Converting spoked rims to run tubeless tires?

[jagarra]

I was recently involved on a discussion on this subject, some of the articles and YouTube presentation gave me a few ideas on how this conversion may assist riders from not having to change a tube on the side of the road. The first bit is how to convert your spoked rim to be air tight to be able to run a tubeless tire. the 2nd item is an article on the differences between tube and tubeless rims in their construction. Now at the end of this information it is still recommended to run tubes on a tubeless rims, even though some of us have run tubeless on snowflakes and Lester wheels with no issues. The point at the end of the article presents an interesting idea that I plan on trying, the safety with a tube, but the ability to make tubeless repairs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPzoqi_4X7o

https://bestrestproducts.com/tubed-tire ... ess-tires/

I would not use the Marine 5200 sealant, it is permanent and has to be ground out, I am substituting a series 4000 ( they also make a series 4200 with less tensile strength) in it's place, at least you can remove the stuff. I have tried it by filling in the spoke holes on some junk rims. letting it cure and being able to dig it out successfully. When I was reading up on the 5200 series stuff on feedback from users, got the impression it would be extremely difficult to remove in case a spoke was broken.

[Kurt in S.A.]

What is the motivation to do this? I'm sure it can be done but I think you'd end up including one or more risk factors that don't seem worthwhile to me.

Kurt in S.A.

[jagarra]

The reason i am thinking on trying this mod is to be able to make a repair without breaking the tire down at the side of the road. I don't see any risk factors as I am still running a tube, so nothing has changed except air cannot escape via the spoke holes. As the writer in the article mentioned, if ones seals the stem of the tube to the inside of the rim so air cannot escape and you get a puncture, you repair the tire with a plug and inflate, where can the air escape? Sure there is still a hole in the tube, but does it matter if the air cannot leave the interior of the tire.

[barryh]

if ones seals the stem of the tube to the inside of the rim so air cannot escape and you get a puncture, you repair the tire with a plug and inflate, where can the air escape? Sure there is still a hole in the tube, but does it matter if the air cannot leave the interior of the tire.

I've done something similar with snowflake rims by sealing the valve stem with an O ring. Rather than thinking I could do a tubeless repair it's more of a token safety effort to prevent rapid deflation in the vent of a puncture. It's never been put to the test in anger so I don't know how effective it would be. I'm well aware of the general notion that valve stems should be left unsecured in case the tyre should move on the rim but experience of how difficult it is to break the bead on snowflakes persuades me it's not remotely an issue.

[Rob Frankham]

The reason i am thinking on trying this mod is to be able to make a repair without breaking the tire down at the side of the road. I don't see any risk factors as I am still running a tube, so nothing has changed except air cannot escape via the spoke holes. As the writer in the article mentioned, if ones seals the stem of the tube to the inside of the rim so air cannot escape and you get a puncture, you repair the tire with a plug and inflate, where can the air escape? Sure there is still a hole in the tube, but does it matter if the air cannot leave the interior of the tire.

I can see where you're coming from but I do wonder at the wisdom of spending a lot of time and effort for the ability to carry out a very questionable 'get you home at reduced speed' repair in the event of a quite rare event (i.e. a puncture).

Rob