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Tubeless Wheels...

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
Couple of basic questions:

How does something like a UST tire and rim differ from a tubeless system like Stans? I understand that they are designed from the get-go not to use tubes, but are they superior and/or lighter? Must you still use sealant in a UST system?

In a Stan's type conversion, are the weight savings significant? Of course their website says so, but with the sealant, rim tape, etc...is it worth it?

What is a good "trailriding" rim that is dedicated tubeless? Not an XC race wheel, not a DH rim, something light and strong?
 

Jozz

Joe Dalton
Apr 18, 2002
6,001
7,614
SADL
BurlyShirley said:
Couple of basic questions:

How does something like a UST tire and rim differ from a tubeless system like Stans? I understand that they are designed from the get-go not to use tubes, but are they superior and/or lighter? Must you still use sealant in a UST system?

In a Stan's type conversion, are the weight savings significant? Of course their website says so, but with the sealant, rim tape, etc...is it worth it?

What is a good "trailriding" rim that is dedicated tubeless? Not an XC race wheel, not a DH rim, something light and strong?
I tried using UST tires in combination with a UST rims without sealant, na d the tires would deflate every two days or so. So I recommend using Stan's evethough you have a full UST setup.

For rim I use Mavic 819 UST, just a bit burlier than the 317
 

berkshire_rider

Growler
Feb 5, 2003
2,552
10
The Blackstone Valley
They probably aren't overly superior, but they will save you the weight of the tubes in an area that is important - rolling resistance. I use some Stan's as well in my real UST setup for a little extra protection. One thing that is important if you go with actual UST - there's a lot less tire choices. Most of the true UST tires on the market are small like 2.1's - Stan's let's you run a bunch of other (bigger) tire choices.

My reason for initially "converting" was riding in areas with a lot of rocks and pinch-flating often. Running Stan's or UST takes care of pinching. You still have to carry a tube in case you rip / tear the sidewall. I have only torn 2 sidewalls in 3 years, and ride in a lot of rocky areas. The only other problem you might encouter is it's possible to "burp" air out of UST rims if your rim hits just-so.

A good true UST rim would be the Mavic 823. Make sure to get the 2006 version. Some of the older ones had problems flat-spotting.
 

BurlyShirley

Rex Grossman Will Rise Again
Jul 4, 2002
19,180
17
TN
Awesome thanks. I need a new wheelset...a light one. My bullit is a paunchy 40lbs right now and I need to lose some weight.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
You can get away without any sealant if your using a Ust tire on a Ust rim, but i would suggest at elast a little, flats are a bitch on the trail when running tubeless

I myself run SIngletracks with a Stans FR kit, no troubles with mine
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
If you have the option, just get UST rims from the start. More expensive but less finicky than Stans. I've used tubeless with and without sealant and both worked well, but I'd run a little sealant for insurance. Your tire choices are not limited by getting a UST rim because you can just run a standard tire with sealing in a UST rim.

As for which rim, you could probably go for either 819s or 823s, depending on how much abuse you think they might be getting. I beat a set of 819s and had no problems with them at all (on a 5-6" travel bike, all kinds of east coast trails) and now have a second set of 819s on my Prophet.
 

Transcend

My Nuts Are Flat
Apr 18, 2002
18,040
3
Towing the party line.
berkshire_rider said:
One thing that is important if you go with actual UST - there's a lot less tire choices. Most of the true UST tires on the market are small like 2.1's - Stan's let's you run a bunch of other (bigger) tire choices.
Michelin does all of their Dh tires in UST.

Technically a full UST setup doesn't need sealant, practically - they do.

I run mavin rims (721) with a maxxis rim strip, stans sealant and a miche UST tire. Haven't had a single problem. It STILL has air in it from the last time I rode in September.
 

kidwoo

Artisanal Tweet Curator
Best setup is UST tires, UST rims, PLUS stans goop.

I've tried the stans strips, home made strips and the maxxis.

Maxxis strips work the best if you can't go full UST.


Porn latex works pretty well for thorny areas because it creates a kind of inner rim strip on the center inside your tire.

Plus it smells like chocolate when you rip a tire and the sh1t hits you in the face.
 

chicodude

The Spooninator
Mar 28, 2004
1,054
2
Paradise
kidwoo said:
Best setup is UST tires, UST rims, PLUS stans goop.

I've tried the stans strips, home made strips and the maxxis.

Maxxis strips work the best if you can't go full UST.


Porn latex works pretty well for thorny areas because it creates a kind of inner rim strip on the center inside your tire.

Plus it smells like chocolate when you rip a tire and the sh1t hits you in the face.

And the frame, and the legs, and half of the butcher trail...
 

Echo

crooked smile
Jul 10, 2002
11,819
15
Slacking at work
I'm seriously about ready to tell Stan's and UST both to kiss my ass. Out of about 6 times I've punctured a UST tire, only once has Stan's sealant managed to seal the hole. Every other time I just watch my expensive white goo spew out all over the ground.
 

Jozz

Joe Dalton
Apr 18, 2002
6,001
7,614
SADL
Echo said:
I'm seriously about ready to tell Stan's and UST both to kiss my ass. Out of about 6 times I've punctured a UST tire, only once has Stan's sealant managed to seal the hole. Every other time I just watch my expensive white goo spew out all over the ground.
What tire are you running?

Its been two years of intense riding on Fire XC UST tires... not a flat, not a puncture... running 28lbs front, 30 rear.
 

JRogers

talks too much
Mar 19, 2002
3,785
1
Claremont, CA
Jozz said:
What tire are you running?

Its been two years of intense riding on Fire XC UST tires... not a flat, not a puncture... running 28lbs front, 30 rear.
I've had a good track record as well. I ran Conti Vertical Pro 2.3s and got 2 flats in about 2 full seasons. All I had to do was stick a tire patch on both times. Even after almost 2 years, the tires would still inflate with no tricks or sealant and only a floor pump.
 

Echo

crooked smile
Jul 10, 2002
11,819
15
Slacking at work
Jozz said:
What tire are you running?

Its been two years of intense riding on Fire XC UST tires... not a flat, not a puncture... running 28lbs front, 30 rear.
I used to run Maxxis Highroller UST's and Hutchinson Scorpion UST's, they never gave me any of the current problems. The tires that appear to SUCK are all Michelin UST's and Panaracer UST's. Guess I'll go back to the Maxxis.
 

-BB-

I broke all the rules, but somehow still became mo
Sep 6, 2001
4,254
28
Livin it up in the O.C.
Transcend said:
Michelin does all of their Dh tires in UST.

Technically a full UST setup doesn't need sealant, practically - they do.
Yes, but thtey don't need all that much.
Just a little to get it 100% sealed.