How to do a Tubeless Conversion that actually works

Today's video is a long one, we're taking a detailed look at how to do a tubeless conversion so you do it once and never have to deal with it again. I take a few extra steps that aren't mandatory but give peace of mind.
As I say in the video, you can do a conversion faster than this, but I like to take my time as I believe that this the difference between a tubeless setup that will be a PITA down the road and one that will just work.
Tubeless will be a bit of work to setup but the advantages are huge once you have a working setup, I got a flat in the video I did at Windrock due to the chunkyness of the terrain, all I had to do was point the hole down, let the sealant take care of it, pump up and keep on going, no changing tubes.
I do always recommend you carry a spare tube in your pack or taped under your saddle so that if you ever cut a tire or have an issue the sealant can't deal with (hasn't happened to me in a VERY long time) you can always just throw in a tube, finish your ride and re-do the setup back home.
The hardest part of this setup is to get the tire to pop-up onto the bead while inflating for the first time, while I was lucky in this video and it worked without issues, you may want to check out these videos for ways to help yourself if you don't have a compressor at home.
BikeRadar - Make Your Own Tubeless Inflator: • Make Your Own Tubeless... (I have one of these and have used it successfully many many times)
Skills With Phil - Cool Tubeless Tire Inflator hack for mountain bikes!: • Cheap Tubeless Tire In...
If you have any question shoot them in the comment section and I'll be happy to help out.

[@D31TCJG]

This has been the most concise video on how to do a tubeless conversion I have seen! Thank you so very much!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thank you very much Cesar, much appreciated.

[@williamdistasio9358]

I converted my new YT Jeffsy 27.5 using only a floor pump and it worked 1st shot both tires. I did only un- beaded ONE side, and carefully took out the tube, put the side back on, removed core, filled it with sealant, core back in, and Presto!! The Presta valve filled it no problem! Maybe I'm just lucky, but that's cool! If you bought a bike that says its "tubeless ready " that means the rim is pre-taped. You likely will NOT have to re-tape that rim as it's factory taped so it's done by a machine. Perfectly taped 99.9% of the time. But, if you're re-doing an existing human taped rim, by all means, save yourself a headache and tape it yourself. Thank you for all of your hard work

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Oem equiped wheels have gotten much much better from 2017 to today. You can basically pour sealant and inflate and that's it 🤣

[@williamdistasio9358]

@@BlindstuffMTB right

[@davelister5952]

Just ordered my Maxxis tyres and about to convert my Jeffsey to Tubeless. I’m gong to follow your instructions word for word, excellent video, thanks very much for taking the time to document the process so well 👍🏻

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Happy to help Dave!

[@mountainarena7202]

I have been having a few issues with mine and have watched a few videos on this subject but your was really well done with nothing missed out. Thanks

[@TheBeardedMountainBiker]

Perfect, just what I was looking for. Thank you very much :)

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks man! Glad it helped.

[@MarcoDambrosio96]

Thanks for helping me do this on my bike bro, it's been great since!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Anytime bro, glad its working out.

[@FloridaTrailrider]

Well done man. You didn't miss a thing.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks!

[@LeeTanczos]

BlindstuffMTB most important when removing tyres... get the bead in the well all the way around... and before inflating or adding sealant, spin the wheel in the bike, this will raise the beads onto the shoulders of the hooks. Then you have a chance of inflating it and getting it to mount up :-)

[@ToogyHowser]

Great thorough video! Plan to convert my GF's bike to tubeless and this will help a lot!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful.

[@ks2717]

Really a great job with this video. I think I'm going to try it!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks, its a fairly simple process, just a little time consuming. Ask away if anything.

[@99jerseyboy]

Well done man! Thanks!

[@BFR1974]

Really well explained. Thank you.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Happy you found it to be useful

[@JordanByron]

Nice! I've never done the "put a tube in first and leave the bead on" trick. That seems to make things much easier.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

I suffered with one tire wheel combo in particular and after searching a bunch and learning that trick it really makes it so much better.

[@evanrmtb9852]

Nice, this is very helpful, as I'm looking at converting my bike to tubeless as well. I also live by the use of tire levers too 😂

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks Evan, its very much worth converting to tubeless, forget about flats and the bike feels so much better!

[@phillipmoore8531]

Followed your exact methods and the tubeless setup went great! Air pressure is holding and everything went smooth the 1st try. Thanks for the tips and help!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

+Phillip Moore happy to have helped. Nothing better than getting things done with your own hands, right?

[@phillipmoore8531]

For sure! I do pretty much all of my own maintenance and it's really rewarding and fun to learn. Installing a new Wolftooth dropper remote tonight!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Phillip Moore that's a super comfortable one, which one are you switching from?

[@phillipmoore8531]

BlindstuffMTB That's good to hear! Im getting it in the mail today. Im switching from the standard KS remote, not the southpaw. Im looking forward to the under the bar mount and better reach adjust!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

You'll be happy, makes a big difference imo.

[@gesmondfarrugia1109]

Excellent great video

[@sklify1232]

Superb tutorial -concise, yet in depth. I followed it to the letter with great results. The tip about inflating with a tube and leave one side of the beads seated in is absolutely key I found. Perhaps a quick video, or a comment here on how you maintain/service your tubeless setup would be most welcome too. Many thanks again!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Very happy you found it useful! Most always, you can check the sealant every 6 months and just top it off, I honestly don't think about it too much.

[@bjorngustafsson3436]

Nice tutorial 😃

[@andrewa254]

Great video thanks

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful.

[@rmack611]

Thank you!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Glad to help Ryan.

[@zxtenn]

I just did my new 2018 Spectral this morning, DT M 1900 wheels and factory 2.6 Maxxix tires. I took out the tubes, installed the supplied stems, used a bit of dish soap to coat the beads then headed to the gas station with $1.50 in quarters and Conti Revo sealant, I put about 150-160 in each tire and they pumped right up at the gas station -yup I did the 'sealant dance' too when I got home and pumped up to about 35 I work a lot but when I get a 2-3 day weekend I will go to JackRabbit for some beginner riding, I think for $2400.00 I got a good deal compared to say a base AL Stump Jumper that's $3300.00, I just need to set rear shock and ready for a trial run.

[@thijsvanbree5730]

Good vid!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks, glad you found it useful!

[@derekbrown6621]

You made that look easy and took your time to through the steps well so we can follow these steps am going to try it new bike coming in 2 weesk so will have the time to order sealent.(1 think im not sure about is the width i should use.my inner rims are 30mm so will i use 30 mm rim tape or under that size?

[@tubenachos]

My new Maxxis Minion was very tight on my new rim 😅, took me 30 minutes and two broke levers

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Making sure the tire is in the central channel in the rim as you mount it really helps for that. That part of the wheel is slightly smaller so you get a little give

[@marcs4091]

I also love Maxxis tires. But if you can settle for Panaracer instead there is no need to go tubeless.

[@Greystone1111]

Great video! :-)

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks, glad you found it useful! When does your Jeffsy come in?

[@Greystone1111]

About 14 days. I am from Denmark, and we have no mountains, but we have some ok trails, and the mountainbike sport, is thriving, in this tiny country :-)

[@BlindstuffMTB]

We have no mountains in FL either, we have some great trails regardless, with some good building you can make great trails everywhere. Congrats on the new bike, let me know what you think once you've ridden it.

[@CobraKyle]

Excellent tutorial! Is the High Roller II that comes on the Jeffsy tubeless ready? I'm hoping YT's rim tape is tubeless ready as well. May call them directly if can't find the info online.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks Cobra Drums! The High Rollers that come with the Jeffsy are not stamped as TR on the sidewall, that being said, I have a buddy with a Capra that brings the same non-tr tires stock and his conversion has been holding up just fine. The tape that comes on the wheels looks exactly like the e13 tubeless tape, so I'd assume it is.

[@CobraKyle]

Thanks for the info! I also just subscribed. Look forward to more of your work.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks man, appreciate the support!

[@jhyoo110]

Just got my jeffsy and im looking into going tubeless. Do i need to buy new tires? How are the stock maxxis holding up so far?

[@phildelm5264]

Great, very good tutorial Bro. What's your tape please ? Thanks. 🤘🤙🤘

[@phildelm5264]

BlindstuffMTB ok Thanks Bro and see you 👍

[@desmondthang6759]

After watching your video, I'm feeling much better to do this conversion myself. Q1. I have been riding my stock Giant Trance X4 for many years. Now it's time for a pair of new tires. I'm very sure that my stock rim is not designed for tubeless but can I use your method and convert front/back into tubeless? I'm planning to get 2PACK Maxxis Ignitor tires will this work with tubeless?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Happy to have helped. You can convert any rim in this way, some are easier than others, but I've yet to have any modern rim not work. Maxxis tires come in a variety of compounds and styles, the ignitor comes both TR (tubeless ready - which is what you need) and non TR. Just make sure the pack you're getting says TR.

[@kfivemtb]

great video....learned some new tips. thanks! I'm in florida we should get together and ride!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks man, glad you liked it! Sounds good, send me a message through the channel and we can chat.

[@kfivemtb]

sounds good...you have a new subscriber!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

So do you, been checking out your videos, like the focus you've given it. Have fun if you're still traveling NC!

[@wyleyveinot6540]

Love the channel bro, awesome videos just subscribed. Quick question, I'm looking at a new bike and it's between the yt jeffsy and the giant trance. Watching this video you mention you have (or had) the trance, and obviously have the jeffsy. Which do you like better and would recommend? Thanks in advance.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks man! Glad you are liking the videos, appreciate the support. Choosing a bike is always tough because bike taste is subjective, just this weekend a buddy and I tested the exact same Yeti SB6 one after the other, he didn't like it, I loved it, so its a bit complicated, I can give you my opinion, but do as much research as possible. I had the chance to testride the 2018 Trance Advanced 2 this weekend, at $4000 I was not very surprised, why does a bike that expensive come with a Revelation fork? The 2017 had the Yari which was much better. I'd say its hard to beat the value of the components for YT, comparing the Trance 2 and the Jeffsy AL1, for me what would sell me on the YT is the Pike. I'd recommend you look at the components more than the bike itself, they'll be similar in frame capability, based on the components you can more easily figure out which you like best.

[@wyleyveinot6540]

BlindstuffMTB Thanks for the reply. I've been doing a ton of research and honestly I think I'm going to go with the yt it was the original bike I wanted to begin with anyways but like you said the components between the bikes give yt the obvious win. Only other question I have is what made you go with the cf1 vs cf2 I'm stuck between the two.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

I'm a big fan of 1X drivetrains, front derailleurs are clunky and complicated, they take up space on you bars and for most people, with an 11 speed rear you can climb anything. I see that second chain ring as unnecessary. Also, the Reverb dropper is notoriously unreliable.

[@wyleyveinot6540]

BlindstuffMTB thanks for the opinion I'm most definitely taking it into consideration. Cheers man keep up the great channel!

[@garteaga482]

Awesome how-to! How are you liking your Jeffsy? I just ordered a CF Pro Race 29 myself and plan to do this conversion once it arrives.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Absolutely love the Jeffsy. It's been amazing. Just as an FYI, with the new ones you should be able to get away with just changing valves, adding sealant and inflating.

[@kevinm7732]

@@BlindstuffMTB I just got the 2018 JEFFSY 27 CF are the wheels and tires tubeless ready? I just need to replace the valves?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

@@kevinm7732 That is correct

[@jonm2522]

Can i use a shrader valve or is Presta best for mountain bikes wheel size 24" and 26", thanks.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Use whatever valve fits properly in your wheel. Most wheels only work with one or the other. For a 24" wheel, depending on the build you may have a harder time getting it to seal tubeless.

[@amandapeine6745]

Mine has been impossible without first using a tube to seat one of the beads. For my asymmetric rims, I unseat the narrower/steeper side to pull the tube out.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Thanks for the added input, have never dealt with Asym rims, hopefully this will be helpful to others as well.

[@CobraKyle]

I just converted one of my tires using your method. Pretty sure I did it correctly. How many pops should you hear when inflating? I heard a couple, but not as many as I had anticipated. The line on the tire is showing all the way around, and I don't see any leaks yet. I inflated like a madman, so feel somewhat confident it's good.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Sometimes it doesn't even pop. Take a look at 12:50 to 13:20, what matters is that the line outside of the wheel is uniform all the way around. Notice you made the comment 12h ago, has it been holding pressure since?

[@CobraKyle]

I checked it before work this morning and it had lost about 15 psi. The line was uniform on it. Pumped it up again this morning and will check after work. I still have to do back tire, so will keep experimenting. My first time doing this haha.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

The first time is always a PITA, it took me like 2 hours, now I can do it in like 20 minutes haha, learning curves! Make sure to slosh that sealant around to help with the leaking, it should slow down after a couple of days. My tires loose about 1-2 psi per week now.

[@CobraKyle]

Awesome! Thanks for all your help. I just wanna go ride, and will call this a minor speed bump.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Once you feel the improvement in grip you'll be happy you battled through it. Remember to play a bit with lowering the pressure a few psi so you get the most of it.

[@Exalix]

What is the internal rim width in mm for this wheelset?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Gerard Posch 28mm

[@clopez933]

do you need a tubeless ready tire to make this conversion work?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

2:15

[@Greystone1111]

Was the YT "stock tape" TL ready, so to speak?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Yes. The Tape that comes on the e13 wheels is tubeless ready, don't know about other builds. I pulled the tape solely for the video.

[@kandem01]

Nice jeffsy! I'm a YT owner as well!

[@BlindstuffMTB]

The Jeffsy has been great to me!

[@CHRISTRINH4490]

Thank you for making this video! This is a noob question, but can this be done on more or less any type of wheel? Or does the wheel and tire have to be marketed as "tubeless ready"?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Happy to help Christopher! Almost all decent wheels (non Walmart level) tend to be usable, I've seen some have a harder time than other sealing, specially where the rim is welded together, but nothing that a bit more sealant can't manage. Tires on the other hand are hit or miss, some work well despite not being labeled Tubeless Ready, other sweat all the sealant and leak air. What wheel tire combo do you have?

[@CHRISTRINH4490]

I currently have Mavic X223 with Kenda Nevegals and Specialized Ground Controls on my mtb. The mountain bike is really old - 1999 Cannondale Super V900 - I got it as a gift and I am doing as minor upgrades as I save up. For the road, I am planning to upgrade to Mavic Ellipse wheels with Continental Grand Prix 4000s tires. Any experience with these set ups? Thanks for all your help! Your experience goes lot farther than an article on the internet.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

I'm strictly a MTB rider, I really have no idea about road tires so I can't give you any info there, but the Mavic X223's do convert well to tubeless, it should work without any major issues. I've converted the Nevegals successfully but never done the Ground Controls. I'd say its worth a shot, just use a tiny bit more sealant than usual.

[@CHRISTRINH4490]

I'm convinced! Lol I'll let you know how it goes xD

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Christopher Trinh that's the spirit! Let me know if you need any help

[@jondonnelly4831]

fuking nice, first video i seen using a tube to help seat tyre, i think that is why my several tries at it failed, uneven seat. I did use a massive compressor for spraying cars. It held air till i tried it on the trails then it blew it's load in 20 minutes, milky rims. I also could hear air hissing around the valve, so i ordered better values with included o ring. Basically the entire stans kit was wasted.. times 2. almost gave up.

[@237311]

Helpful video. Does both wheel and tire need to be tubeless ready?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Its ideal if both are, but I've converted non tubeless ready wheels many times. With the tires, its mandatory so they don't leak sealant.

[@237311]

BlindstuffMTB But my tires still relatively new (non tubeless) and don’t want to waste them.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

​@@237311 You can try with one just to see how it goes. I've had some work and some not work.

[@237311]

BlindstuffMTB could you please tell me how did you do it to make it work?

[@BlindstuffMTB]

@@237311 some non tubeless tires work, others don't as they leak through the sidewalls, hard to know. The only way to be sure is get tubeless tires.

[@mateuszgazowski6827]

Hey. I have a problem with air leak trough the valve hole. Originaly there was a shrerder valve. Now when insalling tubeless Im putting presta and there is air leak in the valve hole. Guys in the bike shop could not fix it. They just indentyfied the problem. Any ideas what should i do to fix it? I tryed to pump it dry (no sealant) and its imposible. the bike shop compressor, floor pump or co2 did not managed to do the job. Pls help.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Hey Mateusz, that's a tough one, if you had a schraeder valve before maybe the hole is just too big for a presta valve. The simplest solution I can think of is trying to find tubeless Schraeder valves as they may fit the hole better. I know stans sells them, have you tried that?

[@mateuszgazowski6827]

this might solve the problem... im so tired of it that i can try any thing :P

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Let me know if it works

[@mateuszgazowski6827]

It will take me some time to get them cuz me local bike shop is poor but as soon i will get it i will let you know. thx for the help. :)

[@SoCo_Surfcasting]

Sub'd!

[@conorflanagan5442]

How do you manage to keep the tire seated after deflating the tube? Every tire I've ever owned immediately unseats the second you deflate it. I've been struggling for 3+ days to set my wheel up tubeless.

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Conor Flanagan some wheel tire combos fit looser than others, the looser ones are harder to seat. Apply soapy water to the bead of the tire and use either a compressor or one of the bottles in the description.

[@Greystone1111]

I am only a novice, and 46 years old, so i wan´t a good "tool", for the fun, i have left on the trails, in this life :-)

[@BlindstuffMTB]

Age is only a number, I ride with some 50+ year olds that are a lot faster than I am, as long as you're out there having fun its all good!

[@denismacfarlane255]

Ummmm yeeeeah that WAS tubeless tape.

[@benevans6801]

Really bad job

[@BlindstuffMTB]

What don't you like, Ben?