Tubeless Blues

[Stefan Mikes]

Just thinking it’ll be squirmy.

Well, I'll tell you I was as exhausted during my Diverge EVO demo ride (34 km mixed terrain including abominable singletracks with THE SADDLE SET TOO HIGH) as I cannot remember the sound of the Rhombus on asphalt

Squirmy? I used to ride downhill MTB tyres on alphalt. Only noisy. Very much.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

At times it seems completely random what tubeless tires will work with a given rim. Yes, there are standards but my experience so far is that the standards are at best a starting point for working out what tires and rims are compatible.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

At times it seems completely random what tubeless tires will work with a given rim. Yes, there are standards but my experience so far is that the standards are at best a starting point for working out what tires and rims are compatible.

I think I would experience less issues if I owned a good compressor...

 

[stompandgo]

Compressors are a pain in the ass.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Compressors are a pain in the ass.

How so?

 

[stompandgo]

A cheap pancake or portable compressor will do the job that you need, but they have very little capacity. A good compressor that will work hard and last a long time is very heavy, need lots of maintenance, and is expensive. I guess I just have a bad relationship with them over time.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A cheap pancake or portable compressor will do the job that you need, but they have very little capacity. A good compressor that will work hard and last a long time is very heavy, need lots of maintenance, and is expensive. I guess I just have a bad relationship with them over time.

I understand. My brother Jacek is a man strongly involved in both automotive and bicycle activities, so he owns a powerful compressor. Nothing I could own here.

Wow, that is one aggressive off-road tire, Stefan. Good for you! I presume this will not be used on the road much, right. Just thinking it’ll be squirmy.

@Chazmo it is just unbelievable! I took my Vado SL with the Rhombus in the front for a test ride. The tyre was silent and fast rolling on paved surfaces! It was the Tracer Pro in the rear that was noisy!

The secret is the tyre only touches the paved surface with a very thin and hard strip in the tread centre. But... just ride into the sand or mud or a soft surface... The tyre is firm at 42 psi but it is supple and dampening the road vibration extremely well!

I will surely replace the rear tyre with a Rhombus for the race. Specialized Europe in the Netherlands gives a good discount on Rhombus now. I regret I didn't buy a pair of them in one shipment!

 

[Base]

They are in Arnhem, you could take the train and pick m up yourself.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

They are in Arnhem, you could take the train and pick m up yourself.

Base, there is Specialized Europe BV, but also Specialized in Cham, Switzerland. Depending on what you order online, it might come from Arnhem or Cham. The local distributor is in the Czech Republic. They manage, i.a., the demo fleet of bikes as well as handle Polish warranties.

Besides, Specialized Warsaw would gladly transfer a Rhombus Pro from Specialized Wrocław by courier

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Now, after my tubeless pains are gone (I know I would be able to install the second Rhombus properly and easily), I can confess the most stupid thing I did in the whole process

After the first Tracer was properly seated and sealed on the rear wheel, I went to install the front one. It ended in a success! Until I realised I had installed the tyre against the intended rotation direction

Afterwards, the said Tracer told me it hated me and never let itself seat on the rim

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Please watch this video first:

Ollie said, among others, something like that: 'So you have installed tubeless on your first wheel easily and then you try to do it with the second wheel...'

It didn't help I could "shoot" both beads of the new Rhombus Pro easily onto the rim of the rear wheel, and even for several times. I had replaced the rim tape with the proper 21 mm one. Then I tried two different models of tubeless valves, including a Chris King. To not avail: the tubeless valve was terribly leaking air at its hole! I gave up, and similarly to Ollie installed a TPU inner tube in five minutes.

Any benefit the tubeless system might provide is negatively outweighed by the installation and maintenance trouble. I won't suffer the tubeless anymore (keeping the tubeless for the front wheel in hope it would work). Listen to Ollie, he says many right things.