Tubeless
The parts of a tubeless setup, starting with the valve. Choose its length for the rim depth and its seal for the shape of the rim bed: two details that make an airtight setup.
Choose the valve for the rim depth
The valve goes through the rim, and its stem still has to stick out far enough to take the pump head. The workshop rule of thumb: the rim depth plus fifteen millimetres or so. Hope Tubeless Valves come in 40 and 60 mm: the first for shallow rims, around 25 mm, the second up to about 45 mm. The seal matters as much as the length: Hope supplies two per valve, a conical one for most rims and a narrow one for road rims with a narrow channel. Most of our wheelsets arrive with their valves fitted: the Hope is for changing length or colour, or replacing a clogged valve.
Fitting a tubeless tyre without a compressor
The bead has to snap against the edge of the rim, so you need airflow. Two moves help. When fitting, push the beads into the centre channel of the rim: you gain the slack that lets the last section of tyre go on. When inflating, remove the core: air flows in unrestricted and the bead seats. The five-way air path of the Hope valves is there for that flow, and one of their two caps removes the core. Once the beads are seated, deflate, pour the sealant in through the valve, screw the core back in and reinflate. Elitewheels then asks you to ride straight away, 25 km on the Velo Six II, so the sealant coats the whole inside.
Looking after the sealant and the valve
Sealant dries out with time and heat: a tyre that loses pressure faster than before is often running low. Check it and top it up at every change of season. Sealant also ends up clogging the core, and the pump no longer gets air through: remove the core, clean it, put it back. All the tyres in our selection are tubeless ready, and the tyres and tubeless page explains the pressure rule on hookless.
Frequently asked questions
What length of tubeless valve should I choose?
The rim depth plus about fifteen millimetres, so the pump head can engage. Hope valves come in 40 mm for shallow rims and 60 mm for deeper ones.
Why does my tubeless tyre lose air?
Most often, the sealant has dried or has not spread yet: ride straight after adding it, and top it up every season. Otherwise, check the valve nut is tight, the seal is seated and the rim tape is in good condition.
Can I ride tubeless without sealant?
No: sealant closes the pores of the casing and small punctures. Without it, a tubeless ready tyre deflates quickly, and both Pirelli and Hutchinson require it when fitting.