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UST Rim + UST Tire + FR or lighter Tube?

Tomasz

Monkey
Jul 18, 2012
339
0
Whistla
I'm looking over the weights on one of my bikes... it has a pair of Mavic 823 rims from when I purchased it used. Am curious if anyone every runs tubes inside of their UST tires. I realize that of course it weights more, but I just don't trust tubeless - even UST - as I like to be able to fix even the worst case scenarios right on the trail (I carry a small hand pump and patch kit at all times).

I believe that I've read somewhere, sometime, that some WC racers run UST tires + XC tubes. Obviously I need more durability than an WC racer (I ride much less hard, but need more than a few runs out of my setup). It seems that a UST tire with FR tube would shave over a pound of weight, and possibly not harm my reliability much (1.2mm tube vs 1.5mm tube) - and I can also put some Stan's inside of the tube for added durability.
 

project_d

Chimp
Dec 15, 2009
93
0
SoCal
I've been running an 823 up front and an 819 in back on my Nomad for a few years. I set them up tubeless, but I always bring tubes. I don't recall ever needing tubes for the front; I'm harder on my rear rims, so that's where I usually need a tube when I smack the rim where it meets the tire.

But...going tubeless doesn't necessarily mean you drop weight. What tire are you running, and what tire are you going to run?
 

Tomasz

Monkey
Jul 18, 2012
339
0
Whistla
My current setup
Minion DHF 2.5 Wire 3C: 1,265g
Maxxis DH Tube: 450g
Total: 1,715g

UST + Tube setup
Minion DHF 2.5 Kvlr: 1,170
Maxxis FR Tube: 295g
Total: 1,465

Savings: 250g / .55lb per wheel / 1.1lb total
 
Last edited:

gnarbar

Monkey
Oct 22, 2011
136
3
I'm looking over the weights on one of my bikes... it has a pair of Mavic 823 rims from when I purchased it used. Am curious if anyone every runs tubes inside of their UST tires. I realize that of course it weights more, but I just don't trust tubeless - even UST - as I like to be able to fix even the worst case scenarios right on the trail (I carry a small hand pump and patch kit at all times).

I believe that I've read somewhere, sometime, that some WC racers run UST tires + XC tubes. Obviously I need more durability than an WC racer (I ride much less hard, but need more than a few runs out of my setup). It seems that a UST tire with FR tube would shave over a pound of weight, and possibly not harm my reliability much (1.2mm tube vs 1.5mm tube) - and I can also put some Stan's inside of the tube for added durability.
I've been running UST for three seasons on 2 bikes. With UST rims (823's, now the new Havoc UST DH wheeleset). No hassles. No tubes. Run with goo. No burps no flats no problem. Ogre rider. Tested on loads of long fast rocky rooty haggard trails.

I carry a tube on a big AM/DH ride. I just chuck a small multi-use cloth in my pack in case I have to clean up some goo. Never had cause to use it.

Trust UST, especially with 823's. You drop well over another lb losing the tubes.
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
There doesn't seem to be much point to me in running tubes if you are willing to buy UST tires. Buy some Stans and UST tires and try it out tubeless. If it doesn't work out, put tubes in. I have not run tubeless on DH bikes, but have had good luck with it on AM and XC bikes.
 

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
I have run 823s tubeless with Minions for the past couple years with no issues besides having to be more diligent about checking tire pressure...as it seems to bleed off quicker than with a tube. I will never go back to tubes.
 

fred.r

Dwangus Bogans
May 9, 2006
842
0
I will never go back to tubes.
Same. Been on 823's w/ Maxxis NON-tubeless tires w/ Stans for I'd say 5 years now, and ghetto tubeless prior to that. 240lbs and I have zero issues with burping/rolling the tire off. I have flatted a couple times a year obviously, but all have been sidewall tears or tread tears, which would have popped a tube just as well.
Carry a tube with you if you're on a long ride. Get a flat? Put the tube in a go, easy-peezy. If it's a tire tear that causes the flat I've used anything from some duct tape to a CLIF Bar wrapper to seal the deal. The benefits of tubeless far out-weight the cons IMO.
 

kazlx

Patches O'Houlihan
Aug 7, 2006
6,985
1,957
Tustin, CA
I don't even have an issue with tears. I'm 225lbs and I can't remember the last time I've had a flat. Well, I had one on my hard tail through a rock garden and that's about it. My other bikes...it's been a while.
 

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
The whole point of tubeless is the reliability. When done right, they work very well. I've been running ghetto tubeless for 3-4 years and never had an issue. I've damaged the rim so bad that I changed to a tube out of fear, but it never burbed and I finished the day.
The issue is burbing under really hard cornering a g-outs. The super fast guys have to run insane pressures to keep from burping.
Tubeless it more expensive, and takes a lot longer to change a tire. The weight savings are argueable. The only signifigant benefit is the flat protection.
 

big-ted

Danced with A, attacked by C, fired by D.
Sep 27, 2005
1,400
47
Vancouver, BC
Meh. Still not sure how you guys that claim "reliability" from UST tubeless setups do it. My experience was anything but. I tried UST tyres from Maxxis, Michelin and Hutchinson, and non-UST tyres from Maxxis also. Was running Stan's goop and 823 rims in all cases. My problems ranged from burping (mainly for the non-UST tyres), tyres literally exploding off the rim upon landing (ditto), and tears in the carcass itself, both along the top of the carcass and along the bead, regardless of tyre. I tried pressures ranging from 25psi up to 40 psi. Combined with the hassle of changing tyres, tubeless added up to making riding and racing a far more stressful experience all in all. I don't miss it one bit.