What no inner tube?

[Paceline_Addict]

This is my second defection from MTB to road/TT life, this time through acquiring a decent TT bike with Zipp carbon wheels.

Thing is, the tyres appear tubeless and frankly, I'm clueless! I've tried following various discussions on the subject (one particularly lengthy session during TV coverage of the '08 TdF), but nowt seems to make sense!

Is there a link to an info resource here, or can anyone shed light on the subject... the propsect of suffering a puncture and being left stranded in racing shoes, miles from home, clasping a redundant Halfrauds puncture repair kit appears as attractive as a night 'in' with Vicky Pollard!

Thanks in advance... ADDICT.

 

[peanut]

I read something about tubeless recently somewhere.
If your rims are single walled then you need to fit some special rim tape that seals the rim where the spoke nipples protrude. If the rims are double skinned then there is a better seal obviously. I presume that the tyres must have different bead profiles but I think you can retrofit to normal rims.
Let us know what you find out as it sounds like an interesting option

 

[Will1985]

I'm pretty sure that Zipp now make tubeless compatible wheels (since last year), but they use the same rim platform as clinchers so you can use a clincher+tube if you want.

This rather sounds like a 2nd hand TT bike, and the wheels are likely to be older. The OP is probably confusing tubeless with tubular. If you have a puncture on a tubular you can ride on them if necessary but you'll really need a new tub which can be quite expensive, then there is the glueing of the tyre to the rim...

 

[Paceline_Addict]

Thanks Peanut & Will... I'll look at the wheel spec and try to 'fugde' fitment of clinchers & tubes - the prospect of dabbling with rim tape and glue seems like a load of effort for little/no reward.

I'll post my findings here as soon as I've sorted a solution.

Cheers - Addict.

 

[montage]

was an article about tubeless in cycling weekly recently...Ill try dig it up.