Specialized Rockhopper Upgrades // Budget Tubeless Conversion

The 2021 Specialized Rockhopper upgrade series continues! First up, the Rockhopper gets tubeless'd. Converting to tubeless tires is great way to reduce puncture flats and to improve the ride feel. Find out how to convert your non tubeless rims to be compatible with tubeless tires in this how to video.
This is a non tubeless rim converted to tubeless using tubeless rim tape. Also, the Schraeder valve hole is converted to a Presta valve with no modification or adapters.
Parts used:
Hutchinson Kraken 29 x 2.30 Tires: amzn.to/3xYOpX1
Stan's Sealant: amzn.to/3o7h1cf
Tubeless Tape (30mm): amzn.to/3nZe9hz
Tubeless Valves: amzn.to/3xXmVRP
KOM Cycling Tubeless Sealant Injector: amzn.to/3euU3bV
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The Whole Upgrade Series:
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Square Taper to Hollowtech II BB / Crankset Conversion: • HOW TO: Square Taper t...
Box Components 1x Drivetrain Conversion: • Box Components Prime 9...
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The Whole Playlist: • 2021 Rockhopper Budget...

Пікірлер: 70

  • @Anachkin_Adventures
    @Anachkin_Adventures2 жыл бұрын

    Man, such a great video! Very informative, great explanation. No questions left after watching it, except for "Why are there so little views?!"

  • @colemcelfresh2
    @colemcelfresh23 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, easiest explanation I’ve found yet

  • @PatrickFortunatoJr
    @PatrickFortunatoJr Жыл бұрын

    I went tubeless a few months ago, and the difference was amazing. I had stock Specialized tires, the Butcher and the Eliminator. When I went tubeless I had so much more grip. That said, it still was not great. A few days ago I converted to Maxxis. I put the Assegai on the front with MaxxGrip and DHR II MaxxTerra on the rear. I don't know why I waited so long for this. I absolutely love this setup!

  • @LookitsRiley

    @LookitsRiley

    11 ай бұрын

    Were you able to place wider tires on the stock wheels?

  • @PatrickFortunatoJr

    @PatrickFortunatoJr

    11 ай бұрын

    @@LookitsRiley yes... The stock width was 2.3" and I went with 2.5" on the front and 2.4" on the back

  • @There_N_back_Again
    @There_N_back_Again3 жыл бұрын

    Newly subscribed. I just purchased the 2021, Rock Hopper Expert, and looking for good upgrade suggestions. This channel seems like a good place to start.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes! Will have several upgrade videos in the weeks to come

  • @LoranBriggs
    @LoranBriggs Жыл бұрын

    Floor pump tip: You can always set the bead with a floor pump. If you're having issues there's two ways to fix it: 1. Second layer of rim tape, creates a tighter seal between rim and tire. 2. Setup tubed and optionally leave overnight to press the tape against the rim. Then break the bead on ONE side of the tire only, remove the tube and reset tire. With one side being completely set you will have much better luck with a floor pump. Expect this to be a pain in the ass, but it's doable and works if your on a budget.

  • @There_N_back_Again
    @There_N_back_Again3 жыл бұрын

    Okay, step 1 done, I went tubeless. 👍 Waiting for the next video

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right on. They’ll all be spaced by a week. New vids always post Sunday morning

  • @teopini
    @teopini3 жыл бұрын

    Dude, your videos look great! Love the dark looks and the background.

  • @plc_preston2420
    @plc_preston24203 жыл бұрын

    I’m early and new to the channel but thank you for all this helpful info

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, thanks!

  • @adriancabrera3014
    @adriancabrera30142 жыл бұрын

    Those tyres look awesome you must upload a review

  • @travisoverly1432
    @travisoverly14323 ай бұрын

    About to do this conversation on my rockhopper.

  • @MrMudMaker
    @MrMudMaker3 жыл бұрын

    I've been wanting to go tubeless but couldn't bring myself to spend half as much as my bike cost on new rims. Seeing this worked for you gives me motivation to try it out on my hardtail xc converted gravel bike! Thanks for the content.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right on! Thx for watching. Let us know how it goes.

  • @LVang152
    @LVang152 Жыл бұрын

    I have been thinking about doing it to my 2022, but I put gravel friendly tires for the pavement ride (occasionally gravel).

  • @edjr2572
    @edjr2572 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video.. I am wondering if this would work on a regular Rockhopper... I am new to this so not sure if I should measure the rim which I did not see you did in this video

  • @rpower1401
    @rpower14012 жыл бұрын

    Great video. You may wish to consider buying a quite compressor. I have one from Canadian Tire, you're speaking louder than the compressor ever would be during use.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    Dang. Will look into it

  • @emilioxrocha
    @emilioxrocha Жыл бұрын

    How did this hold up over time? My wife has the same exact bike (different color lol) and have been watching your videos over it. Makes me really want to tubeless on it! I do have a spare set of tubeless presta valves and she is rocking Maxxis TR tires on it already (currently with tubes) 😅😂

  • @7448Productions
    @7448Productions Жыл бұрын

    Man, I watched this video about 6 months ago and just today I fitted tubeless tyres and valves. I wish I'd watched this again as I assumed 'tubeless ready' meant I didn't have to change out the tape.. leaking everywhere!

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    Жыл бұрын

    😫 happens to everyone!

  • @adamuhlig
    @adamuhlig3 жыл бұрын

    Quick question for you, I have the 2020 specialized rockhopper medium frame with 29ers. Im also looking to go tubeless and upgrade tires to something with better tread. Im thinking I would like to go up to a 2.5 width tire and use something like a Maxxis DHR tire which seems to have a flatter shaped tire and bigger knobs on the outside of the tread pattern. It seems there won’t be an issue running a 2.5 tire on the skinnier stock rockhopper rim, but im concerned the back of the rockhopper frame will not have enough width for the back tire to clear. Do you have any resources you could point me to or knowledge about whether or not running a slightly wider tire would work on the rockhopper? And btw, Thanks for the content and this series specifically… very useful info and well produced.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    A bit wider would be ok I think. Especially if you don’t need a lot of mud clearance. The DHR II is the gold standard for mtb tires and the 2.4 would be a great upgrade

  • @hectorrivera5803
    @hectorrivera58032 жыл бұрын

    Can I use the exact same specialized stock tire in order to convert tubeless ? I know that they aren’t Tubeless ready but, maybe will it do the trick ?

  • @dimitrisstylianos8970
    @dimitrisstylianos8970 Жыл бұрын

    i have the same bike and i want to go tubeless to, do i have to remain on the same rims?

  • @wildman9364
    @wildman93643 жыл бұрын

    I already had tubeless tire and tubeless rims with tape so I just needed valves and sealant

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nice! Easiest conversion. The rockhopper sports don’t come with tubeless ready rims, so we had to convert

  • @fuentescarlos21
    @fuentescarlos213 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your detailed information. I’m a beginner rider looking for a bike and at my local shop in temple city I was told they’ll be getting this specialized brand i a couple of weeks. I like the modifications you made on this bike but I don’t know if I’m confident enough to make them my self.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    That’s alright. Takes time. Just ride for now and upgrade as you see fit

  • @HEYDJ
    @HEYDJ2 жыл бұрын

    I want to follow this tutorial but my stock tires are stuck to the rims. I've changed tires on other bikes with no problem before. Any tips?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    Try really pushing the bead toward the center channel of the rim. Once you get the bead separated in one spot the rest will follow pretty easily

  • @ricardolucas9507
    @ricardolucas9507 Жыл бұрын

    Esse aro é próprio pra tubeles

  • @JifferRiffic
    @JifferRiffic3 жыл бұрын

    i just ordred this exact setup. im a noob, got the same valve stem as you, not sure what it was called but do i need some specail tool on my air compressor to like fill this type of stem? if you could link me. all i have is a 1gallon air compressor no bike pump. Thanks in advanced. I dont know much about bikes just learning.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    You'll need a head that can inflate a Preste valve. If it's not bike-specific, it's likely a Schraeder compressor head. In that case, you can use a presta valve adapter (a couple bucks) that'll screw onto your presta valve and allow you to inflate it with any standard Schraeder pump (like at a gas station). For setting the bead, you'll also want to remove the presta valve core to maximize volumetric flowrate into the tire.

  • @keenancooper27
    @keenancooper272 жыл бұрын

    Watched this series like 8 times over. Ended up actually buying a used Rockhopper sport 29. The guy I bought it from installed tubeless ready tires with tubes. My local bike shop told me that doing what you did here would never seal up right, how has this set up been over the last year?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    Still tubeless on the same sealant. Haven’t touched it since and we use the bike daily

  • @keenancooper27

    @keenancooper27

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good to hear, I'll be attempting the conversion soon then. This video series has been my favourite to watch. Helped me pull the trigger on buying the bike. And it really is a great video series. Good narration and camera work. Straight and to the point without being too short. Keep up the great work.

  • @bicross87
    @bicross873 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for those info, buddy ! I just converted, and made the taping of the rim with gorilla type tape, as the rim tape i ordered was just pure shit... But i got the width and the way to apply the tape pretty wrong compared to your setup...For the moment, it's holding air, but defleating slowly, I will have to redo that !

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nice! All a learning process

  • @LookitsRiley
    @LookitsRiley11 ай бұрын

    Question: Does this base model specialized rock hopper already come with tubeless ready wheels? Ie: spokes countersunk & ready for tape

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    11 ай бұрын

    I can almost guarantee it's not a single wall rim (protruding spoke nipple heads). It's certainly going to be double walled, and ready for tubeless tape.

  • @LookitsRiley

    @LookitsRiley

    11 ай бұрын

    I have the exact same bicycle and whenever i bring up the idea of laying tape and switching tires and nipples my local bike shop people just laugh and say that i need a whole new wheel entirely without even looking. I have a 2023 size M 29" rock hopper@@TheBikeSauce

  • @do-ineedtosay723
    @do-ineedtosay723 Жыл бұрын

    3:50 into the video: LOL. "'...Don't aggravate your OCD' standpoint." *

  • @estebanmiranda8756
    @estebanmiranda87562 жыл бұрын

    Hi, is there any chance ms to add a pannier rack at the back of this rockhopper 29?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    sure, no problem

  • @estebanmiranda8756

    @estebanmiranda8756

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheBikeSauce what panier could be recommendable?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    So many to choose from! Depends on what you need

  • @mle_ko
    @mle_ko3 жыл бұрын

    👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

  • @migs9003
    @migs9003 Жыл бұрын

    Dumb one: are those the stock 25mm alloys that come with the Rockhopper? Do all the grades of Rockhoppers come with those rims?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    Жыл бұрын

    These are stock, but I’m not sure if all the rockhopper get the same wheels

  • @Vatese

    @Vatese

    Жыл бұрын

    @@TheBikeSauce sorry! realised you said everything at the beginning of the video. Seems I skipped that part, my bad! Thank you so much for the great content! Got the lowest end Rockhopper 29 recently and planning to make it tubeless with those non-tubeless "Specialized alloy" schrader rims. Fingers crossed it works with some Vittoria Barzo tyres I found for half price.

  • @NeedChocyMilk
    @NeedChocyMilk8 ай бұрын

    Air tightness, i get you i see what your saying😂

  • @RagingChicken
    @RagingChicken2 жыл бұрын

    What size are the stock Schrader valves?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    Schrader valves are all standard

  • @RagingChicken

    @RagingChicken

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheBikeSauce what size would the perfect size Presta valves be for this conversion then?

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    Ahh, depends on the depth of your rims. Measure the rim depth and add about 25mm. I think 44mm is a standard size that should work well unless you have deeper section wheels

  • @RagingChicken

    @RagingChicken

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheBikeSauce ill get the 44mm, i have the same bike as in this video. thank you

  • @Hubertalcala
    @Hubertalcala3 жыл бұрын

    When you go tubeless, can you go back to a tubed setup? Wouldn’t the liquid sealant mess up the wheels? Awesome video! Be safe on you rides!

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Yes, you can revert to tubes very easily if necessary. Just clean out the sealant and throw in a tube

  • @LOLL1234567890123456

    @LOLL1234567890123456

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's also common to carry a tube with you on trails in case of a sidewall tear or bead just not wanting to pop back on if the tyre loses pressure

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Right. All part of the every ride carry

  • @davet003.5

    @davet003.5

    3 жыл бұрын

    I suggest a Tubolito as a spare. They are super compact and light.

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    3 жыл бұрын

    Have yet to test one out, but it’s on the list

  • @NikToidze
    @NikToidze Жыл бұрын

    bro tb fair the bike cost 800 bucks, but these upgrades are like 300$, that's still quite a lot

  • @Volkmannx
    @Volkmannx2 жыл бұрын

    You sure about "any rim will do"? I'm sceptical. 🤔

  • @TheBikeSauce

    @TheBikeSauce

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve seen some pretty sketchy stuff on the KZreads. Not recommending you try it on all rims, but it’s the tire that defines the ‘tubelessability’ more than the rim

  • @Volkmannx

    @Volkmannx

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@TheBikeSauce I see, thanks!