My First Retro MTB: 1996 Kona Hahanna

[moonlite]

Great bike to get you hooked and I enjoyed following its evolution in real-world conditions. London commuting is its own version of 'extreme' and a great proving ground for any bike (not to mention developing excellent handling skills). Nippy 26" bikes with rigid forks make great urban assault machines!

 

[Frankenorange]

Great to see the evolution of the bike.

Regarding tubeless; it sounds good on paper and can work out BUT it can also be a messy faff that doesn't work out at all well. It all very much depends on what sealant you use, what tyre you use, and what kind of injury the tyre gets etc.

I have toyed with the idea of going tubeless but have read too many stories of failure that i decide to stick with Vittoria Competition Latex tubes for my on and off road use. Combined with lightweight tyres the ride feels good and lively. I take spare tubes and patch kit in a bag which you should have with you, anyway, if you can't get a tubeless tyre to seal.

If you do go down the tubeless route then copy a setup that is proven to work to save expense and sadness. Probably safest to copy the whole combo i.e rim, valve, rim tape, tyre and sealant.

 

[originsoundd]

Great bike to get you hooked and I enjoyed following its evolution in real-world conditions. London commuting is its own version of 'extreme' and a great proving ground for any bike (not to mention developing excellent handling skills). Nippy 26" bikes with rigid forks make great urban assault machines!

Indeed! I don't miss the bottom pain from riding on cracked pavement on 25mm tires!

 

[originsoundd]

Great to see the evolution of the bike.

Regarding tubeless; it sounds good on paper and can work out BUT it can also be a messy faff that doesn't work out at all well. It all very much depends on what sealant you use, what tyre you use, and what kind of injury the tyre gets etc.

I have toyed with the idea of going tubeless but have read too many stories of failure that i decide to stick with Vittoria Competition Latex tubes for my on and off road use. Combined with lightweight tyres the ride feels good and lively. I take spare tubes and patch kit in a bag which you should have with you, anyway, if you can't get a tubeless tyre to seal.

If you do go down the tubeless route then copy a setup that is proven to work to save expense and sadness. Probably safest to copy the whole combo i.e rim, valve, rim tape, tyre and sealant.

Interesting. Lightweight tubes does seem like a much easier option. It's interesting how tubeless is now the standard for modern bikes yet its so much more faff.

If you've ridden tubeless is the difference night and day? Or is it just an even tradeoff between performance and practicality.