I'm having some WTB rims built up. I need new tires so figured might as well go with WTB Nano 40c TCS. While I'm ordering...I was thinking about grabbing the rest of the stuff needed to go tubeless...tape, valves, sealant. Just wondering if anyone has used the WTB stuff and if so...is it good or should I look at something else like Stans or some other brand? This is my first time trying tubeless.
I have used the tape, stems and nanos. All good stuff. Sealant is kind of like chain lube everyone has a favorite, I used Stans when I first went TL and it worked fine, currently happy with a homebrew. The stems worked with my WTB frequency rims but not with other deeper wheels so you might want to get some longer stems. The Nanos are my outback tires only and imo are noisy and slow on pavement, I think there are better options out there since those came to market. The new WTB riddler looks interesting and would be my choice.
I'm completely sold on the WTB TCS system. I've set up a few different WTB TCS rims with a variety of TCS tires and it has always been as easy as it possibly could be. Tape the rim, put the tire on and pump it up. I've even set up i45 Scrapers with 3.0" Trail Bosses with just a normal floor pump and it was no problem. It's so good, I don't even want to mess with other tires any more.
RoverAl wrote:The Nanos are my outback tires only and imo are noisy and slow on pavement, I think there are better options out there since those came to market. The new WTB riddler looks interesting and would be my choice.
Yeah...I've read great reviews about the Nano for off pavement riding which is what these will be primarily for. They are going on my new off road wheelset and I'm putting Gatorskins back on my stock wheelset for mostly pavement riding.
I will say a big reason I was really looking at the Nano other than the reviews...is the price. I can get them for a decent price through I discount program I'm part of. $30 per tire for the TCS version. If I was paying full price...I'd probably look at something like the Teravail Cannonball but at $60 a piece...that's not in the cards right now. My buddy ran them last week at the Hilly Billy and he said they were perfect. Not one issue and he said he couldn't even begin to count the number of flats he rode by during the day.
I'm just trying to prepare for a gravel ride coming up on the 16th which is only 56 miles and all but 10-15 miles is gravel or trails so I want to make sure I have something that will handle the off pavement well. I mean I don't think I'd have any issue with my current tires and they are in good enough shape I don't need to replace them...I was just concerned how they'd play with the WTB rims so I didn't want to chance it and put myself in a time bind before the 16th. The Riddler does look interesting though. Unfortunately I can't get them at a discount. Just the Nano and the Crossboss.
I can get some select Kenda tires too...which I like and have had good luck with on my mountain bikes...but again...how do they work with WTB's TCS system? I've read it can be finicky at times with different tire brands. Something I need to look into more tonight so I can get an order in in time to get the tires I decide on, setup, and ride a few miles to get used to them before the event.
My $.02: I'm also a relative newcomer to wider tubeless tires. My prior experience with high pressure tubless road tires was very mixed and disappointing. Recently I switched to Maxxis Ramblers 40 mm TR using installed on my stock HED Tomcat wheels. I used Orange Seal endurance sealant, 21 mm Stans tape, Stans 40mm valves, and Stans sealant injector. I followed the Stans youtube for road tubeless. Everything was surprisingly easy--- not any more difficult than installing a tubed clincher. I've been running about 30/35 PSI front/back on my local dirt and gravel road, as well as a few unmaintained logging trails. Absolutely no problems. And, the Ramblers give me a much smoother ride than the stock Kenda Happy tubed happy mediums they replaced. My advice - you almost can't miss with tubeless for GG. I did have to use a compressor to initially seat the tires; but my floor pump is relatively low volume. You may or may not need a compressor to initially seat your tires. If you do, your local shop will likely help you out. Or, there are some floor pumps available that have a special chamber to install tubeless tires. See the Gravel Cyclist web site for a review.
Thanks for the insight. Not sure I'll go tubeless for the road but I definitely want to try it for gravel. Not even so much to run lower pressure but that is an added benefit. Not that I've had a problem yet...but I want to do what I can to avoid flat issues. I know tubeless isn't 100% but I know it helps. There was a local race a couple weeks ago that had a lot of flats and I'd bet 90+% if not 100% were tubes. This race coming up that I'm doing I don't expect problems. From what I understand the terrain is pretty mild but I'd still rather not chance it. And I do have a compressor and I know my shop will help if I need it. In fact I'm hoping the tires and tape/valves will be here by the time my wheels are done so I can just mount everything there when I go to pick the wheels up.
Nubster wrote:Thanks for the insight. Not sure I'll go tubeless for the road but I definitely want to try it for gravel. Not even so much to run lower pressure but that is an added benefit. Not that I've had a problem yet...but I want to do what I can to avoid flat issues. I know tubeless isn't 100% but I know it helps. There was a local race a couple weeks ago that had a lot of flats and I'd bet 90+% if not 100% were tubes. This race coming up that I'm doing I don't expect problems. From what I understand the terrain is pretty mild but I'd still rather not chance it. And I do have a compressor and I know my shop will help if I need it. In fact I'm hoping the tires and tape/valves will be here by the time my wheels are done so I can just mount everything there when I go to pick the wheels up.
You may be surprised at how much smoother the ride is on tubeless at lower pressure. Realize, that your tires - not your wheels or frame - are the main suspension for your bike. After a few hours on dirt and gravel, you'll notice the difference -- especially your butt, hands, wrists, and lower back.
Can't wait. Got the call today....wheels are done. Tires and parts are still processing. Hopefully they will be shipped this week or early next week. I'm going to use the wheels anyways...I'll install my X'plors with tubes until the Nanos arrive. I want to make sure there's not issues with the new wheels before the ride on the 16th.
Nubster wrote:Can't wait. Got the call today....wheels are done. Tires and parts are still processing. Hopefully they will be shipped this week or early next week. I'm going to use the wheels anyways...I'll install my X'plors with tubes until the Nanos arrive. I want to make sure there's not issues with the new wheels before the ride on the 16th.
Good luck with your new wheels. I agree that it is a good idea to stick with stuff you know before an important event. But, I'm also sure that you'll be riding your next gg event tubeless.
Yeah...it's quite aggravating that the tires and parts won't be here until day before the race. I may setup the wheels and try a short ride to see how they do and chance it. Not sure yet. I guess that's the price I have to pay for the discount that I got on the setup, extended shipping time. At least I'll have it for the next event.
Chanced it. Paid off. Setup was perfect yesterday. Great traction on the dirt, gravel, and mud. Pavement a little sluggish but I guess that's to be expected.
Setup was super easy. Seated the tires no problem with just a floor pump. Sealant through the valve. Held air over night and no problems race day. 53 miles and 4500 feet yesterday. Great day.
Nubster wrote:Chanced it. Paid off. Setup was perfect yesterday. Great traction on the dirt, gravel, and mud. Pavement a little sluggish but I guess that's to be expected.
Setup was super easy. Seated the tires no problem with just a floor pump. Sealant through the valve. Held air over night and no problems race day. 53 miles and 4500 feet yesterday. Great day.
Glad it worked for you. Tubeless is definitely the way to go with GG. Now, especially with all the tire companies coming out with TR tires for the GG market. Not so sure about tubeless for high pressure 23 or 25 mm road tires.
