Schwalbe S-one tubeless mini review - they inflate with a hand pump!!

Hi everyone

I don't often post on here but I thought this was something I just had to share.

I've always had a love hate affair with tubeless tyres on my mtb - I like the benefits of running tubeless but always wondered about reinflation issues without having to use a compressor, and the likelihood of me having to carry 2 inner tubes on every ride.  As I don't own a compressor, I feel like I've tried just about every 'ghetto' inflation device going, with limited success.

I recently read a review on here about the S-ones http://road.cc/content/review/173205-schwalbe-s-one-tubeless-tyre

I've often pondered on what it would be like to run tubeless on my roadie, so when I read this, and more importantly, the bit about being 'tubeless easy', curiousity got the better of me and 3 months ago I ordered some from Rose Bikes (everywhere was completely out of stock and I figured a German bike store may get stock in a bit quicker!).  Anyhooo..I got them fitted yesterday and all I can say is Wow!  Just Wow! They were tight to get over the rims but I was surprised when they inflated with just a track pump.  I have NEVER managed to inflate any tyre with a track pump, it has always been a ghetto compressor.  I used the tyre drop pressure thingy as explained in the article to get my pressures just right and did a quick 30 miler last night.  The tyres were absolutely awesome, very comfy indeed and I averaged just under 19mph without really going full gas, for me that was showing no loss of speed whatsoever, especially as they are 30c.

Then I wondered if it was possible to inflate them with a small hand pump (Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini), so I let the air out, broke the bead seal all around, and removed one side of the tyre completely.  Then I reassembled and started pumping up.  To say I was shocked is an understatement - the tyre went up straight away without giving me any grief whatsoever!  It is probably worth noting that my rims are tubeless ready though, don't know how much difference that would make.

I am not affiliated with Schwalbe in any way, the only reason I am posting this is because if anybody has been thinking about tubeless, I would completely recommend these tyres.  Granted, I have only done a quick 30 but am doing The Tour De Broads on Sunday so hopefully I won't be on here Monday morning saying they're a pile of s**te...