29″er UST Tire News and Rumors
November 26th, 2007 by Guitar Ted
Word comes out of France today that Hutchinson’s Python 29″er tubeless ready concept tire has achieved UST status and now can be marketed as a UST standard 29″er tire. This is a first in the 29″er world.
Some clarification here might be necessary. It is a widely held belief that UST means that a tire has to be able to hold air without sealant on a UST standard rim. This would mean that any tire that could do this would need an extra layer of butyl rubber around the inside of the tires casing to help it seal and become airtight. Well, this is only partially true. UST status can be attained also if any tire design meets the bead interface criteria and can hold air with the aid of a sealant on a UST rim as well. So, this means that the Python is going to be marketed as a UST tire but will require sealant, as it is a “tubeless ready” UST tire.
What keeps other tires from being UST that use a sealant is the bead interface doesn’t meet the UST standards. Is this a big deal? Well, obviously UST has some marketing benefits and should impart some degree of confidence in the technology to any mountain biker looking for a tubeless system for 29″ers. The only problem here is that there is currently only one tire available that meets this criteria.
That is going to change in the very near future. Geax is planning on releasing a UST certified version of it’s popular Saguaro 29″er tire in a tubeless ready version. Geax calls this technology “TnT” for “Tube, no Tube”. The tire will have a reinforced sidewall, unlike many other tubeless ready tires, and will have a “tubeless talon”, or bead interface. No release date has been reported as yet for this Saguaro variant.
Hutchinson is not staying idle either and is rumored to have “other treads” in developement for 29″ers as well. No word on adding to the tubeless ready ranks, but it would seem like a mistake for them not to do this.
As for Michelin, they have been rumored to have had another 29″er tire design in the works since last spring, and were thought to be doing a UST tubeless ready tire for 29″ers. Currently it seems that Michelin has withdrawn its bid for this as yet unnamed 29″er tire to be a UST tire. It is thought that the tire is a 29″er variant of a currently available 26″er tire pattern and that Michelin may be doing their own version of a tubeless ready system.
If we hear anymore solid information regarding the Michelin tire, or any of the other rumored tires here, we will report back. Stay tuned!
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I mine as well start saving for a compressor now, And enroll in anger management class, @#$%!!!!!!! Tubeless
A second thought- With sealant, couldn’t I take my WTB SpeedDisc WS, with my Fire XCs, add sealant and a tubeless stem, inflate and have myself a tubeless wheel/tire set??
Comment 2 is what people do who don’t mind 1.
Is the current Python 120 Tpi or the wimpy 60 Tpi? Same for the new Geax 120 or 60?
I feel bad for everyone complaining about their tubeless problems. I run Maxxis CrossMarks on Stan’s rims with the sealant and never have a problem getting them to work, hold air or anything. I am a light guy at 165 so I think this plays a part. But here in AZ sealant is not an option, you have to have it. It works for me but I know it doesn’t for everyone.
OK, so I am new to this whole “tubeless” thing…is there any other advantage to it besides less weight?
Steve: It also helps reduce pinch flatting to near zero. (You can pinch flat the tire, but that is a rare occurance) You can run lower pressures and get more traction. But the big thing is that you can do all of that without the resistance of a tube. Try running a low presure with a tubed tire and you can feel this resistance which is missing for the most part with a tubeless tire at the same pressure.
“Is the current Python 120 Tpi or the wimpy 60 Tpi? Same for the new Geax 120 or 60?”
The current python is 127tpi. The new Geax Saguaro TNT will be 120 tpi just like the standard folder.
Don’t let the lower thread count mislead you into thinking a tire is “wimpy”. The truth, in fact, is the opposite. The higher the thread count, the lighter and more flexible the casing material which provides better traction at most pressures and a more supple ride overall. Unfortuantely this also means the casing is more prone to cuts. You’ll find the most durable tires (downhill, freeride, courrier etc.) running casings between 26 and 60 tpi. With that said, folding xc tires are built around 120 tpi to maintain the optimum weight/durability ratio.
Ryan: Thanks for the info didnt know any of that, about those tires.
I just know my favorite xc tires are Crossmark UST for 26 are 120tpi. At 205 lbs I can run 32 psi no problems, never cut the side wall. Cant say the same for the Kenda small blocks or others. I allways have good luck with Hutchinson UST stuff to though.
Looks like I might have a new pair of Kicks for my 29er.
Frank: Next time we ride Im rollin ust meats, and dropin the hammer on you with some low pressure 29er tires. ….Flippin “Horse Jocky” JK. Kinda
Stan’s comment: I have been racing Schwalbe Little Alberts tubeless (Stans Olympic/Flow F/R rims) for nearly a year in AZ; and not a single flat. Cactus thorns out here are like Oak leaves in Missouri. Due to the lack of humidity you need to R&R sealant every two to three months so invest in a Presta valve stem tool and plan on pulling the tire every six months to scrape out the sealant. I just received a set of Racing Ralphs which I’m installing this week. I’ll let you know how they work - they make this in 2.25 and monster 2.4’s if you want to install on a rigid front end. The tires are sweet.