Maxxis tubeless conversions?
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jpearce
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« on: May 19, 2008, 08:40:07 AM »
Has anyone used these kits? I won one at the RiV last year and installed the conversion on the front wheel of one of my bikes yesterday, but haven't ridden it yet.  Looks like it's holding air pretty well, but the tread pattern on the tire (pretty flat on the bottom with knobs on the sides) doesn't give me confidence that this thing will climb well.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Should I put Stan's or some other sealant in them?  Or should I use a different tire?
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crabapple hits
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« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2008, 09:23:53 AM »
Jon - I just converted my new Azonic rims to tubeless using Stans and IRC Mibro tires. They seem to have a nice firm grip and holding very well. Although I have only ridden them 2-3 times, I am confident they will hold. My Maxxis DH tires specifically state they wear quickly...

If you get Stan's, take note of the width of your rim and compare to their guide on rim strip widths. I can help if you need... GO TUBELESS!
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bonkers
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« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2008, 10:30:51 AM »
Quote from: Jon on May 19, 2008, 08:40:07 AM
Has anyone used these kits? I won one at the RiV last year and installed the conversion on the front wheel of one of my bikes yesterday, but haven't ridden it yet.  Looks like it's holding air pretty well, but the tread pattern on the tire (pretty flat on the bottom with knobs on the sides) doesn't give me confidence that this thing will climb well.  Does anyone have experience with these?  Should I put Stan's or some other sealant in them?  Or should I use a different tire?


Jon, let me know how all this works out.. I'm planning to go tubeless by next year.
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jpearce
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« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2008, 04:35:59 PM »
Well, I have Kenda tubeless tires on my Santa Cruz and like them since I can run them at lower pressure.  But I had that weird problem with Stans that caused the walls to delaminate and huge blisters formed on the tires.  I odn't expect that with the Maxxis tires - it seems to be specific to Kenda.  I was more concerned about the tread on the Maxxis tired - it doesn't seem to be very knobby and I don't know how well it will grip.  If I have time this week (and if it doesn't rain) I'll convert the back wheel and test-ride it and report back.

Jon
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RepoMan
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« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2008, 05:49:21 PM »
Quote from: Jon on May 19, 2008, 04:35:59 PM
But I had that weird problem with Stans that caused the walls to delaminate and huge blisters formed on the tires.

I actually had that same problem with some Maxxis Ignitors and until just this moment I didn't know this sometimes happens with Stan's. For months the blisters were small, but I was hearing weird sounds coming from the rear tire. Sort of like a *crick* *crick* *crick* as the tire went around and it was driving me nuts. Then finally it really let loose and the blister bulged out noticeably. This is what the inside of the tire on the other side of that big blister looked like. Granted, this tire was well-used and the knobs were starting to get ripped off so I wasn't cheesed like I would be if it happened after a month. It was probably just a fluke as the other tire I bought at the same time never developed the blisters despite using Stan's in it also.

As for the RitV Maxxis tires, I have a set that I haven't tried out. I will say that a while back I used to run Continentals that had very low profile knobs with a flat grey section of rubber in the middle (can't remember the name) and those Maxxis tires look sort of similar. The Continentals didn't look it, but they'd hook up great on the Wissahickon climbs and they were very fast thanks to the lack of knobs.
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2008, 08:41:07 PM »
I've got Maxxis high rollers ust, with maxxis rim strips. They hold up great. I use Stans, don't forget to replenish it once in a while. If it wears out you could get a blowout.

I really like running tubeless cause it feels better at the tires and you don't get flats very often. I get about one flat per year at the most with tubeless. The problem is that when they do go you have to take off the rimstrip to get a tube in and it's a little messy.

I've have bad luck with Kenda cause the sidewalls are weak, unless you use the DH versions.
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fishnchips
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« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2008, 09:52:53 PM »
I thought you just had to take out the valve core? you have to take out the strip too?
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Kelly
jpearce
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« Reply #7 on: May 19, 2008, 10:10:56 PM »
Repo - that's exactly what happened to me!  Huge blisters on the sides of the tire - so big that they caught on the frame and the tire wouldn't even turn.  I dumped out the Stan's and put in a tube and the blisters still kept coming.  The Kenda guy up at PedrosFest said that you can't run Stan's in their tires.  That only happened to the back tire - the front was fine.

Sounds like I'll like the Maxxis tires.  I'll be trying them out this weekend.  Thanks.

Jon
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2008, 07:40:13 AM »
Quote from: fishnchips on May 19, 2008, 09:52:53 PM
I thought you just had to take out the valve core? you have to take out the strip too?

Good question Jesse. If you are not running a rim strip with the valve core attached then you don't have to take it off. The Maxxis rim strip has the valve core attached as do the Stans rim strips.

The sweetest setup is if you are running Mavic UST rims, they don't have any holes for the spokes so the inside of the rim is smooth and no rimstrip is needed. All you will need to do it remove the valve core if you get a flat. I have one set of these types, Crossmax, and I have not flatted them in like 3 years with Maxxis UST tires and stans. They are pretty much the best I've tried so far.
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Dmitri
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« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2008, 08:26:15 AM »
Jess, there are two setups.

1) With rim strip. Yes, Stan's rim strips have removable valve core, so you can unscrew it and replenish sealant without breaking the bead seal. But if you have a flat that doesn't seal (usually if you let the fluid dry out or had a gash bigger than 1/8") then you have to remove the strip, as it sits in place of the tube. So with that setup you have to also run a rim tape, because if you don't and you want to slap a tube in there in the middl eof a ride, you're out of luck. Don't ask how I know.

2) With Stan's yellow tape and valve. This can be done on Stan's rims or some "tubeless ready" rims. Basically the rims need a wider "shoulder" inside the rim for the bead. Yellow tape is a plasticy version of rim tape, air tight and strong enough not to puncture thru the spoke holes. In this case, putting a tube in in the middle of a ride is as simple as taking out the valve, to open the hole. The yellow tape will act as the rim tape for the tube. (That's what you saw me do when I did that awkward landing on one of the winter rides and poped the seal on the front tire, and was too low on the sealant for it to re-seal)

So follow Tom's advice, if you go with Stan's conversion, do check the level and replenish periodically, usually every 2 or so months.

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2008, 10:08:36 AM »
Thanks for the info. The only other time I've done this with a rider he must have had the Maxxis rims because we just popped out the core and put in a tube.

I've been thinking about going tubeless for a long time, but I hardly have any flats as it is. I attribute this to running at least 35lbs of pressure, which I'm able to get away with because of my weight. I wouldn't mind running at about 30 though and having the advantage of a bit less weight. But with the pain in the butt tubeless all seems to be, and the fact that I have very few flats as it is, I'm not sure it's worth it.

All that being said, I do want purchase a new wheelset, and the Custom ZTR sets seem like great options. They aren't super cheap, but basically $500 gets me a custom built wheels to my weight and with the added benefit of going tubeless easily.

As informative as the notubes site is it is still all very confusing. For example, their custom wheelsets come with the option of three different rim shapes, but there is no explanation as to the what the differences between them are. Nor do I quite understand the difference between their standard wheel sets and race wheelsets, though I would assume the race are premium and lighter weight...
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Kelly
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« Reply #11 on: May 20, 2008, 10:15:42 AM »
Quote from: Lust4singletrack on May 20, 2008, 07:40:13 AM
The sweetest setup is if you are running Mavic UST rims [...] I have not flatted them in like 3 years with Maxxis UST tires and stans. They are pretty much the best I've tried so far.

I agree! The only flats I've gotten in the years on Mavic UST setups are ones where I actually rip holes in the sidewall. Previous to UST, I was getting multiple pinch flats every year (even with correct pressure). Because snakebites were the majority of my flats, tubeless has been a godsend. I run Stan's to help keep pressurized. For whatever reason (banged-up rims, imperfect seal, etc.), without it my tires will lose a lot if not most of the pressure as they sit. With Stan's, I just need to top them up with a little pressure every week.

That said, and as fishnchips just mentioned, if flats aren't really a problem then tubeless probably isn't worth the expense.
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Dmitri
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« Reply #12 on: May 20, 2008, 10:24:00 AM »
Jess, do not go ZTR route. They are not really good for anyone over 160-170 riding any sort of less than smooth trails at any serious speed, impact.

At least Arches, better Flows. At slight weight penalty you would gain ALOT of strength.

ZTR - sub 400g
Arch - 460-470g
Flow - 500-510g

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #13 on: May 20, 2008, 10:28:40 AM »
I thought ZTR was the brand name? Arch and Flow  aren't ZTR? So that is the difference between the 3? just a bit beefier? What I liked looking at their build options is they specifically ask the rider weight...
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Kelly
Dmitri
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« Reply #14 on: May 20, 2008, 10:33:45 AM »
Ok, you're right. I'm used to referring to ZTR355's as simply ZTR as they were the original and before Arches and Flows were introduced.

Look at this http://www.notubes.com/ztr_rims.php page, you'll see difference in construction in the cross sections.

So my point still holds, just substitute 355 for ZTR.  Wink

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #15 on: May 20, 2008, 10:37:41 AM »
so you're advice would be to go with the flow!  Grin
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Kelly
Dmitri
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« Reply #16 on: May 20, 2008, 10:40:21 AM »
Correct. Feel the flow. Positive energy. Oh wait, I'm Dmitri, not Tom...  Wink

but seriously, i went from 355s to Flows and couldn't be happier. Didn't notice too much of weight penalty, but def enjoy the added strength, being able to just ride over stuff without worrying about what will it do to my wheels...

dz
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mtrostle
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« Reply #17 on: May 20, 2008, 11:04:49 AM »
As Bruce Lee would say, "Flow like water" Wink

Quote from: Lust4singletrack on May 20, 2008, 07:40:13 AM

The sweetest setup is if you are running Mavic UST rims


I'm still running orginal Mavic CrossMax UST rims and they're BOMB PROOF. Hell, I even accidentally started to backed up over my bike and the rims held together. Popped 2 of the bladed spokes out of the hub, but we just snapped them back in place, adjusted tension and trued the rims. Slight raddle from time to time but not a single flat spot or flat tire!!

Just started to use stans this past winter and I highly reccomend it to anyone. Even helped me ressurect a set of brand new Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires that had punctured from thorns on the trail.................Now if I can only find the bastard that keeps breaking glass on the trail Angry
« Last Edit: May 20, 2008, 11:07:14 AM by mtrostle » Logged
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