Topic: New tires.... tubeless?

[dakeddie]

Hi, I'm in need of new tires and I've researched the old posts and decided that more people are liking the Bridgestone BattleAx BT45's than any other tire.  So the next step was to find a good deal, right?  I've been looking on onlineparts.com and denniskirk.com.  I found the front 110/90/19 tube tire, but the 130/90/17 seems to only be available in tubeless.

My questions are:  can I put a tubeless tire on my stock rims?  can I just install a tubeless tire with a tube?  will installing a tubeless tire myself be more difficult than a tube tire?

[dakeddie]

oops.... I meant 100/90/19, not 110/90/19.

one more question... would I notice much difference in a radial vs. bias ply?  I know I would in a car, but bike?

[endobendo]

Can't figure why you need new tires  You can put a tubeless tire on a tube rim fine but you don't want to go the other way.  Most new tires are tubeless compatible, I haven't seen a lot of tube only tires.  I'm not sure about the riding difference with bias.  I dig the BT-45s.  Just let the tire sit in the sun for a while and they'll slip right on.  Someone told me you wont pinch the tube if you don't pry the tire levers over 45 degrees, or straight up from the rim.

[Bob Wessner]

will installing a tubeless tire myself be more difficult than a tube tire?

It can be done, I've done it, but not to discourage you, it wasn't fun. The tubless tires (with tube and be sure to replace the rim band also) are heavier/tighter. If you have big hands like I do, the working room is limited.

[dakeddie]

Geez, I do one little burn out.. haha.

Great, thanks for the advice.  I had read that most tires are tubeless compatable, but on denniskirk.com it says tubeless only.  I figured you guys would know best.

Here's the link to the specific tire in question: http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=404&productId=p540351&leafCatId=40402&mmyId=

[Bob Wessner]

I had read that most tires are tubeless compatable, but on denniskirk.com it says tubeless only.

I think it is saying that particular tire is only available in tubeless, but it can be mounted on a spoked rim with a tube and rim band just as a tube tire. Let us know how it goes.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I just had my front tire installed and balanced for $18 at a Honda shop. I removed the wheel and tire. I took them the rim,  new tire, tube, and band. I got it back installed and balanced and the tube held air. Basically I let them have the liability for the tube and I got it back balanced. I've bought 2 tubes before and done it twice without having it balanced. Money well spent. The more you do the less they charge. Feels like I got one over on them by having them actually work on a 30 + year old bike that they don't do.

[ProTeal55]

My new 130mm Avon rear is tubeless...

[endobendo]

I got my BT45's from MAW online, which were a little cheaper.  There were some old posts here about a slightly cheaper source still.  At least you could get DK to match it.

[Kevin D]

I changed a lot of MC tires in the pre-tubeless days - not tooooo difficult - and the one set of Bridgestone Spitfires on my K1 more

recently - a major pain. My old tire irons are about 8" long. I have seen newer tire irons for sale that are twice that length, and when

I buy new tires, I will also be getting the new longer tire irons, or finding somebody else to mount them.

[Bob Wessner]

I didn't have too much trouble fitting the new, tubeless tires to the rim as much as I did trying to insert the tube and maneuver the valve stem into the rim hole, even resorted to a little trickery for that. Next time someone else will do mine, I learned my lesson.

[Barrett99]

When I installed the S-11's I damn near give myself a coronary.  It was incredibly difficult to get the bead around even using longer tire irons with thick grips.  The side wall must be a lot stiffer than a tube rated tire.  Next tires I buy will be tube tires.  If I have to have a repair in the meantime I'll likely go to a shop.