Reynolds Carbon Clinchers + TUBELESS tires + CX = ?

[eBAUMANN]

Just had a crazy thought...

Anyone have any thoughts or experiences setting up Reynolds carbon clinchers (assaults specifically) for tubeless use? Specifically with 32-34c CX tires?

Good idea/bad idea?

[FlashUNC]

That sketches me out a bit personally.

[eBAUMANN]

but im hoping it might be possible...

[FlashUNC]

I worry -- even at the relatively low speeds of cross -- that you're asking that section of rim to do yet another thing, and one it wasn't designed to do. Sure, it'll be low pressures, but they weren't really built for that.

[floxy1]

I don't see why it wouldnt work. I've run tubeless CX (not on those rims) and had no issues. Make sure you have enough rim tape so the tires fit tight. I like two layers with the normal overlap around the valve.

[eBAUMANN]

do they make tubeless valves long enough for a 46mm rim? can you use a valve extender with tubeless? (i cant think of why not...)

[Bruce K]

My concern for those rims would be the number of dings and scratches I see on my alloy cross wheels from rocks, etc.

I don't think those rims would survive very long in cyclocross.

I have seen some long tubeless valves but I don't remember from who. Extenders won't work in this application (unless you find a valve just barely long enough) as you need to be able to secure the valve from the inner side of the rim with the lock nut.

BK

[eBAUMANN]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

My concern for those rims would be the number of dings and scratches I see on my alloy cross wheels from rocks, etc.
I don't think those rims would survive very long in cyclocross.

People ride carbon rims (zipp, reynolds, etc) for cx all the time..rims that were originally designed for "road" use, seem to hold up OK (as ok as a carbon rim can) from what I can tell.

My real concern would be lacing/spoke count, and rolling and/or burping tires do to low pressure+narrow rim bed.

[Bruce K]

The carbon rims used in cross are tubulars - at lest st I haven't seen carbon clinchers

A small chip won't necessarily unseat the tire on a tubular

My comment was about using clinchers

BK

[Bruce K]

I spoke with Stu Thorne who owns CyclocrossWorld.com to get an expert opinion for you

He says that while they sort of work it is better to either go clincher, tubular, or use the Stan's cross setup (rims and all)

It is his opinion that the tubeless setup with a standard clincher rim does not provide enough bead anchorage nor tire cross section to work well in a cyclocross application.

He sells the kits for people who want them but is not a huge fan

BK

[Monthly Payment]

If you do decide to do it, I saw this and thought it was worth a shot:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tu...onversion.html

After seeing this, I may do it on a set of Easton EA90s myself for road use.