Olympic Steeltrek Tyres

**Chris078** · 19th August 2015, 07:46 AM

As you know, rubber ages. As it gets older, it dries out. This makes is weaker, more likely to suffer catastrophic failure under load, sidewall punctures, and sliding in wet conditions.

The generally quoted rule of thumb is replace if they are more than 6 years old regardless of the tread depth.

The thing to remember also is that the Steel Rim that is fitted to Perenties is suitable ONLY for tubed tyres which are quite hard to find.
There is a debate about fitting tubeless tyres to the rims; quite frankly I don't think it's worth the risk (tubeless rims have a proper safety bead on the rim to let the tyre seat properly, without it the tyre can come off the rim under the right(wrong) conditions.
Realistically, you need to get new rims to fit tubeless tyres.
the Steel Rims off a Discovery 1 will fit or you can get a set of Dynamic rims for around $500 (you need new wheel nuts with these as the old ones have the wrong taper)
So first change, budget for about $1600-1700 for a set of 5 tyres/rims/wheel nuts + balance and alignment.
After that you can look forward to cheaper tyres (or at least not paying $50 for a quality inner tube) and a far larger range of Tubeless tyres to choose from, rather than being restricted to Tubed tyres which are rare and getting rarer!

**atwood** · 19th August 2015, 08:40 PM

I also have Steeltreks - old, and they work every day on rough terrain - gravel and potholes are the norm. I have replaced two tubes and patched another two as a result of punctures. There's still plenty of tread, but I have no desire to explode one.
I have stumbled on a brand new set of Dunlop road grippers in the appropriate size - they were delivered on a new LandCruiser Workmate and immediately discarded. Apologies if this is a silly question - but can't I put tubes in them and fit them on the Perentie wheels?

**Mick_Marsh** · 19th August 2015, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by atwood

I have stumbled on a brand new set of Dunlop road grippers in the appropriate size - they were delivered on a new LandCruiser Workmate and immediately discarded. Apologies if this is a silly question - but can't I put tubes in them and fit them on the Perentie wheels?

Short answer, yes.

The Michelins as mentioned in this thread are tubeless. They run tubes when fitted on the Perenties.

**JDNSW** · 19th August 2015, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by atwood

I also have Steeltreks - old, and they work every day on rough terrain - gravel and potholes are the norm. I have replaced two tubes and patched another two as a result of punctures. There's still plenty of tread, but I have no desire to explode one.
I have stumbled on a brand new set of Dunlop road grippers in the appropriate size - they were delivered on a new LandCruiser Workmate and immediately discarded. Apologies if this is a silly question - but can't I put tubes in them and fit them on the Perentie wheels?

Probably - the problem with a lot of tubeless tyres is that they are not smooth inside, leading to holes rubbed in tubes, although plenty of French chalk helps.

John

**DWCamo** · 19th August 2015, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by atwood

I also have Steeltreks - old, and they work every day on rough terrain - gravel and potholes are the norm. I have replaced two tubes and patched another two as a result of punctures. There's still plenty of tread, but I have no desire to explode one.
I have stumbled on a brand new set of Dunlop road grippers in the appropriate size - they were delivered on a new LandCruiser Workmate and immediately discarded. Apologies if this is a silly question - but can't I put tubes in them and fit them on the Perentie wheels?

I have Dunlop road grippers as my rear tyres and they're a 'tube type' tyre. At least that's what's written on the tyre wall. I presume they're smooth inside? They've been great so far. For peace of mind I'd like to soon purchase a couple more to replace the Steel Treks on the front.

**Chris078** · 20th August 2015, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by DWCamo

I have Dunlop road grippers as my rear tyres and they're a 'tube type' tyre. At least that's what's written on the tyre wall. I presume they're smooth inside? They've been great so far. For peace of mind I'd like to soon purchase a couple more to replace the Steel Treks on the front.

Yep. tubed tyres are specifically manufactured for having a tube inside them and are much smoother inside than a tubeless tyre.

You can put a tube inside a tubeless tyre, but these tyres are much rougher inside them than a tubed tyre you can expect to flats where the tyre has rubbed through the tube, especially when running deflated (such as on sand).

Frankly, unless you really want to keep the genuine look, new rims are the way to go. You can pick up 16x7 Dynamic steel rims for around $100. Pretty much the same cost as buying a tube and paying the extra for a proper tubed tyre.

**JDNSW** · 20th August 2015, 10:45 AM

But a bit wide unless you want to fit wider tyres, perhaps not such a bright idea if you have not fitted power steering.

John

**BadCo.** · 20th August 2015, 02:43 PM

Chuck a tubeless on a tubed rim, who cares.

Have you seen the 'safety bead' Chris? I'm sure you have. I laughed the first time I saw it, it hardly looks worth mentioning haha.

**Mick_Marsh** · 20th August 2015, 10:20 PM

Tubeless tyres appeared around 1950.
Safety rims were introduced to Australia in about 1970.
In the time between, tubeless tyres were fitted on j-mould rims. One wonders how we survived, but we did.
Whenever I get a flat tyre with my tube type tyre on my j-mould rim, I usually have to battle the tyre fitter who advises me I would not be having this problem if I ditched the tube and fitted the tyre to the rim with a snap-in valve stem.

**Blknight.aus** · 20th August 2015, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by BadCo.

Chuck a tubeless on a tubed rim, who cares.

Have you seen the 'safety bead' Chris? I'm sure you have. I laughed the first time I saw it, it hardly looks worth mentioning haha.

Just like the plastic safety cover on a blasting cap, it hardly looks worth mentioning either....

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