View Full Version : Dura Ace Tubeless
spierfalls
05-01-2010, 06:37 PM
Just got back from my first ride on the new Dura ace/Hutchinson Tire wheel combo and I must say they are fantastic. The ride is smooth and very similar to tubulars with great cornering and a solid feeling on the decents. Getting the tires on is a bit tricky but well worth it. I did a test on a very bumpy road switching back and forth from my bike to my wife's with Campy clinchers and we both agreed there is a huge difference in the ride. I'm a little scared about getting a flat with the work involved in changing the tires but hopefully my support vehicle will be close by. :)
tv_vt
05-01-2010, 07:12 PM
These are the 7850sl wheels you're talking about? Curious if you've tried them with tubes, how they might feel compared to a regular wheel.
How much do you weigh? Do the 16/20 spokes F/R feel like they're enough? I'm really intrigued by these wheels, but can't get around the low spoke count and need to send them back to the factory if anything goes wrong.
I would run them with tubes. I like the hubs, that I can use them with 9 speed, that they're light for climbing, and the low spoke count is nice for windy conditions...
Appreciate any more comments.
Thom
rnhood
05-01-2010, 08:12 PM
If you are going to run tubes then just get the 7850-24CL wheels, these are identical except that the SL has a slightly different rim design so it can run tubeless. The 24CL wheels are advertised as 1380g, but they ride and perform so nice it really wouldn't matter what they weighed. And don't worry about the spoke count, these are "engineered" wheels, not wheels built from a box of parts. They can handle a 200lb rider without a hitch. They are also reasonably aero with the low bladed spoke count. Superb wheels. I've been running them about a year and a half now with no problems.
I think the tubeless SL wheels weigh about 100g more. Insignificant really. If you want tubeles, go with the SL or the new TL.
CNY rider
05-02-2010, 05:59 AM
I also have a set and run the Hutchinson tubeless.
The ride is tremendous.
I don't think there is anything else you can buy, other than tubies which I have no experience with, that improves the ride of a bicycle this much over clinchers.
Some soapy water does wonders for getting the tires on.
Of course that won't help when you get a flat in Timbuktu....
jblande
05-02-2010, 06:05 AM
one piece of advice, put on and take off the tires a few times at home and then put them back on. it will make a huge difference, once you do have to deal with it on the road. they stretch a bit, allowing them to fit over the rim a bit better. i do this with all clinchers, but find it especially useful with the hutch's.
Likes2ridefar
05-02-2010, 06:05 AM
If you are going to run tubes then just get the 7850-24CL wheels, these are identical except that the SL has a slightly different rim design so it can run tubeless.
If you want tubeles, go with the SL or the new TL.
It's easy to apply stan's tape to the cl version. The tape is very light, and I wouldn't be surprised if the cl's come out lighter than the tl version.
I was able to mount my fusion 3 tubeless tires with my hands with not much effort. I found it no more difficult than mounting my typically used conti. 4000s.
They sealed up with a floor pump and soap suds on the first try and have been great for the past month. I really like the tubeless ride and cornering, like others have mentioned.
I think the tubeless SL wheels weigh about 100g more. Insignificant really. If you want tubeles, go with the SL or the new TL.
I have the same wheel in the TL - pretty phenomenal. Light, fast feeling, very responsive, but somehow cushy feeling as hell. I even inflate my tires to a higher pressure on these than my other tubeless because the wheels feel so soft (in a good way).
I've never had much problem getting the tires on or off. I just carry a tube for roadside repairs and that makes the whole thing about as easy as having a flat on a clincher. Just pull one side of the tire off, check for thorns or glass or whatever caused the problem, pop the valve out, insert tube, get the tire back on the rim, inflate, you're ready to ride. I've only had to actually use the tube on the road once, but it was no different than fixing a clincher flat except for the extra few seconds associated with removing the valve.
-Ray
tv_vt
05-02-2010, 11:24 AM
Seems to be two lines of design out there, both claiming better ride on clinchers: tubeless (like the DuraAce 7850) and wider 23mm rims (like the Hed Ardennes/Bastogne). Both seem to have lots of supporters. I think the Campy Fulcrum 2-way fit is the only one that has both tubeless and wider rim designs (I think it's 24mm wide).
I'm torn between the 7850's or a set of handbuilts with DA 7900 hubs and Velocity A23 rims...
T
Likes2ridefar
05-02-2010, 11:45 AM
fwiw, the dura-ace rim is slightly wider than the typical 19mm at 20.8mm.
Seems to be two lines of design out there, both claiming better ride on clinchers: tubeless (like the DuraAce 7850) and wider 23mm rims (like the Hed Ardennes/Bastogne). Both seem to have lots of supporters. I think the Campy Fulcrum 2-way fit is the only one that has both tubeless and wider rim designs (I think it's 24mm wide).
I'm torn between the 7850's or a set of handbuilts with DA 7900 hubs and Velocity A23 rims...
T
I've got both and I definitely prefer the feel of tubeless. Although I really like the Hed rims with Michelin 25mm pro-race. Those things look like frickin' ballon tires on those wide rims, particularly compared to the Hutchinson 23s on a slightly narrower tubeless rim. But just comparing them straight up, the wide rim clinchers still feel like clinchers - they handle a little differently but I don't think the ride is much different. The tubeless feel altogether different to me. Of course the best of all worlds is probably tubeless on a wider rim, either a converted HED or if the new Fulcrums are similarly wide. That should really be a nice combination.
-Ray
johnnymossville
05-02-2010, 05:55 PM
I've got the Dura-Ace 7850 SL's and ditto to what Ray has said. They ride great. Another thing, I haven't had to true them once since I got them. They are still STRAIGHT!
It looks like there are starting to be some options as far as tires go also. Which is always nice.
slowandsteady
06-07-2010, 09:08 PM
I just got the Dura Ace 7850-Sl with Hutch Fusion tubeless - OMG - what an incredible ride!!! I can only reiterate what everyone above me has said about the feel and quality of the ride so far - FANTASTIC magic carpet ride. I only have a couple of rides on them but so far I love the ride feel, cornering and stability of these wheels. I have previously been using a set of handbuilt 32 hole, DA 7800 hubs laced to Mavic Open pros with Wheelsmith spokes and Michelin Pro Race 3 25mm tires...these DA 7850-SL's beat them hands down and I did not think i'd be saying that so easily. Plus they are lighter, and way better looking (at least on my ride and atmo) and more aero. I am 173lbs btw.
My only hesitation is that i dont feel a whole lot faster. I am not using a computer on my rides anymore so it is purely subjective for now but I am not sure they roll much better than my other wheels...I am thinking it might be subjective in the sense that because the ride is soooo much smoother and more muted it might FEEL like I am not going faster and yet maybe I really am...gotta throw the 'puter for a few rides and get some data cuz my brain hurts from wondering about this dilamna :banana:
dekindy
06-08-2010, 09:23 AM
I agree with all the positives and superlatives already stated.
Plus, I like the confidence of knowing that my front tire is not very likely to separate from the rim if I have a blowout on a downhill descent.
I think the key to being certain of inflating these tires with a floor pump on the initial install is getting the tire seated properly around the stem area. You can tell by pressing the tire away from the rim. If the stem is not exposed by this pressure the tire is seated down between the rim and stem. If the stem is exposed, flex the tire until the bead seals between the stem and rim on both sides.
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