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#Tire Knowledge #Bicycle

Hookless vs. Hooked Rims

General Information on Hookless

Fast facts

Hookless Checklist

  • Check hookless compatibility of tire and rim
    • Check tire packaging
    • Check hookless compatibility table by rim manufacturer
  • Never exceed maximum inflation pressure and maximum inner rim width!
  • Pay close attention to proper tire mounting and rim guidelines

Hooked vs Hookless rim Hooked vs Hookless rim

A hookless rim is characterized by its hookless sidewall. Unlike hooked rims, hookless rims do not have a form closure between the tire bead and the rim flange. On hookless rims, the tire is only held in place by the tire bead and the frictional forces between the tire and the rim flange. On hooked rims, the tire is also held by the form closure of the tire bead and the rim flange. 

From our point of view, hookless setups seem to be more sensitive to deviations in system tolerances. Customers must follow all guidelines regarding hookless compatibility by tire and rim manufacturer. Tire and rim combinations, which are not specified on the tire’s packaging, are not approved by Continental. To ensure secure tire and rim combinations, it is mandatory to check and follow the guidelines/standards of both the tire and the rim very carefully, especially when using hookless rims. The maximum inflation pressure and permitted inner rim width are crucial for hookless applications.

The maximum inflation pressure for hookless and hooked applications as well as the maximum inner rim width can be found on the tire packaging. Continental's mounting guidelines can be found here.

Hookless-compatible Continental bicycle tires are fully functional without the usage of tire inserts. However, tire inserts are advertised to keep the tire safely on the rim in case of a puncture. Therefore, this technology can be beneficial for tubeless applications on hookless rims.


Continental’s safety recommendations for hookless setups:

  1. Before mounting the tires, check all components (rim, tire, valve, rim tape) for damage. Damaged parts should always be replaced to ensure maximum safety. Please also check the expiration date of your tubeless sealant. If exceeded, exchange your tubeless sealant.
  2. Follow Continental’s mounting and care instructions for bicycle tires.
  3. Always check the hookless compatibility of tire and rim. Therefore, check the tire packaging and the information of your rim provided by the rim manufacturer. 
  4. Always check the maximum inflation pressure and maximum inner rim width of the tire on its packaging. Never exceed the permitted values! Be aware that they differentiate between different models and size designations.
  5. Always check the rim manufacturer’s hookless guidelines. Many rim manufacturers offer own tire / rim compatibility tables. Be aware that the maximum tire pressure and maximum inner rim width stated by rim manufacturer and tire manufacturer for a specific tire size can differentiate. If they do, the lowest value is the one to follow.
    Example:
    • Max. inner rim width by tire manufacturer for a 28-622 tire on a hookless rim is 23mm
    • Max. inner rim width by rim manufacturer for a 28-622 tire on a specific hookless rim is 25mm
    → follow the lower value, in this case 23mm inner rim width

  6. Never exceed the maximum hookless inflation pressure listed for your tire. The inflation pressure should be checked before every ride. Always keep possible temperature differences between where the inflation pressure is checked and where the bike is ridden or stored in mind. With rising temperatures, the pressure inside the tire rises as well and can potentially exceed the maximum inflation pressure. With every 10°C | 18°F rise in temperature, the inflation pressure increases by roughly 0.17 bar | 2.5 PSI! If the actual inflation pressure exceeds the maximum (hookless) pressure, safe usage of the tire cannot be ensured! 

 

For customers facing extreme temperature changes when riding, Continental recommends:

  • Do not inflate the tire to the maximum permitted hookless pressure. Thereby, in rising temperatures, the risk of exceeding the maximum hookless inflation pressure will be reduced.
  • Or choose hooked rims instead of hookless rims. 

At Continental, rider safety is our number one priority. In case of questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Continental customer support.


Hookless compatible Continental bicycle tires

Tire

Dimension

Max. pressure hookless

Bar | psi

Max. inner rim width

TC/TSS

Grand Prix 5000 S TR

30-584

5.0 | 73

25

32-584

5.0 | 73

25

25-622

5.0 | 73

21

28-622

5.0 | 73

25

30-622

5.0 | 73

25

32-622

5.0 | 73

25

Grand Prix 5000 AS TR

25-622

5.0 | 73

21

28-622

5.0 | 73

25

32-622

5.0 | 73

25

35-622

4.5 | 65

25

Grand Prix 5000 TT TR

25-622

5.0 | 73

21

28-622

5.0 | 73

25

AERO 111

26-622

5.0 | 72

22

29-622

5.0 | 72

25

Hookless rim = *TSS rim (tubeless straight side)

Hooked rim = **C/TC rim (crotchet/tubeless crotchet) 

Tire

Dimension

Max. pressure hookless

Bar | psi

Recommended inner rim width

TC/TSS

Terra Trail

ONLY

TR | ShieldWall System

TR | Protection Apex

35-584

5.0 | 73

21

40-584

5.0 | 73

23

47-584

4.5 | 65

25

35-622

5.0 | 73

21

40-622

5.0 | 73

23

45-622

4.5 | 65

25

Terra Speed

35-584

5.0 | 73

21

40-584

5.0 | 73

23

35-622

5.0 | 73

21

40-622

5.0 | 73

23

45-622

4.5 | 65

25

Terra Hardpack

50-584

4.5 | 65

25

50-622

4.5 | 65

25

Hookless rim = *TSS rim (tubeless straight side)

Hooked rim = **C/TC rim (crotchet/tubeless crotchet) 

TireDimensionMax. Pressure hookless
bar | PSI
Max. inner rim width
TC/TSS
Xynotal60-5842.5 | 3635
60-6222.5 | 3635
Kryptotal60-5592.5 | 3635
60-5842.5 | 3635
60-6222.5 | 3635
65-5842.0 | 2935
65-6222.0 | 3635
Argotal60-5842.5 | 3635
60-6222.5 | 3635
65-5842.0 | 2935
65-6222.0 | 2935
Hydrotal60-5842.5 | 3635
60-6222.5 | 3635
Mountain King58-5593.8 | 5530.5
ONLY 58-5843.8 | 5530.5
TR | ShieldWall System 65-5843.0 | 4430.5
TR | Protection Apex70-5842.8 | 4030.5
 58-6223.8 | 5530.5
Cross King55-5594.0 | 5830.5
ONLY 58-5593.8 | 5530.5
TR | ShieldWall System 55-5844.0 | 5830.5
TR | Protection Apex65-5843.0 | 4430.5
 70-5842.8 | 4030.5
 55-6224.0 | 5830.5
 58-6223.8 | 5530.5
 65-6223.0 | 4430.5
Race King50-5594.5 | 6530.5
ONLY 55-5594.0 | 5830.5
TR | ShieldWall System 50-5844.5 | 6530.5
TR | Protection Apex55-5844.0 | 5830.5
 50-6224.5 | 6530.5
 55-5224.0 | 5830.5
Trail King55-5594.0 | 5830.5
ONLY 60-5593.5 | 5130.5
TR | ShieldWall System 55-5844.0 | 5830.5
TR | Protection Apex60-5843.5 | 5130.5
 65-5843.0 | 4430.5
 70-5842.8 | 5130.5
 55-6224.0 | 5830.5
 60-6223.5 | 5130.5
Ruban54-5844.0 | 5830.5
ONLY 58-5843.8 | 5530.5
TR | ShieldWall System 58-5593.8 | 5530.5
 65-5843.0 | 4430.5
 54-6224.0 | 5830.5
 58-6223.8 | 5530.5
 65-6223.0 | 4430.5

Hookless rim = *TSS rim (tubeless straight side)

Hooked rim = **C/TC rim (crotchet/tubeless crotchet)