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TIRE COMPATIBILITY

CADEX hookless rims are engineered for tubeless tires, and it’s essential to use only tubeless tires that are specifically approved as hookless compatible by the tire manufacturer. You can find this information on the tire packaging as well as the tire manufacturer’s website. All CADEX and Giant tubeless tires are hookless compatible.

Unlike traditional hooked rims, hookless designs depend on an exact dimensional fit—known as tolerance—between the rim bead and the tire bead. The rim bead is the corner of the inner rim wall, while the tire bead is the reinforced edge of the tire that locks against it. When these diameters match precisely, the system creates an airtight seal that holds the tire securely on the rim, even in the event of a puncture.

If the tire bead diameter is too large, it will not seat properly against the rim bead and the tire will be unsafe to use. Likewise, if the bead material is not strong or stiff enough to resist stretching under pressure, it can lose its original diameter and compromise retention.

See below for a list of hookless-compatible tires that we have tested and approved for use with our wheels. Tires that are marked by the manufacturer as hookless-compatible but have not yet been tested by CADEX may still be safe to use; however, in those cases it is essential to follow the tire maker’s installation and inflation instructions exactly.

Brand / ModelTire Size
700x23c700x25c700x28c700x30c700x32c700x33c700x34c700x35c700x40c
CADEX AERO COTTON TUBELESS✓✓
CADEX AERO TUBELESS✓✓
CADEX AR TUBELESS✓
CADEX CLASSICS TUBELESS✓✓✓
CADEX GX TUBELESS✓
CADEX RACE TUBELESS✓✓✓
CADEX RACE GC TUBELESS✓✓
CONTINENTAL GP5000 S TR*✓✓✓
GIANT GAVIA COURSE 0 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT GAVIA COURSE 1 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT FONDO 0 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT FONDO 1 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT RACE 0 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT RACE 1 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT AC 0 TUBELESS✓✓
GIANT AC 1 TUBELESS✓✓
GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 R✓
HUTCHINSON CHALLENGER TL✓✓
IRC FORMULA PRO HL TL RBCCCHALLENGER TL✓✓✓
IRC FORMULA PRO HL TL X-GUARD✓✓✓
IRC FORMULA PRO HL TLR S-LIGHT✓✓✓
MAXXIS ALL TERRANE TR✓
MAXXIS HIGH ROAD TR✓✓
MAXXIS HIGH ROAD SL TR✓
MAXXIS VELOCITA AR TR✓
MICHELIN POWER CUP TL READY✓✓
MICHELIN POWER ROAD TUBELESS✓✓✓
PANARACER AGILEST TLR✓✓
PIRELLI CINTURATO VELO**✓✓✓
SCHWALBE ONE TLE✓✓
SCHWALBE PRO ONE TLE✓✓✓
VELOFLEX CORSA EVO TLR✓
VELOFLEX✓
VITTORIA✓✓✓✓
VITTORIA CORSA PRO✓✓✓

* Please note that the Continental GP5000 S TR tire is apt for use on CADEX hookless WheelSystems and is a different tire from the previous generation Continental GP5000 TL tire. Please also note that as per Continental's specifications on rim inner width, the Continental GP5000 S TR in size 700x25C is apt for use only on the CADEX 42 and CADEX 42 Disc WheelSystems

** Please note that only the Pirelli Cinturato Velo tire with a maximum pressure of 72psi (5 bar) indicated on the tire sidewall is apt for use with CADEX hookless WheelSystems.

The following tires either have failed the CADEX test protocol or are indicated by the brand or manufacturer as being incompatible with hookless rims. They currently do not function properly with CADEX hookless WheelSystems:

Brand / ModelTire Size
700x24c700x25c700x26c700x28c700x30c700x31c700x32c
CONTINENTAL GP5000 TL✗✗✗✗
PIRELLI CINTURATO✗✗
PIRELLI P ZERO RACE TLR SL✗✗✗
PIRELLI P ZERO RACE TLR✗✗✗✗
SPECIALIZED ROUBAIX PRO 2BLISS✗
VELOFLEX CORSA EVO TLR✗
VITTORIA CORSA TLR✗✗
VITTORIA RUBINO PRO TLR✗✗✗
VITTORIA RUBINO PRO TLR✗✗✗

TIRE SIZE

Using the correct size tire for your rim’s inner width, or the inner area between the two rim walls, is also crucial for safety. A tire designed to fit on a narrower rim inner width will not fit correctly on a rim with a wider inner rim width and vice-versa. Always be sure to check the tire manufacturer’s recommendation on appropriate rim width before installing. Please see below for our recommendations:

Rim Inner WidthTire Size
19.4 mm700 x 23c – 700 x 25c
22.4 mm700 x 25c – 700 x 32c
25 mm700 x 28c – 700 x 66c

TIRE PRESSURE

Tire pressure plays a critical role in ride quality, efficiency, and safety. With hookless rims and tubeless tires, riders can take full advantage of lower pressures that improve control and comfort without sacrificing speed. Here’s how to dial it in:

ADJUST FOR THE SURFACE

Traditional wisdom once held that 100 psi (6.9 bar) was the benchmark for road performance. On a smooth track, with skinny hooked rims, that probably felt fast. But we know now that for real-world riding on variable surfaces, hookless rims with wider tires and lower pressures deliver more. Remembering that the maximum tire pressure on a hookless system is 72.5 psi (5 bar), we recommend reducing your inflation by 10 psi (0.7 bar) compared to what you might have run previously. For example, if you typically inflated to 70 psi (4.8 bar), dropping to around 60 psi (5.9 bar) allows the tire to better absorb imperfections, reduce vibration, and maintain momentum. In wet conditions, lowering pressure also increases grip and stability by enlarging the contact patch.

ADJUST FOR TIRE VOLUME

Pressure should always scale with tire size. A setting that works on a 25c tire—say 70 psi (4.8 bar)—will be too high if you move to a 28c. The added air volume of a wider tire requires less pressure to achieve the same supple ride feel and control.

ADJUST FOR RIDER WEIGHT

Tires support the total load of rider, bike, and gear. Heavier riders require more pressure to maintain support; lighter riders require less. A single “magic number” doesn’t apply—pressure needs to be adjusted to match rider weight.

RESPECT THE 72.5 PSI (5 BAR) LIMIT

Every hookless compatible tire clearly indicates a maximum (MAX) pressure of 72.5 psi (5 bar). This is a safety limit that should never be exceeded. Maximum pressure is also not the recommended pressure—it’s simply the upper boundary. Riding at max pressure leads to harsh, inefficient, and potentially unsafe handling.

CHECK BEFORE EVERY RIDE

Tire pressure naturally changes with use, temperature, and time. A quick one-minute check before each ride ensures your tires are set correctly for comfort, control, and safety. Properly inflated tires conform to the road, absorb impacts, and keep you riding smoother and faster.

Use the calculator below for our recommended tire pressure for CADEX hookless WheelSystems and compatible tires.

Please be aware that the pressure recommendation given here is a starting point and that you may need to add or release a little air to find the perfect number for your bike set up and riding conditions

TIRE PRESSURE CALCULATOR FOR HOOKLESS RIMS WITH TUBELESS ROAD TIRES

 

Recommended Tire Pressure

psi / bar

TIPS:

  • Refer to the inflation recommendation calculator to find a starting pressure based on your weight, the size of the tire and inner width of the rim.
  • Go for a ride. If you find the ride quality too harsh or that you are losing traction, lower the tire pressure a few psi.
  • On the other hand, if you find the bike is too sluggish or the tires feel too soft or unresponsive under your weight, add some psi. Pay close attention to how soft your rear wheel and tire feel, especially as you cover rough ground; if you can feel the rim through the tire after hitting a bump, add some psi immediately.
  • Repeat until you find a pressure that offers the perfect balance of rolling performance, comfort, support and grip. Don’t hesitate to experiment within the limits presented here and don’t forget that hookless and tubeless technology allows you to run significantly, even surprisingly, lower tire pressures than you may have been traditionally accustomed to.

SAFETY NOTE:

If you puncture on a ride, you can install an inner tube inside a hookless-approved tubeless tire as a temporary solution to keep riding or get home. However, this should only be a short-term fix—not a permanent setup.

If you choose to run a tire with a maximum pressure above 72.5psi (5 bar), a tire that isn’t on the CADEX approved list or isn’t clearly indicated for use with a hookless rim, or a tire that isn’t the correct size indicated for your rim’s inner width, please understand—you do so at your own risk. In these cases, the tire will not perform as intended with the CADEX hookless WheelSystem, and this could lead to serious safety issues.