FEATURES: ASK RC: TUBELESS TIRES

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FEATURES: ASK RC: TUBELESS TIRES
Richard Cunningham
June 2, 2010

(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)

I have Mavic Ksyrium SL rims on my bike and as you know the spokes are threaded into the wheel with no openings or protrusions going into the inside of the rim. Could I mount tubeless tires on those rims? Is Hutchinson the only show in town when it comes to tubeless tires? Assuming that I can, is an average biker (me) going to feel the difference?
– Bob

Technically, no, only road tubeless rims are OK for such tires – BUT – Stan’s NoTubes says that the magic is in the carbon fiber-bead tire and not the rims, and that Road Tubeless tires will mount to almost any rim. Contact Stan at www.notubes.com and check for compatibility as you may be on to something.

Hutchinson is not the only game in town as many tire manufacturers are stepping into the tubeless game. While many are using their own tread design several use Hutchinson’s tubeless casing. Yes – you will feel the difference.

So why haven't any pro teams experimented with tubeless clinchers at the cobbled classics, especially at Paris-Roubaix? I would have thought the advantages of running, say, 80 psi without the risk of puncture would be awesome on cobbles (worth the weight penalty).
– Richard

They have. Hutchinson road tubeless tires are becoming popular on the cobbles. In fact Hutchinson makes a large volume 25-millimeter version just for Paris Roubaix.

Contact Richard Cunningham for questions or comments, or just to talk bikes at: askRC@roadbikeaction.com

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