

That link is very informative. I expect a couple of schrader 20" to fall into the basket in the morning!

Good stuff

Another quick tip, whilst I remember, is that inflation is easy with CO2 canisters but the carbonic acid formed prevents the latex from working as efficiently.
You can use it (I have done myself) but after it's inflated and stable it's a good idea to let the tyre down (remembering to leave the valve at the top of the tyre so you don't get sprayed with latex) and replace it with air.

Good luck,

 

[Cubist]

Fitted a pair of tubeless Nobby Nic Snakeskin 2.4s to the new Stans ArchEX wheelset today. Got them up and running very nicely. Have had a quick ride but nothing very testing. I also sneaked a couple of 20" tubes into the basket at Halfords (3 for 2 on tubes right now!) so will try a ghetto job on the XC wheels.