Ride in AA recovery truck and tubeless tyres

[dogshome]

Pretty much self explanatory title 

I have Conti classic attack radials which can run tubless. Standard alloy R65 wheels. The front has ozone damage (rubber cracks around the tread blocks) and the rear is too damned big at 120/90 x18. I also have two new tyres of the same type, exept the rear is a 110/90 18. I have new tubes.

Before I replace like for like, how do i convert to tubeless - there are multiple advantages. Which valves do I need etc??

 

[Bob_Roller]

With the standard snowflake wheels, I wouldn't go tube less .
I tried this on the 'composite' wheels on the LS models and got excessive leakage after about 2 months, 5-8 psi per week .
Had to have tubes installed .

[dogshome]

Thanks Bob 

[Tony Smith]

Technically snowflakes do not have the correct profile to run tubeless tyres, but having a said that a lot of people do run them tubeless a d I am not aware of any resulting fatalities.

As some may recall I run an K100 front wheel on what used to be an R65.  I did try running the front wheel tubeless. It the leaks defeated me. I will try again once I have my recently acquired LS rear wheel ready to go.

I will use "Stan's No Tubes" to seal the rims on the theory that if it can seal a bicycle wheel it will work just fine in a cast wheel.

[georgesgiralt]

I think there are tyres and tyres.
Michelin tyres are tubeless and can take a tube on tube type rims. Some, like Bridgestone make two versions of their tyre, one tube type the other tubeless (more common).
So I bet the beading are not the same also. Maybe Michelin use a profile able to seal and stay put on either rims.
But nobody will say a definite yes or no so you are left on your own.
I would not run a tubeless only tyre with a tube inside.
I would not run a tubeless tyre without a tube on a tube type wheel. Be it tubeless only or like the Michelin.
But that's just me.
I just add that putting a tube when mounting a tyre is not that much of a hassle.... Especially if it is done by a dedicated tyre specialist in his shop....
It is your life , you do as you want. You're a big boy now.

[dogshome]

Conti classic attack are tubeless or tubed.

• Tubeless valves? Check!
  
• Tubes? Check!
  
• Big mahoonas? Hang on, checking......
  

[dogshome]

.... still checking....     

[PhilipW]

BMW fit tubeless Metzeler tyres with tubes on the R Nine T Racer so I cannot see why there is a problem doing so . I have had various makes of tubeless tyres with tubes on bikes over the years ( some fitted by professional tyre shops ) and never had an issue .

[georgesgiralt]

Hello,
Some tubeless tires have a very smooth inside surface. This cause the tube to stick and overheat in place leading to failure.
Some, like the Michelin have dots or ribs or.. covering the inner surface allowing the tube not to stick badly to one place.
Actually, the possibility (endorsed by the manufacturer) to install a tube in a tubeless tire is written on the walls of the tube.
(some have "TL/TT" markings, some have "On a tube type rim, fit a tube" ) It is a long time since I fitted or used Metzeler tires so I can't tell but I bet that the mechanic installing a tube on a tubeless tire had the proper tire and assurance to do so, for legal reasons .... Check the markings on the R Nine T....
Just my 2˘ ™

[Barry]

As already suggested above, a tube will make a tubeless tyre run hotter so it is usually recommended to reduce the speed rating of the tyre by one grade.  Not likely to be an issue given the top speed of an R65.

Given the choice I'd rather have a proper tube type tyre as it will be less stiff and easier to fit.

[PhilipW]

        "Check the markings on the R Nine T.... "

The tyres fitted to my R Nine T Racer are the original BMW fitted tyres and have the marking as shown in picture . Quote from the Metzeler web page :

 "Metzeler-tubeless-tyres may be fitted to tube-type rims, if the following restrictions are kept: Use only Metzeler-tubes. Tubeless tyres fitted with a tube have a max. permitted speed of 230 km/h "

Without wanting to get up anyones nose I do think a lot of information ( not only about tyres ) is either urban legend or very old advice . Even manufacturers advice can be out of date . Avon still says this about fitting rear tyre to the front and vice versa :

Avon would not normally recommend this fitment. If you do this however, due to the way tyres are manufactured, you should reverse the tyre’s direction of rotation if you fit a front tyre on the rear or a rear tyre on the front of your bike.

This is an MOT failure ( copied from .Gov web site ) ;

Examples of an unsuitable tyre are:
a tyre specifically designed for front wheel use fitted to the rear wheel

If a tyre has only one direction arrow it must be fitted that way . Some tyres have no arrows or arrows in both directions showing universal fitment .

As I have said I have never specifically purchased a tube type tyre to fit on a tubed rim and i have never had a problem - apart from nails screws etc 

[georgesgiralt]

Hello,
Could you post all the markings on your Metzeller tires ?
Because, if I'm not mistaken, it should say on the tire that you can use it on a tube type rim.
Next, the possibility of a tire to use or not a tube is based on the interior finish of the inside of the tire. So only the maker and the mechanic fitting it can say if it is or not.
Add to this that rubber compound have evolved a lot in the 20 last years. As does tire manufacture. This is the reason why Michelin says that you can put a tube into their tubeless tires. IT was not like that 20 years ago where they explicitly forbid so ! So "something changed".... Obviously.
This is why I would be delighted to read everything written on your Metzeller tires.
P.S. : Moto Guzzi delivered me a bike in September 2020. It was fitted with V rated tire on the front and not the size indicated on the technical sheet of the bike. The bike has a maximal speed (theoretical) of 150 km/h.... So I bet they fitted whatever tire they could put their hands on....  But YMMV 

[PhilipW]

There is no mention anywhere on the tyre about tube / tubed . Pictures 1-6 are the entire left side of the front tyre , 7 and 8 are the only differences on the right side of the tyre apart from VERY small writing about checking tyre pressures / do not repair tyre / have new tyre fitted by professional etc but too small and awkward to photo but definitely no mention of tube .

[georgesgiralt]

Ah ! That's funny !
Thank you ! I've learned something new today.
I thought the marking was mandatory. Apparently something changed.

[Barry]

There is a clue in the MT 3.5 designation in picture 2 which suggests the tyre should be mounted on a 3.5" MT rim.   MT rims are for tubeless tyres.