Tubeless setup: GravelKing SK 28mm on Mavic Aksium?

[Yoln]

Hi,

I need to setup a bike for easy gravel riding for a friend, and currently have a pair of 28mm GravelKing SK and a Mavic Aksium Wheels mounted with tubes. I'd like to tun them into a tubeless setup for lower-pressure riding and better puncture protection, but:

- GravelKing SK 28mm aren't Tubeless-Compatible (TLC), only tires size 32 and up are said to be TLC ; as per Panaracer: "Available in 700 C and 27.5 Sizes and a variety of widths, TLC in widths 32 mm and larger". What is the difference between 28 and 32 that would makes 28s non-TLC?

- Mavic Aksium are not ready for Tubeless either, but I assume that since their go with hooks, that should be OK with the correct amount of tape?


All in all, would you do it? If not, this bike can't accept anything bigger than 30mm, any tubeless recommendation for sturdy gravel tires?

Thanks for your help!

[rwoofer]

I couldn't get tubeless to work on Aksiums because the rim join is not welded and air/sealant just kept leaking out. Maybe it could in time, but didn't have the patience to figure it out.

[Miller]

Much as I love tubeless, trying to mount a non-tl tyre on a non-tl rim as tubeless seems like a poor idea. Schwalbe Marathon has always been the go-to tubed tyre if you want puncture protection, maybe try those.

[Yoln]

Much as I love tubeless, trying to mount a non-tl tyre on a non-tl rim as tubeless seems like a poor idea. Schwalbe Marathon has always been the go-to tubed tyre if you want puncture protection, maybe try those.

Thanks, I would agree with you usually. But in that specific case, gravelKing SK are all similar and all tubeless except the 28mm, I wondered why. And Aksium have been mounted tubeless, even during an "official" test (https://road.cc/content/review/mavic-ak ... set-265208) and are assumed to be OK for tubeless by many people

[jlok]

Much as I love tubeless, trying to mount a non-tl tyre on a non-tl rim as tubeless seems like a poor idea. Schwalbe Marathon has always been the go-to tubed tyre if you want puncture protection, maybe try those.

Thanks, I would agree with you usually. But in that specific case, gravelKing SK are all similar and all tubeless except the 28mm, I wondered why. And Aksium have been mounted tubeless, even during an "official" test (https://road.cc/content/review/mavic-ak ... set-265208) and are assumed to be OK for tubeless by many people

I guess it's about the beads retention / strength and tire pressure. The GK SK beads are not tested / able to handle the pressure one would usually use on 28c. Compounded with modern wide internal width rims they would become unwanted disaster.

I think the max pressure for GK SK 32mm is 60psi? At what pressure would you try the GK SK 28mm on the very narrow AK rims?

[Yoln]

Much as I love tubeless, trying to mount a non-tl tyre on a non-tl rim as tubeless seems like a poor idea. Schwalbe Marathon has always been the go-to tubed tyre if you want puncture protection, maybe try those.

Thanks, I would agree with you usually. But in that specific case, gravelKing SK are all similar and all tubeless except the 28mm, I wondered why. And Aksium have been mounted tubeless, even during an "official" test (https://road.cc/content/review/mavic-ak ... set-265208) and are assumed to be OK for tubeless by many people

I guess it's about the beads retention / strength and tire pressure. The GK SK beads are not tested / able to handle the pressure one would usually use on 28c. Compounded with modern wide internal width rims they would become unwanted disaster.

I think the max pressure for GK SK 32mm is 60psi? At what pressure would you try the GK SK 28mm on the very narrow AK rims?

55-60 psi... which is already very low for tubes and actually below the recommendations