Making spoked wheel tubeless

[loneeagle1100]

I was wondering if anyone on here has taken a spoke wheel & made it tubeless. I know it can be sent off to be done for a price, but there has got to be a way to do it youself for a fraction of the price. All bikers aren't rich But these companys act like we are. I'm one of those do it yourselfers like a lot of bikers are. Any suggestions will greatly be appreciated.

[PapaSmurfMC]

Already been done:
Spoke Wheel Sealing - Shadowriders

[adlowe]

Aced It did that very thing earlier this year. He probably posted a thread about it. He's also "painted" tires to get the whitewalls the way he likes them.

[old dad]

and a good smoothing



I haven't done this but would like too.

[tgelphman]

ok i'll be the one to ask, what is the reason for doing this? Are tubeless tires better some how?

[Coop]

Tubless allows you to plug a tire in emergencies.
Coop

[Sgoatley]

Originally Posted by tgelphman

ok i'll be the one to ask, what is the reason for doing this? Are tubeless tires better some how?

+1


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[adlowe]

Originally Posted by tgelphman

ok i'll be the one to ask, what is the reason for doing this? Are tubeless tires better some how?

Better? Not really. Most of us are using tubeless tires anyway. Some of us have to put tubes inside them to hold the air.

The advantages are:
o Puncture problems are easier to handle. You can plug (as mentioned above) and re-inflate -- or -- pump in enough air to hobble somewhere off the road.
o Less expensive because you don't have to buy tubes and rim flaps. (I do that whenever replacing the tires but it could be done less often.) Or deal with pinching (and puncturing) the tube if you change tires yourself.
o There may be more I've overlooked.

The disadvantages are:
o Some folks (me, for one) like the look of spokes. Sealing the rims (as old dad illustrated and Aced It has done) is a possible answer for us. Changing to spokeless rims is another, more expensive solution for those that don't care as much.
- The disadvantage of sealing the rims is, of course, leaks.
- There's also the issue of the bead area of the rims being "less robust" than rims designed for tubeless tires. I do not know how significant an issue that really is.
o There may be more I've overlooked.