More About Tubeless Road

We've mentioned Specialized's new release of their S-Works Turbo Tubeless road tire and we have also discussed Campagnolo's production of their new 2-Way Fit wheels for 2009.

There's now a little more information about both, this time courtesy of Bicycle Retailer:

"The tubeless wheel will use a Campy rim with the exact outer profile of the ALX alloy clincher. What changes is the internal rim shape has been made to conform to the tubeless road standard,” said Josh Knoll, who handles equipment research and development for Specialized. “This shape will still allow riders the ability to run a normal tire and tube set up if they so desire. Options, options, options."

So, Specialized S-Works Turbo Tubeless road tire will be made for them by Hutchinson and their tubeless rims will be made for them by Campagnolo.

2009 Campy Wheels: Two-Way Fit

Two of Campagnolo's high-end aluminum wheelsets, the Shamal Ultra (preliminary gram count ~1440gm) and the Eurus (preliminary gram count ~1550gm) will be compatible with both clincher tires and with tubeless tires. Both of these wheelsets, aside from the changes in the rim section, will remain relatively unchanged from 2008 to 2009.

This does however lead to wonderings about what Shimano & Campagnolo know about road tubeless that the general public has yet to hear about. It seems logical to assume that if both Shimano & Campagnolo are now producing road tubeless wheelsets then the availability of road tubeless tires is bound to increase.