Fitting the "Nuetech Tubeliss" tire system first time

[KTMphil]

Fitting the "Nuetech Tubeliss" tire system for the first time

The below picture hopefully explains what's going on
(their website is here http://www.nuetech.com/)

Arriving in style to commence the project



Special rim tape is supplied to seal the spoke holes, a small inner tube is then in cased in a kind of small tire that has a rim lock is pumped up to 100 psi. The idea id that you have then created a sealed area the same as a tubeless tire so that, with a second valve (& hole) you can pressurize your dirt tire to 10-15 psi tubelessley reducing the risk of punctures.

So here we go, a couple of technical assistants and several technical advisers were involved in the fitting project.

Firstly drill the second valve hole in the rim for the tubeless tire's valve

First task successfully completed

Task two get the tiny 100 psi inner tube and its small tire casing ready - you can see Johnny has seated the small inner tube that will be pumped to 100 psi on the rim ready for its red rubber tire-like casing

Going on nicely

Plenty of technical advisers aready with lots helpful advice

This "small" tire that encases the 100 psi inner tube has to be very strong, hence the problems getting the bitch on the rim

Next get some soapy (justin's favorite word) water on the tire wall to ease spooning on

Then spoon the tire on, being careful not to pinch anything inside

Again plenty of technical advisers around offering suggestions

We then discovered that restaurant side tables make excellent tire changing apparatus

One of the technical advisers stepped in and helped with the spooning on

The spooning on - being careful not to pinch the USD$100 inners, sparked a lot of attention

100 psi in the small inner tube and 15 psi in the now tubeless tire and this leaking is supposed to happen while everything seats its self under pressure.

The soapy water was useful to see the degree of leakage from the spoke holes, valve stem & rim

This was just pumped up this evening for the first time, so we'll see if it stays inflated by the morning - will report back.

 

[Pounce]

Re: Fitting the :Nuetech Tubeliss" tire system first time

One of the guys here runs this system on his bike.
It's had everything from sand, mud, huge rocks & everthing imaginable thrown at it.
He no slouch on the trails & he swears by it & hasn't had any trouble with them.

 

[LivinLOS]

Re: Fitting the :Nuetech Tubeliss" tire system first time

Or just slime the tyres ??

Slime handles everything except major nails.. And even major nails will make instant punctures 'slow' punctures enough to get you out of there. Jst slimed my brothers off road tyres, will do my off road wheelset, tho less convinced for my SM wheels. Plus slime is pretty cheap.

If your running low PSI for off road, why not just run mousse foam tubes ?? Or theres those tyre balls systems.

 

[KTMphil]

Re: Fitting the :Nuetech Tubeliss" tire system first time

I've heard horror stories of people having to change tubes that have been slimed (you can still get flats).

Tire balls, nice idea, word is they heat up and melt & you can tell how many have melted(1,2 or 4?) without removing the bead. People have tried polishing/ removing the construction seam, doesnt seem to make a lot of difference

BiB Mousse's - again heat up and melt, i'm looking to test some for a laos trip to see how they hold up.

Or just slime the tyres ??

Slime handles everything except major nails.. And even major nails will make instant punctures 'slow' punctures enough to get you out of there. Jst slimed my brothers off road tyres, will do my off road wheelset, tho less convinced for my SM wheels. Plus slime is pretty cheap.

If your running low PSI for off road, why not just run mousse foam tubes ?? Or there's those tire balls systems.

 

[KTMphil]

Can report that the rear tire is holding air, some technical difficulties with the front currently.

 

[johnnysneds]

The problem with the front Nuetech seems to be with the IRC tyre bead not providing enough bead so the Nuetech can clamp on enough, maybe.
Slime works but is messy and isnt a premanent fix. Found this recently and will try it in with the Nuetech just as soon as Justin proves the system.
http://www.tyreshieldusa.com/

Looks promising. Apparently is a permanent repair and leaves no mess. Works on tubeless and tubes, but more effective with tubeless so should be a good partnership with the Nuetech system.

 

[KTMphil]

Johnny - has Justin put slime in the front tire to seal it?

The problem with the front Nuetech seems to be with the IRC tyre bead not providing enough bead so the Nuetech can clamp on enough, maybe.
Slime works but is messy and isnt a premanent fix. Found this recently and will try it in with the Nuetech just as soon as Justin proves the system.
http://www.tyreshieldusa.com/

Looks promising. Apparently is a permanent repair and leaves no mess. Works on tubeless and tubes, but more effective with tubeless so should be a good partnership with the Nuetech system.

 

[johnnysneds]

No, I was just responding to what I've read about Slime.
Still figuring out what's causing the leak on the front. Both of us are getting pretty proficient at changing tyres now. Once it's all sorted out and tested ill be ordering a few sets along with the tyre shield as I've had confirmation that they are both compatible.

 

[bigntall]

Johnny - has Justin put slime in the front tire to seal it?

Slime is an additional bandaid to aid against future puntures, not something to get the Tubliss system to seal. Once we get the system to seal effectively a product such as Slime could then be added for further protection if desired.

Ok off to plug up some leaking holes..............then i'll work on the Tubliss system some more.

 

[KTMphil]

The tire shield as extra back up to this system does look interesting, nice find Johnny.

 

[Mark Rossi]

The benefits of the Nuetech tube is not that the tyre is tubeless, the advantages are you remove the rimlock which often is the cause of puntured tubes. The Nuetech tube seals and locks the tyre to the rim. As the Nuetech tube is also protecting the rim and runs at 100psi you con run the air in your tyre to very low pressures in slippery conditions without a risk of flats.

Interested to see how the Nuetech works in S.E.A. as the majority of the flats suffered here are from nails and foreign objects puncturing the tyre and tube through the knob. Anybody had any experience with tubeless puncture repairs through the knobs on the off-road tyre?

What is the life expectancy of the Nuetech tubes?

I have a friend in Australia who runs Yamaha's off-road tours and swears by the Nuetech in his personal bike for wet slippery conditions.

 

[bigntall]

Mark - You identified the key reason why I wanted to try the Nutech over here - the ability to run low pressures over here for the slimy conditions. Anytime I would run under 13 I would get a pinch flat with normal tubes. We'll see if this works or not.

You're correct in that the Achilles heel may turn out to be nails, we'll see. If the nail only punctures the tire and does not make it the extra two inches to puncture the inner liner then a simple plug will fix the tire, a quick two minute job. If it punctures the tire, then the liner and inner tube a new tube shall be needed just like any other tube. Funnily enough all my punctures (bar one) over here have been from pinched tubes which this system eliminates.

 

[Mark Rossi]

Sounds like a good thing Justin. Boris, my friend is Aus was running as low as 8psi in the wet with the Nuetech.

 

[johnnysneds]

Aye, would be great for you to get it up and running and give it a test. Interesting to see if the other tyre makes a difference with the sealing issues.
I ran 10psi front and rear today. The earlier part of the ride had some rocky uphill sections and they held up good. I thought I'd take the chance as we were just messing around locally. The front has one rimlock and the rear has two fitted. The Tyres felt squirmish because of the low pressure but the traction was great, first time running these kind of low pressures and I felt sort of confident. Some deep rutted muddy sections and she motored on through (not the red clay may I add, tf).
Second day ever I never crashed, well there was a wee daft stumble but I'm not counting that, and I think it was down to the low tyre pressures. So come on Justin let's get these things up and running and tested good so we can all order a set.

 

[johnnysneds]

Mark,

Have you or anyone you know had any experiences with TyreGuardian or TyreShield or even Slime. On paper it looks much better than messing around with plugs.
I got some feedback from TyreShield and they say they sponsored some guy who ran both Nuetech and Tyre shield very successfully. I've yet to read the story from the link they sent.

 

[Mark Rossi]

no idea about that Jonhny

 

[bigntall]

Ok boys found the weak link. After trying to mount a brand new Thai manufactured Duro front knobby with the Nuetech Tubliss we could not get it to seal properly, even after multiple attempts. I ended up getting a Michelin knobby and spooned it on the rim. Perfect no leaks 24 hours later. Off for a ride tomorrow to check out how this system works.

From my perspective it looks like the Thai manufactured tires have a large discrepency in manufacturing tolerences that the tubliss system cannot overcome. Therefore better manufactured Japanese/German tires may need to be utilized.

Sad as I've had great luck and durability from the Duro Quick brand tires.

 

[KTMphil]

If you try and flex the wall of the cheap Thai tire mx tire near the bead, versus the wall of an expensive brand name mx tire the difference in flexibility is substantial.

Sounds like the cheap rubber in the Thai mx tire wouldn't flex enough to seal on the bead.

Ok boys found the weak link. After trying to mount a brand new Thai manufactured Duro front knobby with the Nuetech Tubliss we could not get it to seal properly, even after multiple attempts. I ended up getting a Michelin knobby and spooned it on the rim. Perfect no leaks 24 hours later. Off for a ride tomorrow to check out how this system works.

From my perspective it looks like the Thai manufactured tires have a large discrepency in manufacturing tolerences that the tubliss system cannot overcome. Therefore better manufactured Japanese/German tires may need to be utilized.

Sad as I've had great luck and durability from the Duro Quick brand tires.

 

[bill]

There's currently another conversation at Thumpertalk on the Tubliss system

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showth ... p?t=990792

 

[KTMphil]

I'm thinking about just running this Tubliss system in the rear tire.
Would be nice to get the rear tire down to say 8 psi without rim locks and the tire spinning on the rim.

I'm concerned about tears in the front tire on rocks with the front pressure that low with this system, the tire being punctured as its hits the rim when going over a rock. Also there seems to be issues with getting the front tires bead to seat well on the rim at those low pressures, last think you need is a bead leak in the middle of no where.

Maybe run a tube in the front at 12-15 psi, together would be a nice setup.

 

[Pounce]

In my front I run a heavy duty tube with 12psi.
There's a lot of sharp rocks (old coral turned to limestone) in a few areas we ride & I've never had trouble. Have hit them hard enough that you can hear it but no pinch flats or rim damage (yet)
12psi makes a good compromise between the sand & rocks which can & do appear on nearly every ride.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Anybody tried these??

http://www.rhinotire.com/

 

[KTMphil]

Justin - where did you order them from?

 

[bigntall]

If you try and flex the wall of the cheap Thai tire mx tire near the bead, versus the wall of an expensive brand name mx tire the difference in flexibility is substantial.

Sounds like the cheap rubber in the Thai mx tire wouldn't flex enough to seal on the bead.

quote]

I talked with Jeff the owner of Nuetech and he explained that the flexibility of the tire to create the seal is not the issue. He said every once in awhile he will get customers that cannot get a tire to seal. He has the customers (in the U.S.) ship him the tires to see why for himself. He explained to me that due to production variations there are blemishes in the manufacting of the tires that will not affect the tires when utilizing tubes but create enough problem with the Nuetech system that they cannot seal properly. He stated in all the ones he's sold he has had this happen only a few times but it does indeed exist. He sends the tire back to the customer with the blemish in the tire marked so the customer can see it for themselves. While not Nuetechs fault it is indeed a weakness in the system and not something that instills a great deal of faith in me as i like things to be idiot proof as much as possible.


I

 

[bigntall]

I'm concerned about tears in the front tire on rocks with the front pressure that low with this system, the tire being punctured as its hits the rim when going over a rock.

That is a concern with the Nuetech system. You can deal with simples puntures from nails and such but not large rips and tears of the tire. Now I have not ridden everywhere but have put time in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia and have never come across enough sharp rocks for it to be a huge worry for me like it was in the deserts of California. Of course having said that I'm sure someone will post pictures of a 50 KM such track they have found, haha.

Also having ridden the system with 0 PSI in the tire it handles remarkable well. I would not be scared to ride it out wherever I am as its much more controllable because it has a 120 PSI liner holding the tire against the rim. It was only when bending it into twisty tarmac corners coming down Doi Sutthep where I noticed squirming around. it handled head and shoulder better than a normal tube tire when flat.

The Nuetech liner also protects the rim from getting dented when running low pressures. jeff the owner stated he did a 500 mile high speed Baja run with a bunch of high end motocrossers and everyone came back with rims so dented they could not be straightened, except the three guys running Nuetech Tubliss. the system protected the rims that well according to him. Food for thought.

I'll put some time into the system before making a judgement.

 

[bigntall]

Justin - where did you order them from?

I got them straight from Nuetech when I was back in the states and brought them over with me in a suitcase.

 

[KTMphil]

very interesting insight on this, thanks Justin.

 

[TB-Racing]

I'll put some time into the system before making a judgement.

Working on a project with a mate and reviving this old thread, whats the verdict...???

TUbliss® is a full circumference pneumatic rim lock which secures the entire tire bead to the rim, completely eliminating the use of a conventional tube!
TUbliss® completely replaces the conventional tube while delivering several key performance features that's scoring points and lap times with racers and riders everywhere....
http://www.nuetech.com
http://www.nuetechonlinestore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1

 

[bigntall]

Working on a project with a mate and reviving this old thread, whats the verdict...???

I could never get them to seal reliably, this despite numerous sets of Tubliss. They worked wonderfully in the slick clay when they held air, but it was too rare to never have issues. I tried fix a flat stuff and still could not get it to seal. Failures on long trips to Lao and Umphang began to do my head in so tossed them and back to thick tubes sadly.

 

[KTMphil]

I thought switching to more expensive MX tires, with better quality rubber compound, gave a decent bead seal and therefore then worked ok?

I could never get them to seal reliably, this despite numerous sets of Tubliss. They worked wonderfully in the slick clay when they held air, but it was too rare to never have issues. I tried fix a flat stuff and still could not get it to seal. Failures on long trips to Lao and Umphang began to do my head in so tossed them and back to thick tubes sadly.

 

[bigntall]

nope

 

[Taninthai]

i just ripped a valve out from the tube running low pressures for the last week,then on another forum just see this system....wish i had seen it 6 weeks ago while still in europe could have packed a few in my suitcases believe they have a 2nd generation set out know might have cured some off the earlier issues.
have emailed a seller asking for any discount on multiple orders, will definitely save on shipping, anyone interested let me know ,im only after the rear.