After a lot of searching and measuring and contemplation, :idea: I decided to take a shot at making my 08 set of 404 clinchers tubeless. I'm already a convert to tubeless and have a couple of wheel sets running the setup. So this won't be my first time for the process.
Here they are on my favorite ride a 2005 Raleigh Prestige Carbon/Aluminum frame.
![Image]()
First I had to put the rim tape on using 2 layers as you would for any other notubes
installation. But I found that the aluminum on the inside of the Zipp rim to be too slippery
when I did a trial taping. This was after hitting it with a green scowering pad and finishing
up with brake clean. So I got a dremel out and used the circular silver metal brush tip
to ruff up the inside. Took a while, but this did the trick. After a good cleaning with brake clean the tape went on brilliantly.
Here is a closeup.
![Image]()
The main problem with a deep aero rim like the 404 is getting a valve stem long enough to
protrude through the edge of the rim so you can attach the stem nut to it. This will
hold the stem in place so you can inflate the tire. I used a Conti Race 650 tube with
the longest stem length I could find. Which is 60mm. The part number was
CO-650EXP. BTW, I contacted notubes to see if they had a stem long enough for this aero rim and they said the longest they had was 42mm. I have already used this stem with other tubeless wheelsets but they were no more than 27mm aero's. Anyway the 60mm stem would prove to be just barely, and I do mean "barely" enough length.
I cut the stem from the tube leaving enough of the rubber around the base of the stem
not let it slip through the stem hole. You also have to cut enough off that it does not
interfere with the seating of the tubeless tire bead on the rim. It sounds harder than it is
to determine this, as it is quite obvious how much to cut off when you are looking at the
base of the stem seated into the rim.
To get the stem to seat deep enough into the rim I had to drill the stem hole out to about
5/16th of an inch. It was trail and error and I rounded out the hole a smidge with the drill
bit to get it just right. Once this was done, I used a small wood block I had laying around
from some woodworking projects I have done, to press down on the bottom of the stem
as it was seated in the rim, and at the same time screw on the stem nut. I was able to get about 2 full turns and that was all. It was enough to hold it securely, even though I was
a little concerned that the nut would strip out and not be able to hold.
Here is a close up of the stem and nut, you can barely see the brass stem sticking
out of the rim. It was really close!
![Image]()
Once I was at this point I was home free as the rest of the process it just the same as
any other tubeless mounting process using notubes. I did use a Tofu 31mm extension
as these seem to be a good brand. You could use something else though. I used about 1oz of sealer in each tire.
I also used a hand pump to put air in the first wheel just to see if it could be done. But I had my wife put pressure on the tire where we could see air leaking due to the soapy water that is applied to the bead of the tire just before inflating. I had to pump like a mad man, but I got it to seat. I would highly recommend
using an air compressor as it is so easy to inflate and seat the tire with one of those. This is what I used on the front wheel, and won't use a hand pump again for initial inflation and
seating again. Unless I have no choice. One note on the air compressor solution, if you
don't have a screw on presta valve adapter to use with your air compressor and you have
a hand pump that allows you to remove the valve attachment head. You can use this to
inflate the tire with the compressor.
I have over 200 miles on the wheels and tires and have had to add a few pounds of air just
once. I run the tires around 85 to 90 pounds. I weigh 157 pounds and it rides silky smooth and rolls just as easily as when I was running 110 pounds with tubes.
I just love this setup! :thumbsup:
Here they are on my favorite ride a 2005 Raleigh Prestige Carbon/Aluminum frame.
First I had to put the rim tape on using 2 layers as you would for any other notubes
installation. But I found that the aluminum on the inside of the Zipp rim to be too slippery
when I did a trial taping. This was after hitting it with a green scowering pad and finishing
up with brake clean. So I got a dremel out and used the circular silver metal brush tip
to ruff up the inside. Took a while, but this did the trick. After a good cleaning with brake clean the tape went on brilliantly.
Here is a closeup.
The main problem with a deep aero rim like the 404 is getting a valve stem long enough to
protrude through the edge of the rim so you can attach the stem nut to it. This will
hold the stem in place so you can inflate the tire. I used a Conti Race 650 tube with
the longest stem length I could find. Which is 60mm. The part number was
CO-650EXP. BTW, I contacted notubes to see if they had a stem long enough for this aero rim and they said the longest they had was 42mm. I have already used this stem with other tubeless wheelsets but they were no more than 27mm aero's. Anyway the 60mm stem would prove to be just barely, and I do mean "barely" enough length.
I cut the stem from the tube leaving enough of the rubber around the base of the stem
not let it slip through the stem hole. You also have to cut enough off that it does not
interfere with the seating of the tubeless tire bead on the rim. It sounds harder than it is
to determine this, as it is quite obvious how much to cut off when you are looking at the
base of the stem seated into the rim.
To get the stem to seat deep enough into the rim I had to drill the stem hole out to about
5/16th of an inch. It was trail and error and I rounded out the hole a smidge with the drill
bit to get it just right. Once this was done, I used a small wood block I had laying around
from some woodworking projects I have done, to press down on the bottom of the stem
as it was seated in the rim, and at the same time screw on the stem nut. I was able to get about 2 full turns and that was all. It was enough to hold it securely, even though I was
a little concerned that the nut would strip out and not be able to hold.
Here is a close up of the stem and nut, you can barely see the brass stem sticking
out of the rim. It was really close!
Once I was at this point I was home free as the rest of the process it just the same as
any other tubeless mounting process using notubes. I did use a Tofu 31mm extension
as these seem to be a good brand. You could use something else though. I used about 1oz of sealer in each tire.
I also used a hand pump to put air in the first wheel just to see if it could be done. But I had my wife put pressure on the tire where we could see air leaking due to the soapy water that is applied to the bead of the tire just before inflating. I had to pump like a mad man, but I got it to seat. I would highly recommend
using an air compressor as it is so easy to inflate and seat the tire with one of those. This is what I used on the front wheel, and won't use a hand pump again for initial inflation and
seating again. Unless I have no choice. One note on the air compressor solution, if you
don't have a screw on presta valve adapter to use with your air compressor and you have
a hand pump that allows you to remove the valve attachment head. You can use this to
inflate the tire with the compressor.
I have over 200 miles on the wheels and tires and have had to add a few pounds of air just
once. I run the tires around 85 to 90 pounds. I weigh 157 pounds and it rides silky smooth and rolls just as easily as when I was running 110 pounds with tubes.
I just love this setup! :thumbsup:
