So I know some of you guys are running tubeless out there and have had decent luck with certain tire combos. I was thinking of going with a Stans 355 rim and using an Industry Nine Hub, I recently saw a sweet setup on MTBR and the hubs have great reviews.

Anybody run this rim tubeless? What has your luck been? I'm a little bigger at 175 and kinda clumsy so have you had any roll off issues? What tire combos work well?

I know about half of you are already thinking go look on ebay for a ultegra/reflex wheel set for like $200 bucks and spend the rest of the money on beer or tacos or somethin but I already have a set like that and they haven't floated my boat.

Thanks

So I know some of you guys are running tubeless out there and have had decent luck with certain tire combos. I was thinking of going with a Stans 355 rim and using an Industry Nine Hub, I recently saw a sweet setup on MTBR and the hubs have great reviews.

Anybody run this rim tubeless? What has your luck been? I'm a little bigger at 175 and kinda clumsy so have you had any roll off issues? What tire combos work well?

I know about half of you are already thinking go look on ebay for a ultegra/reflex wheel set for like $200 bucks and spend the rest of the money on beer or tacos or somethin but I already have a set like that and they haven't floated my boat.

Thanks

I know that Bill Larsen at Cyclepath in Portland OR has extensive experience using the ZTR 355. He claims it's the only rim he's been able to use tubeless with a high level of success. As I recall, he had 3-4 guys ride the Crusade series using the above rim with a Michelin Mud II tire without a failure.

He's an agreeable guy and I wouldn't hesitate to call him and ask about his experiences.

I know that Bill Larsen at Cyclepath in Portland OR has extensive experience using the ZTR 355. He claims it's the only rim he's been able to use tubeless with a high level of success. As I recall, he had 3-4 guys ride the Crusade series using the above rim with a Michelin Mud II tire without a failure.

Erik Voldengen finally built up wheels with the 355 and he said he had no problems with that wheelset. He's about 195 pounds. You might find some more info in his blog archives: http://www.erikv.com/blog/

Here, I've saved you some searching: http://www.erikv.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=search

Erik got his info from Bill Larsen.

Thanks,

When I contacted I9 they mentioned some guy in Portland running this setup, look like I know who it is

I'll call Bill, but after reading Eric V's blog it looks like I'm going to give them a try

After great success with Stan's tubelessfor MTB racing, I gave it a shot for 'cross. NoTubes.com built up the ZTR 355 rims on American Classic hubs laced with Wheelsmith spokes, which ensured a pretty light setup. I spoke a few of their tech guys about the intention to use them tubeless. They said a few guys have had good luck, while others have not. I set them up with some 34mm Vittoria Evo CX tires, which required a compressor to seat and inflate properly. I went for a few rides on dirt roads to be sure they were seated and sealed correctly.

During the first race on the setup at about 40psi, I went around an off camber 180 turn and heard a pop. Immediately, I noticed that the rear tire felt really loose. I did not care, and rode as normal and made it through the race without problems. After cleanup and inspection, I could see where the bead broke and the air "popped" out.

Another occasion, on the same setup at about the same pressure, I was riding in the woods and had a stick stab through the side wall of the tire. Immediately, the tire started losing air and the sealant pissed out the side and did not fill the 1/8" hole before the hole sealed. I ended up walking a few miles out of the woods that day in the dark.

Last week, I was on a training ride with the same setup at 45 psi on the dirt roads near my house. Due to the freeze thaw cycle here in Vermont, some of the roads are heavily rutted. Riding along, enjoying the nice views, I got stuck in one of these ruts. When I tried to steer out of the rut, the front tire folded right off the rim and opened up and immediately deflated. Ended up walking about 5 miles home on that one.

For me, the tubeless setup did not work very well. I think that the low volume low pressure combo does not work well -- atleast for the setup described above. Since then, I have cleaned the innards out now ride tubes on that wheelset.

I weight about 180lbs and am not hard on my equipment.

I set them up with some 34mm Vittoria Evo CX tires, which required a compressor to seat and inflate properly.

Dude, read the link in my last post -- lots of good information.

Can't you still put a tube in there if it goes wrong? Thats one of the things that is drawing me to this system, yeah it'd be a mess but I wouldn't have to walk home in the dark

Looks like the tire choice is clutch for making the setup work, and the Muds are all I've heard that work well, although one guy around here runs the WTB Cross Wolfs on his, but he's a twig.

I talked to Bill at Cyclepath to get the skinny on the tubeless setup for 'cross.

Bill recommends using the Mud2 or Hutchinson Cross Series tires with ZTR rims for the best results. Based on the discussion, I am willing to test the setup again and picked up a pair of the Mud2s.

As it turns out, the Vittoria EVO CX tires are no good tubeless based on Bill's experiences with them; he recommended running tubes with them.

I ran vittoria evo cx tubeless on ksyriums all last year and experienced only 1 minor burp. I'm looking forward to using them again this year.

Thanks,

When I contacted I9 they mentioned some guy in Portland running this setup, look like I know who it is

I'll call Bill, but after reading Eric V's blog it looks like I'm going to give them a try

Glad you guys found my info. I put up a "final verdict (http://www.erikv.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/4/19/Tubeless-cyclocross-with-Stans-Notubes--My-Verdict)" post and linked the previous entries discussing my trials and errors of the tubeless setup. I raced in a USGP event in Portland with no problems at all. And that was a course that could cause problems ;)

Good luck,
Erik

I raced in a USGP event in Portland with no problems at all. And that was a course that could cause problems ;)

FYI, kajukembo and I were the two super cool dudes talking to you about your Stans set up when the whistle blew at that race (or was it when the gun popped?).

FYI, kajukembo and I were the two super cool dudes talking to you about your Stans set up when the whistle blew at that race (or was it when the gun popped?).

Ah yes, that was funny. Nothing like being completely turned around and chatting about tires when the gun goes off!

-Erik

I ran Stan's 355 29er rims last season with a panaracer crossblaster on the front and a Ritchey Excavader on the rear. 30-35 psi front, 35-40 psi rear depending onthe conditons. Am classic hubs laced 3X with revos. Using Stan's yellow tape only with the small valve stem. The tires require a compressor to seat the bead. No problems what so ever. Saved a ton of weight and the ride is sublime-it seems to have less rolling resistence without the tube and the tire "floats". I like it all a lot. I dented the rear rim badly when I miss timed a curb jump, No air loss. I got home, took off the tire and pounded the rim out. Mounted the tire again and back on the trail.

I've found that a new tire mounts more easily when 'stretched' overnight on a rim with a tube mounted in and inflated to as much as the tire recommends. Go to notubes.com and look at the tire recommendations and warnings. Stan doesn't recommend some brands due to bead failure.

Can't you still put a tube in there if it goes wrong? Thats one of the things that is drawing me to this system, yeah it'd be a mess but I wouldn't have to walk home in the dark

Looks like the tire choice is clutch for making the setup work, and the Muds are all I've heard that work well, although one guy around here runs the WTB Cross Wolfs on his, but he's a twig.


Nope, you can't put a tube in there. The tire is glued/tapped onto the rim.

Nope, you can't put a tube in there. The tire is glued/tapped onto the rim.

You're talking about Stan's, not Tubulars right? If you were refering to Stans, sure you can put a tube in there - just remove the valve, insert the tube and go.

I've had very good luck with Stan's on my mountain bikes, I'll be using Stan's rims with Michelin Jets for a 200 mile gravel road race,in a few weeks.

...I'll get back with you after 200 miles.