16 in wheel - tube needed?

V

Vic in E-TN

Well-known member
A friend will be getting bias tires for his 16 in wheels. I have friends that are using 16 in tubeless radial tires without tubes for the last few years with good results. Is it possible and safe to use 16 in bias tires without tubes?

Vic
 
I run tubeless but use a layer of silicone seal on the valley of the rim where the spokes are welded. I also run some emery cloth over the lip of the rim where the tire meets it to smooth any bumps.
 
Hey Vic,
Hm, 16 in solid or spoke rims ?
I run 16 in Kelsey Hayes bent spoke wheels, circa 1935. I do use heavy duty tubes from Coker. I also use a 'rim liner' between the tubes and the rims...can't be too safe ,eh :) ! Coker also has this neat little device to place over the stem (inside rim) to protect the stem from chaffing on the sharp stem hole edges...really nice piece that really works.
Now, if using solid wheels, it would depend on overall condition of the rims, but if good condition, probably wouldn't need tube, but I'd run tubes anyway, as cheap insurance.
I've had my setup for about 8/9 years and have lost VERY FEW lbs of air in all those years.
 
I use ghe tubes as a precaution only in case the seal fails on the rim. My thought was why not fail on the side of safety. I consider it money well spent for the extra protection .
Wayne
 
ive been told that with bias tires you need a tube . 1935 ford wheels are sealed for tubless running on radials ........... steve
 
Out of 6 of the 35 ford rims on my car, only 1 doesn't hold air and had to have a tube added & it's a spare (bias ply). The radials on the ground have had no problems holding air.
 
I wouldn't consider running without a tube, even if it were legal here and there is a reason it is illegal.
With no safety ridge in the rim like a modern wheel to stop the tyre rolling away from the rim in a sharp corner or when, say, swerving to avoid something or someone, these rims were never meant to run tyres tubeless. If they do roll, they go flat instantly and that can't be good. Sure, with luck it might not happen but I don't want to trust my life to luck.
I'm with C26Pinelake. A set of tubes is cheap insurance.
 
I don't know about bias ply but I have 4 on a frame that have been up for probably 10 years and have never leaked, no tubes.
 
I agree with some of the others. I would you use a tube just for a precaution.
 
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