Tubeless Tires

[Luke D.]

Happy Memorial Day to everyone and thanl you to all of the Veterans who are and have served.  I dont want to start a tizzy but I have read lots of yeays and alot of neahs.  On regular LS rims can I run tubeless?  I know some say yes and some say no.  If I were to try tubeless what do I need to change over and is there anything I can do to make it more tubeless friendly?  I do alot of solo driving and I  am always worried of a flat or blow out and I know running tubeless is alittle easier to run and fix should a flat occer.  Thank you all for comment.

[Bob_Roller]

I won't even voice an opinion on whether you should use a tube or not with LS wheels .

About the only thing you need to do, is to get a tubeless valve stem installed in the wheel .

If you do run tube less, I would recommend you check the tire pressures,  until you can tell if you lose any significant amount of pressure per week .

[tvrla]

Like Bob said, you'll need a tubeless valve stem. Get the metal one, not the rubber style that can fail suddenly with no warning.

I've run tubeless on my LS with no issues - if that tells you anything. As you said, tubeless flats are more easily repaired. The other issue, that these rims don't have the safety bead for tubeless, doesn't really enter the equation, since in a blow-out situation, it doesn't matter if there's a tube or not, as in either case the tire could come off.

[Luke D.]

Thank you Bob and wirespokes for your help.  Is there a certain tire that I need to run or do any work?  Right now I use Bridgstone Spitfire 11f's and they say to use tubes.

[Luca]

Haven't heard of a Spitfire 11F, only the Spitfire S11, which is a tubeless tire.

You want to run something that is rated for tubeless use, as tubeless tires have a sealant on the inside to keep the air in.  Have a closer look at your Spitfires, they might say something like "tube or tubeless"

[Luke D.]

I like the tires I have, they are really nice in the rain and pretty good on dirt when I hit it.  But on the tire it says to use tubes with them.  Could you share (those of you who have tubeless) what types you have and how they work?  Thank you for any help.

[nhmaf]

They look like normal Bridgestone Spitfire S11 tires to me - I don't recall seeing anything about tubes required for them - I'd expect them to say something like "safe for tubeless use" or something.    You can run tubes in a tubeless tire with no issues except perhaps a 1-speed rating decrement on the tire due to increased heating from friction with the tube.    But on these airheads with about 103MPH top end, as long as the tire is at least "S" rated for speed (112 MPH sustained) then you're good to go  for anything you'll see on any public road.

[montmil]

My 1978 R100S has spoked Akront aluminum rims so I have tubes in the Bridgestone S11 Spitfires.

My 1981 R65 snowflake rims are wrapped with tubeless S11 Spitfires.

[Luca]

Had a look at my spits for ya

The Front tire says 11F, the Rear tire says 11R

Two other bits I found on the sidewall:

-"S11F Tubeless"
-"Use tube on tube type rim"