Discussion: Tubeless Tyres

Thought id continue luke's questioning about bikes. Im getting some new tubeless tyres for a bike a recently acquired, having never had tubeless wondering if anyone can recommend some? (XC - fairly hard pack)
Thinking Maxxis Crossmarks as thats what i run on my other bike (non UST) but dunno if they lose something or are shit tubeless?

they are perfect. don't even consider anything else- well for AR anyway

and what happened to your 3 week training program? You better turn up this weekend fat boy

I have a UST Crossmark on the back and Larsen on the front. rides well, I used to have issues with traction with a Crossmark on the front but you guys don't get the pea gravel over there.

Only problem I have had with them was with the tyres delaminating and an "egg" appearing in the tyre. This has happened with both a Maxxis and a Hutchinson tyre.

can't go wrong with Maxxis LUST tyres lazydave, Larsen or Crossmarks. and use Stans sealant, works good with less mess.

MAXXIS CREEPCRAWLER

I use UST Crossmarks - a great all round tyre.

Sealant is not necessary for the UST system if you have UST rims, but a little is still a good idea for self sealing puncture protection.

yeah without sealant you may as well have tubes...

Crossmarks are good for 1 thing and 1 thing only and that is going very fast in a straight line, on hard pack in the dry. Anything else and there are many far superior tires. If its technical crosscountry you loose a lot of time in the corners if you have to play it safe babying the tires. Some of the more aggressive Maxxis like the advantage and the ignitor roll just as well but hook up much better. People crap on endlessly about Schwalbe tires are so they should, they are expensive but they do grip and roll fantastically.

UST tires are the easiest way to go tubeless, but they are just so dam heavy, your giving way any weight gain. I still believe that non-ust tires with sealant (either stans or DIY) is a much better option.

I just this week changed from an Ignitor on the front wheel back to a Crossmark. I have a Crossmark on the back wheel too. I didn't like the Ignitor much, as I felt the knobs were squirmy on hard surfaces, they didn't roll as well, and to me the Crossmark seems to hook up just as well in the loose corners.

Just my experience, others may differ...

i like cold coke on hot days, peanuts and beer on a sunday arvo, espresso and cinnamon toast after a long ride, i prefer the simpsons over family guy, nike over asics, and right now i have maxxis larsens on my mtb ;)

Been running Hutchison Pythons
see http://www.stodgell.co.uk/?p=626.
These need milk to seal but are light and great.

Anyoe not convinced by UST read about my puncture in Israel here...
http://www.stodgell.co.uk/?p=733

I have had a match-stick sized sharp stick puncture a UST Hutchinson Python through the tread area in an XC MTB race, and it sealed up (with a DIY latex sealant) while I was still riding. The tyre was a bit soft and spongy, but still ok to race on until the finish.

Dont forget to take in to account ease of mounting tyres on the rims. Of the UST tyres, pythons are easiest to mount and bead with a floor pump. Racing Ralphs seem to require a trip to the servo sometimes. Havent tried Crossmarks 'cause Robbie's always seem to have eggs in the sidewall.

Certain tyres can be an absolute f'cker to even get on the rim. Katrin used some local tyre for her 24 Hour in Canada that had awesome grip for the conditions, but was so hard to get on didn't even bother to carry a spare tube.

what exactly does taking "a trip to the servo" entail?

I am guessing (and Mounty may swing in different ways) that he means going down to use the local service stations air compressor to get the tyre to "seat" when you first put it on.

When I fail I take it back to the bike shop to use their air compressor. They appreciate the laugh.

If you think they laugh at the bike shop, you should see the reaction you get if you over-inflate at the petrol station and the tyre blows off the rim - with the spray of sealant leaving your car looking like it was used as the set for a porn movie.

hahaha filthy!

gotta add mounty the maxxis are a piece of piss to get inflated, and easy to get on/off (without levers).