ScootRS has introduced their third-generation tubeless rims for 10″-wheel Vespas. The new design improves on earlier designs for Lambretta scooters. As big fans of the convenience of the Vespa split-rim design, 2sb would ask: “Why tubeless?” ScootRS, of course, has an answer:
A rim that requires a tube, as all Vespa rims do, means your tire suddenly and dangerously blows out when punctured. On a tubeless rim, however, you merely have a slow air leak, as on a car. No blowout means no danger.
Older hondas (early Aero 80 125 and some elites) had a 2 piece wheel with a separate hub. They were tubeless. I remember riding for about 5 miles before noticing that my front wheel was flat. It was handling a bit funny the whole way, but it did hold the tire carcass very well and I never felt it blow out. The front and rear rims were still interchangeable so the only issue would be trying to pry off your rusted on old rim from the tire on a standard split rim on the side of the road versus carrying a puncture repair plug kit and pump with tubeless. If they work safely I’d think these would be an improvement. I don’t know about a 160.00 improvement (plus shipping from VN) but maybe not too far off.
Aren’t these new tubeless rims still split rims? They split in half and there’s a huge O-ring that gets squished between the two rims and creates an air tight seal. So, if you were to have a road side flat, in theory you could take the tire off and put a new one on the rims.
Spoke with the guy who runs Lloydy.org this weekend. He said the first generation of tubeless Lambretta rims didn’t fit. They needed to be drilled/filed out to get on the hub. Hopefully the new Vespa ones are dialed in a little better.
From what I can see on the ScootRS site, they are one-piece tubeless rims. (and allegedy improved over former efforts) They say the section that bolts to the hub is thinner because it’s only one layer of metal (where split rims would have two layers), and that a spoon or machine is required to mount the tires (unlike a split rim). I’ve never had a blowout (knock on wood) but I’ve had some flats (as described) with the tube/split rims. I probably wouldn’t bother with them because I like the simplicity of split rims, my bikes are slow, and I don’t ride very aggressively (or frequently), but if you commuted daily on the highway on one of those showoff German sport carbonfiber P210s, they would probably make sense.