Rene Herse SBH ELs with Pacenti Brevets, TL or TPU?

[jlaw]

Hello 650b,

I built a new wheelset using Pacenti Brevet rims and Sapim Race spokes in anticipation of using them on a new road bike I’ll be getting soon.  I had planned on using Switchback Hill Extralights tubeless.  650bx48. 

However, digging through the RH tech info. I found a 2/6/22 Jan Heine document showing a chart of approved/unapproved rims for use as tubeless with RH tires.  The Brevet was shown as not fully approved for tubeless because RH had measured the Brevet bead seat diameter as being .3mm less (with rim tape) than the ERTO standard of 584.1mm.  .3mm! 

 

https://www.renehersecycles.com/rim-and-tire-standards/

The last thing I want is a blow off at 35mph, but….

I already bought some very cool orange anodized tubeless valve stems with blingy caps!  ;)

Should I use TPU tubes instead - or just be blissfully semi-aware as I fly down that hill tubeless?

Opinions please.

Thank you!

jlaw

[Will Boericke]

No direct experience, but I have read a number of posts on the problematic nature of RH EL casing and tubeless setup / maintenance.  Of course, if a setup is working for you, you are unlikely to post about it, so that may be the reason.  But I feel the same way about TPU.  So, probably wait for someone with useful firsthand experience.

W

[carll...@gmail.com]

I set up Compass-labeled SBH TC ELs tubelss back in 2018.  On WTB rims.  They oozed slightly and then held fine.  My understanding is that newer RH casings have resolved this.  I successfully ran Compass 42mm BSPs tubeless on Pacenti brevet rims.  An extra layer of tape may allay your concerns.

I eventually abandoned tubeless on this one since I didn't want to maintain it during long periods of non-use.

I recently installed TPUs (RH 30-48mm).  The ride seems much improved but it could just be confirmation bias.  Regardless, I enjoy the bike more now than pre-TPU.

I'm sticking with TPU and will add sealant if I stray into goathead country.

Carl Lind

Anacortes WA

[lena...@gmail.com]

I've liked the SBH EL with Pirelli TPU tubes, Cinturato™ Reinforced SmarTUBE | Pirelli Cycling  . The maintenance of TL does not appeal to me. I'd feel apprehensive about using an unapproved combo.

[Jeff Bertolet in Raleigh, NC]

What pressure will you be inflating the tires to? If it is well below the max pressure, I would be ok riding them. I ride BSPs at 30-40 psi on pavement. I found that the BSPs do weep sealant when setting them up tubeless with Orange Seal. After a day or two it stopped and the tire holds air. I thought I saw JH mention somewhere that the EL tire sidewalls become more porous with use. At some point they have difficulty being setup tubeless, and his suggestion was switching to tubes to finish wearing out the tread.

I have been riding BSP EL tubeless for about a year, it is still holding air ok, and the tread is barely worn. The rim they are on has a very worn brake track. I'm a little reluctant to replace the rim, worried I won't be able to set them up tubeless again due to tire age.

On Friday, April 10, 2026 at 1:08:40 AM UTC-4 jlaw wrote:

[K. D.]

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions.  

I’ve decided to get the RH SBH tires in the the ‘standard’ casing.  I’ll mount them tubeless (no sealant) and see how they inflate.  If they pop into place at 35-40 psi I’ll try them with sealant to see how it goes.  

If they pop at less than 30 psi or more than 45 I will either add/subtract a tape layer - or maybe go TPU.  

I’ve run a set of standard casing RH Rat Trap Pass tires with butyl tubes previously and they were quite nice.  The standard RH sidewall, even with a regular tube, is more plush than the available alternatives.  

I did buy a set of the most recent version of the Gravel King Slicks (the TLRs) 650x48 thinking that they might be a decent and reliable substitute for the RH tires.  I have previously run the older TLC version of these GK tires tubeless successfully.  But, when I received the new ‘TLR’ version I found them to be about 20% heavier (580g per tire) and the sidewalls seem even more robust.  I understand that some people want this, but not me, so they went back to the vender. 

Thanks again and ride on!

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