Is tubeless a bad idea for fat people?

[Dickeymotto]

So I'm considering putting tubes back in my 29er HT. The reason is that it just feels like there is too much rolling resistance, even when inflated to 35-40 psi. It actually feels like my Prophet, which is much heavier and running tubed 2.35 Nevegal DTC's, has less rolling resistance on the road. The 29er is set up with Mavic 719 rims converted tubeless (stans kit) with 2.1 Kenda Small Block 8's. They seal just fine, so air loss during a ride is not an issue. Is it just my fat ass causing the resistance or is something else wrong (I weigh 215 lbs without gear). I mainly use the bike for turning my commute to school into a trail ride, so rolling resistance on the road is really important. The bike just seems way too slow for the weight (25 lbs) and tire choice.

[Arty50]

Tubeless is a great idea for fat people. I get tons of pinchflats when I run tubes. I never have to worry about it with tubeless.

[phatfreeheeler]

On smooth roads, lower pressure is not a benefit. It's really that simple. What pressure are you running on the tubed Nevegals? I'm guessing more or you're probably getting flats. Unfortunately, too much pressure on a tubeless setup can cause the tire to rip off the bead much sooner then a tube setup...hence the low recommended pressures from Stans.

Also, the 29er Kool-Aid you are drinking is part of your issue cause it is only a negative on a smooth road.

[lph]

i threatened to never ride with one of my buddies again (who is 'big boned') after he pinch flatted about 5 minutes into a ride..... while we were climbing! He went tubeless, and we are still friends.

Tubeless is especially beneficial for big people. Can run low pressure and pinch flats are few and far between. I did tear the side wall of a UST Schwalbe a couple weeks ago and have done the same to a non-ust Kenda Telonix that i was trying to run tubeless.

[Dickeymotto]

On smooth roads, lower pressure is not a benefit. It's really that simple. What pressure are you running on the tubed Nevegals? I'm guessing more or you're probably getting flats. Unfortunately, too much pressure on a tubeless setup can cause the tire to rip off the bead much sooner then a tube setup...hence the low recommended pressures from Stans.

Also, the 29er Kool-Aid you are drinking is part of your issue cause it is only a negative on a smooth road.

Around 30 psi

I'm really not worried about pinch flats, and I don't think the traction will be much worse as I'm already running them at 35+ psi and can ride them fine on loose gravely trails (Ogden BST). Its the road stuff thats bugging me right now, it just feels slower and more sluggish than it should.

[phatfreeheeler]

Around 30 psi

I'm really not worried about pinch flats, and I don't think the traction will be much worse as I'm already running them at 35+ psi and can ride them fine on loose gravely trails (Ogden BST). Its the road stuff thats bugging me right now, it just feels slower and more sluggish than it should.

Must be the Koolaid then cause small blocks roll way better then Nevegals on roads.

[phatfreeheeler]

Are you locking a fork down? Many forks causee noticable resistence when locked down.

[Dickeymotto]

Are you locking a fork down? Many forks causee noticable resistence when locked down.

No, I usually ride with it open. Its only 80mm (Rock Shox Reba RL) so it doesn't really annoy to have it open.

[Arty50]

one of my buddies...(who is 'big boned')

You're too kind.

[mrryde]

I am actually thinking going back to tubes. I rarely get pinch flats and decided to convert to tubeless anyway. No instead of pinch flats I tend to "burp" these tires occasionally, usually at the worst times too. Burped tires are a fucking pain in the ass to get reseated.

[urbanburban]

I am actually thinking going back to tubes. I rarely get pinch flats and decided to convert to tubeless anyway. No instead of pinch flats I tend to "burp" these tires occasionally, usually at the worst times too. Burped tires are a fucking pain in the ass to get reseated.

You can have my tubes when I go tubeless. After my 4 pinch flats in one ride and running decent psi, I am converting on my new rig.