How to go TUBELESS on Bontrager Wheels (Tubeless Setup For Trek Bikes)

[@DanielSanchez-cx7ze]

1) tailgate of the pickup. Genius workbench! 2) Nice dance moves with the sealant.

[@Gamebit450]

That is crazy never heard of the plastic rim strips. I went tubeless on my line comp 30s, I used stans tape and stans sealant. Had no probs this season. Love the comp 30s!

[@jd42305]

I just put them on. Flawless and perfect fit. Was a breeze and I'm very happy with it. Getting the Continental GP5K tire on itself was my worst nightmare.

[@WOLFTICKVIDEOS]

One of these days we will go back to tubeless on at least one bike. I rather have all of the tire choices for now. Thanks for the video.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't have a bike that runs tubes anymore

[@DumpsterPanda01]

Great video. I’m picking up a Trek FX Sport 6 that’s coming tubeless and I’ve been comprehensive about going tubeless until now! Thank for your help.

[@jamesgoens3531]

I went tubeless on my 2021 Domane SL6 using GP 5Ks. Really liking it and no issues after 1000 miles. My dealer used DT Swiss rim tape. I wasn’t aware of the plastic rim strips. Pretty neat idea and looks easy to install.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah makes super simple. How you like the GP5000? They look good

[@jamesgoens3531]

Jamesthebikeguy I’m really liking them, they roll very smooth. It’s my first tubeless setup. It took me a while to get used to hearing the sealant roll around in the tire. Nice not having to carry spare tubes. I still like the Rubino Pros on my Roubaix, a solid and easy rolling tire.

[@plmn93]

The plastic is thicker than tape though! My Bontrager tires on Bontrager wheels have proven to be nearly impossible to install with these Bontrager TLR strips, despite supposedly being made to work together. Not going to patch a tire or put a tube in there on the trail, that's for sure.

[@harrygrimley4352]

Nice. Simple concise and to the point. Well done. Thank you sir. And a new dance for my party nights.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

😂😂😂

[@JDM417]

Thanks for providing the items and steps. I will be doing that to my Trek Domane.

[@timmartin6410]

Great video, I'm converting to tubeless on my 2020 Dual Sport 3. Picked up the TLR rim strips and correct valve stem. I went with Continental tires and to say they were tight going on is an understatement, but they inflated right up. Given how challenging the tires were to get that last bit of bead on, I'm opting for the syringe method of putting the sealant in.

[@Joshuakoffmansculpture]

Thanks for this! I have a Bontrager Affinity TLR set, and wasn't aware of Bontrager's rim strip requirement. I went to go tubeless, but got a little confused when I saw the strips. Didn't know if I needed tape or what, until I saw your video.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Glad to help. Enjoy the tubeless setup.

[@markusandersson5099]

well on they're website it says that it is recommended but tl tape works aswell

[@timident]

Brilliant!!, thanks for this, I was trying with "normal" Tape and couldn't get a proper seal....off the to TREK shop for the rim strip...

[@bertski60]

great video...answered so many of my questions. thankyou!

[@jrstriker12]

Good video! That's really helpful!

[@FisherFAST]

Valve stem length looks good. Usually they look way too long. Assuming that you used 44mm here and not 55mm?

[@metubenoggin07]

Nicely done James. I've watched tons of similar vids, I like your no-nonsense approach. Any tips for those of us who've worked all our lives to feed the n+ bike addiction, and now find maintaining multiple tubeless setups like juggling (leaky) chainsaws? You know, ride bike one, two, three and by the time you're back to bike four, it has completely lost its air, grip and sealant. Is it enough to just spin the wheels a few times every "X" number of days? ... no, I won't sell any of my childr ...I mean, bikes.

[@metubenoggin07]

@@clintfipps7312 I hear you Clint, I've been frustrated to the edge of insanity with tubeless, but I've found newer (2020 and later) rims and tires seem to play nice for the most part. I'm now riding tubeless on 3 of my 4 bikes, and actually loving it now. Thousands of combined miles, zero flats.

[@dominicwalker9947]

That rim strip went on rather easy. My stans tabe kept coming off the role uneven. i ended up getting continental tubes with removable valve cores. Then putting sealent in the tube after mounting. Works good so far.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Nice

[@rleague1620]

We need a longer video of James dancing!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't want to break the internet

[@r.d.vaughan4541]

​ @Jamesthebikeguy, What is not covered is the need to check if the sealant has dried and adding more. I'm getting a new bike that comes with TLR tyres (Domaine SL5 Gen4) and at least right now stand unconvinced to the value of going tubeless when tubes are simply easier and less messy to deal with. Of course each to their own and I have nothing to compare with as I've never ridden a tubeless bike tire. My experience with tubeless car tires was never good and always ended up getting tubes put in as I live in a cold winter climate. An apples/oranges comparison but never the less has me leaning away from tubeless.

[@PaddleDogC5]

thanks James

[@sergiomontearroio3485]

Dammit James! I like your videos! Thanks!

[@paololopez7]

Great Info, James! Just a question please; How many times Can I reuse Bontrager TLR Plastic Rim Strip?, maybe Could you give us any comment or recomendation, thank you 👍.

[@jbratt]

I ask myself, why watch this video? I have mounted a lot of tubeless gravel tires...then I see plastic rim strips wow 😮. Good job thanks!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

They rock for sure! Though not officially recommend, I have used them in other brand wheels with great success.

[@DanBlake3rd]

Excellent video. My 2021 Checkpoint’s TLR rims have what looks like gray rim tape. Do I need to remove this before using the strips or tubeless rim tape? Thank you.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yes remove that before TLR strips or tape

[@garymgettier2987]

Great video. Very helpful.

[@mattjones1873]

Thanks for this mate. Champion! Setting up my Aelous Pro 5's and Aeolus Pro 3V's today as tubeless :)

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Have fun!

[@andrewhillman9632]

Love these videos

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks.

[@Sangram-IND]

Broooooo❤️❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 you looking super cool

[@barryerlandson7328]

Always enjoy watching your vids as a fellow MA resident. I really want to check out Douglas State Forest some day. Just wanted to comment, since you were so candid in a previous video, but it looks like you are making progress on your health goals. Keep at it!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Where do you like to ride in MA?

[@barryerlandson7328]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I live in the northeast area of the state, so I ride Russell Mill, Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest, Billerica State Forest, Great Brooks Farm and the Middlesex Fells quite a bit. I went out and rode Vietnam a number of years ago but just got back into riding last year and want to head out there again. I plan on getting out to a lot more places next year.

[@HLS6935]

Great info, James. What happens to the sealant when you need to replace the tire once it wears out? Does it take a lot of cleaning to remove the old sealant from the rim? Thanks.

[@mikemcgeehan4321]

Excellent.

[@OnRoadCamp]

Thanks for good info :)

[@dct1]

Great video! I think I’ll give this a go on my affinity wheels.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You deff should. Well worth it

[@BudionoSukses]

after a year what is your conclusion? which one is better in term of riding comfortable and maintenance, tube or tubeless? thank you

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Without question Tubeless is the way to go

[@BudionoSukses]

@@Jamesthebikeguy thank you

[@rediculousman]

I found it super easy to get the Bontrager tires to seal on the Bontrager rims. Has anyone had any luck seating Pirelli cinturato on those rims? I just bought some so I have my fingers crossed.

[@mrbuddha5263]

TLR is such a croc, I've had more tlr rim strips snap and then i'm sol. Rim tape, and a good valve stem/sealant lighter, easier to install on my Pro 37's. This is just bontrager trying to cash in on the tubeless craze.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

lol, okay

[@mrbuddha5263]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I mean there are several other reviewers stating they've had the strips fail. I guess if it's working for you why not. I will say Bontrager has been kind and sent me replacement strips free of charge. I finally got fed up and just did standard tubeless methods and haven't had a single issue since.

[@diawnaja]

You make it looks easier thx

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You got this

[@timmcguire1810]

Bought a Trek Domane late in 2022. Have had a couple of punctures. Not very impressed with Bontrager TLR sealant.

[@robsnow2099]

Awesome thanks bro! I'll check my 2021 Trek Fuel EX 5 wheels when I get home....the tires aren't (so dumb) but this helps A LOT.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Glad to help

[@christianwagner4928]

That was great ! 👍

[@abshassan]

I'm gonna try and do this to my Trek Marlin 8, How do you know what size rim plastic you need?

[@hlobend2111]

What procedure to you recommend to fix a flat on these tires? Thanks. You presentation was excellent.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

No additional procedure. You can just put a tube in should you get a flat that the sealant wont fix on it's own.

[@jd42305]

Note to those putting on very tight tubeless tires: using the valve core remover and a syringe or sealant that comes with injector will obviously be the right move. If I had tried to put on my Continental GP5K on with sealant sloshing around on the last bead, it would've made the nightmare of getting it on more comical. Any other reasonable tube tire should be fine just applying it directly THEN putting it on.

[@nevs4181]

Hi, i currently have dual sport2 and would like to go tubeless, how much those tlr wheels cost and where to order them, im not from Usa

[@MrStingraybernard]

Having trouble finding a 29” tubeless ready rim with quick release skewers that’s on my trek marlin 6 2021 , tried tubeless tires on the stock rims ,wasn’t having it

[@jjay718]

With a road bike where I typically run 100psi what pressure can I run tubeless? How much pressure does it take to set the bead as well?

[@earlybirdadventures]

Nice vid! I did the same procedure with my Aeolus Pro 3V wheels, but after inflation all the air escapes through the small drain holes on the side of the rim 😮. Any tips?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I'm guessing you might not of used the correct tubeless rim strip

[@brianluck84]

I just went tubeless on my trek with tlr bontrager wheels. Didn't know about this strip. Used tape my tires never POP into the bead like I always heard on videos. After research I now know I've got another $40 to spend because trek has to make their shit extra

[@XpeHushka]

my kovee TLR says it has 23mm width but there is not such string "23mm" exists i think 22.5mm should be goin there but not sure.

[@Habz75]

Great video, to the point , Thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

You're welcome!

[@bandajate5163]

Where are these bikes made from

[@PaddleDogC5]

thank God I got to see you not another skinny bike guy.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Lol, well glad I can represent the overweight community!

[@PaddleDogC5]

@@Jamesthebikeguy well let's say just not skinny like me 😆

[@jorgemayen51]

Great video

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks for watching

[@plmn93]

Well that looks easy. Trying to put 29x2.4 XR4 Team Issue tires on my Line 30 wheels with TLR strips was damn near impossible. I broke a tire lever, bent another, and my thumbs are fried. Once it was on I couldn't get the bead to the outer edge so there was no chance of seating. What a mess. I ended up putting a tube in and pumping it up to 60 PSI and have decided to let it sit and hopefully stretch overnight while I search the internet for ideas. This did not help, lol, but thanks anyway.

[@siran1mal865]

I know this post is a few months old, but did you ever get it to seat? Only I'm having the same issue with the 29 x 2.2 XR3 tyres. Got the tyre on but no matter what I try it won't sit in the outer edge and just stays in the middle of the strip.

[@LRF49]

This is cool, but it's not durable. I have Bontrager road wheels. Expect to get new ones after every two sets of new tires. My old DT Swiss wheels with the tape lasted way longer than this. Maintaining tubeless is expensive as it is and this system adds to it.

[@garytash]

Do you really think it is necessary to set up fat tires tubeless? I have been running tubes at 6 PSI (4.5 inch) on my new Farley 5 without any issues. Now, I realize burping the tire is easier to fix than a pinch flat. Thoughts? I do not think they have a rim strip for the Sun Ringle 80 yet.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Highly encouraged. I don't ride a bike that has tubes anymore.

[@chazmuska]

At 5:04 it looks like there's a tube. I'm confused because isn't the whole point to get rid of that thing?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

There is no tube, this is a tubeless setup. I think at that time stamp your getting confused with the inner and outer sidewalls of the tire while I am putting the tire on the rim.

[@Aprentiz]

what does going tubeless do for your bike and riding experience? does it prevent flat tires and stuff like that, possibly a faster ride?

[@andrifsig]

The sealant plugs in the holes on your tire. After I changed to tubeless on my Trek 920 then pinch flats were a thing of the past, I ride with more confidence over rougher terrain. When it is properly working you will probably never notice the small punctures you get as the sealant plugs it up quickly. You will maybe notice larger punctures which takes a bit longer for the sealant to seal properly. When that happens it is best to either keep riding to see if it isn't sealing properly and if that fails, stop and angle the tire so the puncture is at the bottom of the tire so the sealant will pool over the puncture. If all that fails then its time for emergency measures, a small plug you can insert into the hole and a last resort, an inner tube. I have ridden tubeless on my 920 for about 3 years for a few thousand kms over varied terrain and often times fully loaded for touring. Only once have I had to put an inner tube in and that was for a brand new tubeless tire which turned out to be faulty. The cons are that it can sometimes be difficult to mount but that is often varied between manufacturers of both the rim and the tire. It is best to check the pressure before every ride after leaving the bike stationary overnight. Especially after a recent switch to tubeless as the sealant hasn't coated the inside wall of the tire properly. A tubeless tire wont hold the pressure as well as a tubed tire when stationary. The pros are less rolling resistance, lower pressure which means a comfier ride, no more pinch flats and a much better puncture protection. You wont notice all the tiny punctures you will get on a ride until you examine your tire and see dried sealant on your tire. All those are tiny holes which your sealant plugged and you did not notice it while riding.

[@roaming_ren3972]

The tubeless dance lol

[@hourlay9556]

Works well but bowl is really shallow.

[@scottclarke8522]

Will this setup work with Gravel King SS's?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

As long as you use the tubeless-ready versions

[@scottclarke8522]

@@Jamesthebikeguy Thanks - do you have to use the strips, or can you use tubeless tape instead?

[@harrygrimley4352]

Why wouldn't you just buy the tubes that have the sealent in them?

[@danielwang2138]

Does this work on the marlin bikes?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

They don't come with tubeless wheels unfortunately

[@PMQ-lv6zx]

Epic vid. You made this look easy

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks, the Bontrager strip system makes it easy

[@MrOpelracer]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks

[@chadmyles-theclevelandcyclist]

The way you worked that wheel I get the impression you spin signs for a living 😜

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Shhhh... Nobody knows that. 🤣

[@timmcguire1810]

7:35 7:37

[@Pshpshpshpshpshpshpsh]

So does it come pretaped? I’m assuming that’s what tubeless ready means.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Tubeless ready is the rim profile (different from a tubed wheel) The Bontrager system doesnt get tape, they get strips as shown in the video

[@stinkyfungus]

No, it means that the joint (weather pinned or welded) that makes the rim a rim is sealed, and the inside profile conforms with tubeless dimensions.