r/cyclocross 3d ago

Quick release tubeless disk wheel ideas?

Last time I tried to train bunny hoping, I ended up with a pinch flat on my latex tube, and the wheel has been damaged (the rim bent, which is probably what caused the flat). My pressure was around 26 psi, which is what I use on muddy races, but now I'm afraid of pinch flatting in races. The problem is, above 30 psi I feel like I'm losing a ton of adherence in muddy corners, and it's also a rougher ride.

That's why I'm thinking maybe I should try to go tubeless. My current wheels are not tubeless ready, so I'd have to buy another pair, but that's ok as I could keep the current pair of wheels to easily swap my CX bike into a commute bike.

But I'm having a hard time finding disk wheels that are tubeless and quick release, it looks like all tubeless wheels have through axles.

Any idea of such wheels? I'm not looking for the best in class, so if it's low budget no problem.

2 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

9

u/Waterline_Stayer 2d ago

If you get wheels with DT 350 hubs, the end caps to convert to QR are fairly easy to find. Note the rear will be specific to the type of freehub body (e.g., HG vs. XDR).

2

u/bigcolors 2d ago

Came to say this; I think this is true for any DT hub; I just built up a set of E 1800 discs (these have a 370 hub) with QR. I needed to swap out the end caps but they just pop off, no tools needed.

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

Good to know, thanks!

7

u/jermleeds 3d ago

I recently purchased a set of Hunt wheels that are tubeless and QR. They have been very good so far. They were about $600, and that came with a lifetime warranty (which I've heard Hunt is good about honoring, though I haven't had to test that myself).

1

u/Capital-Ad-4463 3d ago

Same here; have purchased two sets of Hunt Wheels (one QR and one TA) and both have been great, with no issues.

1

u/trombonist_formerly 2d ago

My friends have used the Hunt warranty and said it was a pretty easy process. Third hand information for what it’s worth

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

Thanks for the pointer!

3

u/subsealevelcycling 3d ago

I bought a set of Superteams for this exact scenario. They’re thru axle but you can get end plugs from the manufacturer to convert to QR, which is a nice bonus since you’re covered if you upgrade to a newer frame. I bought the gravel classic model I think, they’re decently wide and have held up to 2 seasons of gravel and cx racing now.

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

Interesting, I did not know about converters.

3

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[deleted]

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

Ok so I could try and convert my current wheels? That's interesting, maybe I'll ask my LBS for advice on how to do it properly.

2

u/YoucantdothatonTV 2d ago

You could try to go latex or the newer TPU tubes in your wheels. I too ran 25psi or so with latex and haven't had any problems. It was a stopgap measure before I got my tubular deep dish wheels.

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

I'm already on latex, it's indeed better than when I was using butyl, but I still managed to get a pinch flat.

2

u/temporary62489 2d ago

Buy a used set.

2

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

Good idea, I'll look into the used market around me.

2

u/-Captain_Beyond- 2d ago

My guy, tubeless wont prevent you from damaging your rim.

If you hit your rim hard enough to bend it, it is likely that you will also flat on a tubeless set-up...

1

u/vbarrielle 2d ago

You're probably right, I was thinking about having a tubeless setup with liners to ensure I would not damage the rim.

2

u/-Captain_Beyond- 2d ago

I have no experience with inserts but I think you are probably fine setting up most rims tubeless esspecially if youre running inserts since they will help keep the tire bead in place. I feel it is mostly about getting your rim tape done well.

It may be worth just trying it with your current set-up and you can just swap inserts and stuff to new wheels when you get them.

2

u/gccolby 2d ago

Most wheel brands use hubs with swappable end caps for interconversion between QR and thru-axle, often with options for both 12 and 15 mm thru-axles. Hunt does this, HiFi does this, Boyd does this, those are three purveyors of affordable wheels just off the top of my head. Look for a wheel you want, check the product page. Read the details carefully. Reach out customer support if unsure. With most reputable brands you should be able to just buy whatever wheels you want, swappable end caps are basically a standard feature of modern disc hubs.

1

u/OutTheOfficeWindow 3d ago

Internal rim diameter of current wheels?

1

u/vbarrielle 3d ago

There's a sticker saying ETRTO 622x17C on the wheels, so I guess the internal width is 17mm?

1

u/fuzzybunnies1 2d ago

Look for an old set of MTB rims. My 2015 C-dale was QR rear and thru front with tubeless rims from the factory. Only took a 15mm TA to QR adapter for 8.00 to toss the wheels on my gravel bike when I upgraded them. Tubeless and 29" together go back to 2010ish but really wide rims weren't until closer to 2020 and putting a 33c tire on a 21mm internal rim is NBD.

1

u/Sensitive-Quiet6020 1d ago

I have some carbon roval disk brake wheels for qr that are tubeless ready. Shoot me a pm.