DT/SWISS TUBELESSKITSEPT20
DT/SWISS TUBELESSKITSEPT20
R. Cunningham
This season, DT/Swiss will be producing a high-quality tubeless tire conversion. DT Swiss is known for its smooth-running hubs and world-class stainless-steel spokes. The precision manufacturer has announced this year that it now has a pro-level wheel-building plant in Fruita, Colorado. This facility is also located at the Switzerland factory. We tested the lightweight XR 4.1D cross-country hoops, and found them to be superior. DT/Swiss now has a rim band and sealer, as well as a special liner, that allows its rims for use with UST tubeless tires. This system is known as ‘Tubelesskit. It is easy to use and only costs 35 dollars.
INSTALLATION IS SIMPLE:
1) Clean the rim surface and remove the rim strip.
2) Wrap the rim in DT/Swiss double-surfaced tape.
3.) Make a hole in the valve stem. Then, pull the backing from the double-sided tape.
4) Place the stem on the base and slide the molded rimband between the rim flanges.
5) Place the band on the tape.
6) Install the tire (No soap or suds are required).
7) Fill the valve core with DT/Swiss sealing agent, and then use the provided wrench to install it.
8) Add air to your ride
HOW DOES IT WORK
It is very simple. Two DT wheels were converted in half an hour from the box to inflation. Only thing I can advise you about is how to line up the rim band on the sticky tape. It is difficult to remove the band once it is in place. I tried the Hutchinson Scorpion UST tires first and was able to air them by hand. I have yet to get flats, so only time will tell. Sealant is just as good as most tubeless conversion systems.
After that, I converted a set non-UST Tioga blue Dragon tires to test if the DT/Swiss Kit could be competitive with the Stans NoTubes.
Stans Notubes accepted the Tioga tire with little difficulty. However, I had to use an air compressor to fit the Tioga tires onto my DT/Swiss wheels. The DT/Swiss Tubelesskit is to be defended. However, I was so close to success with my hand pump that it took only one?fissssssssssssssssssssssssssssst. To get the beads seated, use the compressor. After being aired up, the Stans- or DT-converted wheels can be seated and filled with a hand pump.
Contact DT/Swiss France at: www.dtswiss.com
The DT/Swiss ‘Tubelesskit’ The kit includes a molded band, sealer bottle, double-sticky tape roll, and a Presta valve assembly with removable core. The instructions are simple to follow.
