Can someone please explain the advantage of tubeless tires other than maybe weight. If I plan on riding through rocky, root filled terrain should/can I install a tube in a tubeless tire? I can imagine it being easier to patch a tube on a trail than to install a plug and try to reseat a broken bead with a hand pump. I also notice there is no rim lock on the rear tubeless tire.

No tube to pinch flat when you are tubeless. If you are going to run a tube I would think you would need to install a rim lock and keep the tire from getting pinched (maybe more air pressure) hopefully one of the pros will confirm or correct me.

:prof: because of the extreme torque and low tire pressures a tube tire would spin once you seat a tubeless and adjust it to 4lbs it will not spin and shear the valve stem

blackelmo said:

So what do you guys carry in case of a tubeless flat? Just something like a Slime plug kit? I was at an event once where this guy was trying, unsuccessfully, to seat the bead on a new tubeless tire while trying to inflate it with a hand pump. It didn't work until someone brought out a high pressure tank to give it that quick blast of air. If you get a flat on a trail and the bead separates how do you seat it?

blackelmo said:

Unless you continue to ride aggressively with a flat tubeless, they almost always remain seated. The rim has a special shape to keep the tire in place. Carry a fresh plug kit and a CO2 tire pump. For longer distances away from camp, carry a FRONT tire inner tube. It can be used in an emergency for the rear tire too, but you will need to remove the tubeless valve stem first. I have not seen a tubeless front wheel on a Trials Bike in many years. When they first came out, there were a few.

I've heard of guys stuffing the tire full of pine cones and vegetative debris to give the tire some body but that's only possible if the bead is broken.

And some people claim you can use the Trucker's technique of using something like a small amount of lighter fluid or gas in the tire and then throw matches at it, but try explaining that to the US Forest Service when they come to put out the forest fire. :eek:

New tires ARE difficult to seat, but after they have been on for some time, they take on the shape of the rim and are softer. If you carry a tow strap in your group (or belts or rope etc.), you can use that to squeeze the tire tread and bring the bead closer or in contact with the rim.

HOWEVER, to affectively use a tubeless Trials Tire, you need a tubeless rim.

Thanks 2ply. I've ordered a plug kit, a CO2 inflator and a spare front tube.I should be all set to (hopefully) never get a flat!

Blackelmo, do you ride with other Trials People? I know there are some very active Trials People near Vancouver and another very active top notch group near Victoria on Vancouver Island.

Just in case you are new and don't know anyone up there, here's a good place to start:

http://www.trialscanada.com/

Chances are, you already know this if you just bought a new Monty. Quite hard to buy one without meeting some of these people. :smirk:

And you can always come on down to Washington State. Many people from Our club go to B.C. events and many B.C. riders come down here. :thumbsup:

2PLY said:

Thanks for the info 2PLY.I rode 3 or 4 events with the CPTA club in Vancouver when I moved out here in 2000. Then, due to family,work and time constraints I started riding in the mountains around my home a little north east of Bellingham. I found I was riding less and less. It was too much trouble to load the truck and drive. So I sold my trials bikes and bought a dualsport. It's great but I always missed plonking on a trials bike. I try not to ride alone anymore so I'll have to find a local riding buddy. I would like to ride with the Puget Sound Trials club sometime but first I need to get some serious practice time in. I am very rusty!

blackelmo said:

Here is a great visual explanation of why a tubeless Trials Tire is so good..... Imagine what would happen if there was a tube in this tire:




And look at how much tread is in contact with the wall!!! :eek:

blackelmo said:

Where did you order your plug kit from,blackelmo? I need one too.seems like the one for auto tires the plugs would be a bit on the beefy side for our application?Thanks

pitbulldoug said:

I ordered from Rocky Mountain. I haven't received it yet so I hope it's the right kit.

http://www.rockymoun...dFamilyId=13429

Thanks for the link,looks like that will do the trick.More of a motorcycle application,just what I was looking for! :thumbsup:

I'm running tubless tires on my bike, and their grate, i can run low psi and not worry about getting a pinch flat... I can't really see a downfall to them...