Tubeless road tires idea

Phil said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless w/slime?
Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes, there doesn't seem
to be a reason not to try it, especially if you get flats on a constant
basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

I think Vredestein et al have essentially solved the problem of flats
for most people by using soft rubber layers (they claim the PRS tyres
are twice as effective as Kevlar belts, which IME make for a
horrid-riding tyre). I've been very impressed - one very slow puncture
in 2500 miles, ridden in all sorts of conditions.

One advantage I could see to tubeless tyres would be the ability to
mount them with tools without the risk of trapping a tube. Some
foldable tyres are a real struggle when new, although they all seem to
stretch after a fortnight on the rim.

Incidentally, the tubeless tyres used on cars have much lower air loss
than tubed tyres. That's one of the reasons they were introduced.

Phil said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless w/slime?
Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes, there doesn't seem
to be a reason not to try it, especially if you get flats on a constant
basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

I think Vredestein et al have essentially solved the problem of flats
for most people by using soft rubber layers (they claim the PRS tyres
are twice as effective as Kevlar belts, which IME make for a
horrid-riding tyre). I've been very impressed - one very slow puncture
in 2500 miles, ridden in all sorts of conditions.

One advantage I could see to tubeless tyres would be the ability to
mount them with tools without the risk of trapping a tube. Some
foldable tyres are a real struggle when new, although they all seem to
stretch after a fortnight on the rim.

Incidentally, the tubeless tyres used on cars have much lower air loss
than tubed tyres. That's one of the reasons they were introduced.

Squid-in-Training said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless w/slime?
Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes, there doesn't seem
to be a reason not to try it, especially if you get flats on a constant
basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

YMMV, but for me, this would represent about triple the amount of time
and effort that I spend fixing flats over the life of a tire given the
continual need to add more latex. (Also, over time, would that
continual addition process not make the wheel awfully heavy?)

I'm sure there are people who would regard this as a wonderful thing.
I'm not one of them.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Squid-in-Training said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless w/slime?
Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes, there doesn't seem
to be a reason not to try it, especially if you get flats on a constant
basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

YMMV, but for me, this would represent about triple the amount of time
and effort that I spend fixing flats over the life of a tire given the
continual need to add more latex. (Also, over time, would that
continual addition process not make the wheel awfully heavy?)

I'm sure there are people who would regard this as a wonderful thing.
I'm not one of them.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Phil said:

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

Looks easy enough to do, and worth a try.

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Phil said:

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

Looks easy enough to do, and worth a try.

--
"Bicycling is a healthy and manly pursuit with much
to recommend it, and, unlike other foolish crazes,
it has not died out." -- The Daily Telegraph (1877)

Werehatrack said:

Squid-in-Training said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless
w/slime? Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes,
there doesn't seem to be a reason not to try it, especially if you
get flats on a constant basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

YMMV, but for me, this would represent about triple the amount of time
and effort that I spend fixing flats over the life of a tire given the
continual need to add more latex. (Also, over time, would that
continual addition process not make the wheel awfully heavy?)

I'm sure there are people who would regard this as a wonderful thing.
I'm not one of them.

I'm not one of them, either, actually. I don't think the latex needs to be
added forever...

If one can use a sealed rim such as the Ksyrium SL (is the rim joint
airtight?), the need for latex would not be that critical. No tubes, no
pinch flats, but probably some air burping.

Michelin's developing something like this, I think.
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Werehatrack said:

Squid-in-Training said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless
w/slime? Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes,
there doesn't seem to be a reason not to try it, especially if you
get flats on a constant basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

YMMV, but for me, this would represent about triple the amount of time
and effort that I spend fixing flats over the life of a tire given the
continual need to add more latex. (Also, over time, would that
continual addition process not make the wheel awfully heavy?)

I'm sure there are people who would regard this as a wonderful thing.
I'm not one of them.

I'm not one of them, either, actually. I don't think the latex needs to be
added forever...

If one can use a sealed rim such as the Ksyrium SL (is the rim joint
airtight?), the need for latex would not be that critical. No tubes, no
pinch flats, but probably some air burping.

Michelin's developing something like this, I think.
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Squid-in-Training said:

Werehatrack said:

Squid-in-Training said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless

If one can use a sealed rim such as the Ksyrium SL (is the rim joint
airtight?), the need for latex would not be that critical. No tubes, no
pinch flats, but probably some air burping.

Michelin's developing something like this, I think.

I think the Michelin tyre has already been tested by pro teams, and
Mavic designed the Ksyrium to be tubeless compatible from the start -
that FORE drilling technique seems a bit pointless unless you
absolutely have to avoid penetrating the tyre bed.

Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included
May contain traces of nuts
Your milage may vary

Phil said:

Would anybody feel comfortable converting a road tire to tubeless w/slime?
Other than a higher air diffusion rate than with tubes, there doesn't seem
to be a reason not to try it, especially if you get flats on a constant
basis.

This link shows how to convert to tubeless on a MTB:
http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

I was thinking the same could be done for road.

Since the advantage of tubeless on a MTB is no pinch flats for less air,
and knowing that less air on a road bike is a BAD idea, why?

'Flats on a constant basis'? Need to find out why, and fix that problem.
Flats on tubeless is a MUCH bigger problem and much harder to fix on the
road(impossible w/o adding a tube).