|   Stan's vs UST: could somebody clear all this up for me. | FishMan
Jan 18, 2004 12:01 AM | | So I'm a little confused here. I'm putting a new bike together, seems like tubeless is worth a try. But what kind of tubeless? Can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of Stan's Tubeless VS UST Tubeless? How do they compare as far as puncture resistance, pinch flat resistance, weight, durability, price, ease of installation, air leakage, etc, etc, etc.
Is there any website or any thing that might have more factual information for me?
For some background, I live in Flagstaff and ride a lot in Sedona. A lot of the trails I ride are rocky loose and or sandy. I've been happy using big tires for grip and float and I'd like to get a wheelset with wide rims to give me an even bigger ground patch and greater durability.
Thanks all,
FishMan |
| Sure... | The Squeaky Wheel
Jan 18, 2004 11:30 AM | | UST is a standard created by Mavic in conjunction with various tire manufactureres. it utilizes a specific rim designed for UST tubeless specific tires. The tires have an extra inner air-tight layer and a special hooked bead which mates with the rim.
Stan's is an aftermarket kit which converts standard rims and tires into a tubeless compatible setup. The kit consists of a rubber liner which covers the spoke holes and has a valve attached. To make standard tires tubeless, the kit contains a jug of solution which is essentially watered down latex. You pour the latex into the tire, mount the tire & inflate.
Now that all sounds simple, but there are a few advantages/disadvantages to each system.
ADVANTAGES:
UST
- using latex optional. I use a scoop for extra protection
- rims specifically designed to take a UST tire and are a bit stronger than a similar non-UST rim
- tires thicker and designed to run lower pressures
- generally a more fool-proof system
Stan's
- can potentially use any rim and tire
- lighter - UST tires & rims tend to be heavy
- cheaper - UST tires & rims tend to be more expensive
DISADVANTAGES
UST
- heavier
- more expensive
- less tire selection
Stan's
- definitely more prone to leaks & tears
- some tires don't seal as well as others - it's trial & error
- sidewall air "burping" more common
- messy - changing a latex filled tire on the trail sucks and I'm convinced the aroma is a mosquito aphrodesiac
- can run pressures as low as UST
I played around with Stan's for about a year & a half before switching to dedicated UST. Some standard tires worked better than others, but all eventually failed and trail-side latex changes suck. For the past 2 years I've been using an older front rim with a Stan's strip and UST tires and a dedicated rear UST rim/tire setup. I throw a dash of latex in for extra protection. I have not had to change a single flat since going with this combo. I also don't really care about the extra quarter/half pound of weight gain. My only beef is the lack of selection of UST tires but it's greatly improved since I started. My current all-around faves are the Conti Verticals & Schwalbe Big Jims and sometimes a Hutch python in the rear when things are real dry. All 3 excel in dry conditions and are relatively big volume tires.
Hope this helps.
Squeak
Squeak |
| Just to tag on a bit..... | KMan
Jan 19, 2004 8:27 AM | | I have been using Stans system since he forst came out with it. Switched to a UST rim this past spring with regular tires, no ust tires. I have had only one failure with a regular tire and that was a Conti Supersonic (which conti's are know to breakdown when used with latex). Everyother tire I have been using has been perfect.
Does Stans system still require that you tape the rim? The only proble I ever had with Stans (and the reason I switched to a UST rim) was the latex solution eventually would leak thru the electrical tape and when latex hits the strapping tape it would start to disinigrate the strapping tape and cause a leak. Taking the old tape off and retaping was always a pain in the a$$.
KMan |
| No taping required... | The Squeaky Wheel
Jan 19, 2004 8:40 AM | | The original Stan's required taping. The newer versions only require a bit of strapping tape over the spoke bed and then the rubber strip.
KMan, if memory serves me correctly you ride in PA where the conditions are similar to what I ride. I'm surprised you've had such good success. I, as well as several friends, just had horrible failures with sealing standard tires. The sharp rocks just shredded the tires. I could see using it for racing but not everyday riding. Power to ya'
Squeak |
| Questions..... | KMan
Jan 20, 2004 8:00 AM | | I have used all of Stan's systems, except for his new wheelset.
I used the old tapeing system with just the valve stem and the next generation where you taped the rim with strapping tape, electrical tape and then the rubber rim strip.
With both systems, the latex solution ALWAYS would eventually seap under the rubber rimstrip, thru the electrical tape and start to melt the strapping tape....inevitable causing a leak. That is the only problem I have with the system, the inevitable leak.
I think tire sreadding has a lot to do with the pressure you run and how you ride a bike. I always pretty much run ligher weight tires and have never shredded a tire other than a Continental Explorer Supersonic which the sidewall tore due to the latex breaking the rubber down (Conti;s are known to do this).
I run 38psi rear and 35 psi front. Full suspension frame and am very light on the pedals.
KMan
The problem I alsway had with Stans was that the |
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