Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
Are road hookless wheels safe?
In this video, SILCA’s Josh Poertner—a former Chairman of the Bicycle Wheel Technical Committee (Aug 2012 – Sep 2013)—explains why he believes hookless road rims offer no improved aerodynamic benefit, carry tubeless blow-off risks, and push the limits of ETRTO safety margins. He also responds to the cycling media coverage following his Marginal Gains Podcast question about whether hookless road rims are considered a “scam.”
Recent discussions within the cycling community have centered around Josh’s claims and question. Drawing on decades of engineering experience and leadership in wheel standards, Josh argues that hookless road rims offer no improved aerodynamic benefit and present potential safety risks—primarily due to a lack of margin for error with tire pressure.
Josh’s claims (road use):
• No Improved Aerodynamic Benefit: No measurable real-world aero gains over hooked rims; in some cases, aero performance is worse.
• Potential Safety Risks: Tire blow-off risk at pressures as low as 78–80 PSI, with narrow safety margins and tire/rim compatibility concerns.
In this video, Josh also covers:
• The tire width vs. rim width rule (Rule of 105, ETRTO guidelines) and why it matters
• The need for at least a 5mm tire-to-internal-width gap for safer hookless road use situations
• Tire sizing inconsistencies between brands that complicate safe fitment decisions by consumers
If you’re researching:
road hookless rim safety • tubeless tire blow-off • hookless vs hooked rims • ETRTO road limits • Rule of 105 aero • road tubeless safety • bicycle rim standards
Watch the full Marginal Gains Podcast episode where Josh made the attention-getting statement here:
silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-43-crr-cda-hookless-the-magnus-effect
Ride safe. Ride smart. — Josh & the team at SILCA
▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
Marginal Gains Podcast episodes where Josh talks hookless: marginalgainspodcast.cc
AJA - #43: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-43-crr-cda-hookless-the-magnus-effect
AJA - #29: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-29-hot-wax-on-a-hot-day
AJA - #35: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-35-hookless-rims-psi-limits-tire-pressure-on-worn-tires-ti-quicklinks-crr-on-wet-roads
dD Rim-Tire Measure Tool:
wheelfanatyk.com/collections/measuring/products/dd-rim-tire-measure-tool
SILCA Tire Pressure Calculator:
silca.cc/pages/pro-tire-pressure-calculator
▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
0:00 – Intro & setup
0:28 – Media reaction
0:45 – Podcast question
1:26 – Rule of 105 & pressures
2:17 – No improved aero benefit
2:42 – Tire fit dangers
3:21 – Industry response
5:10 – Hunt rim design
8:05 – Tire width & safety
11:20 – Blow-off pressures
13:07 – Road hookless concerns
13:38 – Avoiding road hookless work
14:54 – Minimum tire sizes
15:16 – Measuring tool & variability
18:22 – Updated position & advice
19:18 – Gravel/MTB hookless safety
20:32 – Closing & questions
▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel: / @silcaveloSILCA website: silca.cc/SILCA blog: silca.cc/blogs/silcaInstagram: instagram.com/silca_velo/Facebook: facebook.com/SILCAveloLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/silca-velo
▬▬▬▬ ABOUT SILCA ▬▬▬▬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA is renowned for its passion for cycling. Led by cycling industry leader, Josh Poertner, the brand has expanded from the iconic SuperPista floor pump to a full range of high-end cycling tools and gear, collaborating with UCI World Tour teams to enhance cycling performance. SILCA combines tradition with innovation, inspiring cyclists to enjoy both riding and maintenance.
▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Created by SILCA© SILCA
Glitch Transition Stock Videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/glitch-transition
Email icon stock videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/icon
Solar stock videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/solar
Road Stock Videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/road
Glitch Sound Effect by Joseph M from Pixabay
#SILCA #cycling #marginalgains. #tubelesstires. #tirepressure #ruleof105 #roadcycling #gravel #mtb #hooklesstires #wheelaerodynamics #aerodynamics
Have you ridden hookless on the road? Experienced a blow-off? Do you see the benefits or agree with Josh’s concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments.
▬▬▬▬ Video Overview ▬▬▬▬
Are road hookless wheels safe?
In this video, SILCA’s Josh Poertner—a former Chairman of the Bicycle Wheel Technical Committee (Aug 2012 – Sep 2013)—explains why he believes hookless road rims offer no improved aerodynamic benefit, carry tubeless blow-off risks, and push the limits of ETRTO safety margins. He also responds to the cycling media coverage following his Marginal Gains Podcast question about whether hookless road rims are considered a “scam.”
Recent discussions within the cycling community have centered around Josh’s claims and question. Drawing on decades of engineering experience and leadership in wheel standards, Josh argues that hookless road rims offer no improved aerodynamic benefit and present potential safety risks—primarily due to a lack of margin for error with tire pressure.
Josh’s claims (road use):
• No Improved Aerodynamic Benefit: No measurable real-world aero gains over hooked rims; in some cases, aero performance is worse.
• Potential Safety Risks: Tire blow-off risk at pressures as low as 78–80 PSI, with narrow safety margins and tire/rim compatibility concerns.
In this video, Josh also covers:
• The tire width vs. rim width rule (Rule of 105, ETRTO guidelines) and why it matters
• The need for at least a 5mm tire-to-internal-width gap for safer hookless road use situations
• Tire sizing inconsistencies between brands that complicate safe fitment decisions by consumers
If you’re researching:
road hookless rim safety • tubeless tire blow-off • hookless vs hooked rims • ETRTO road limits • Rule of 105 aero • road tubeless safety • bicycle rim standards
Watch the full Marginal Gains Podcast episode where Josh made the attention-getting statement here:
silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-43-crr-cda-hookless-the-magnus-effect
Ride safe. Ride smart. — Josh & the team at SILCA
▬▬▬▬ Links & Resources ▬▬▬▬
Marginal Gains Podcast episodes where Josh talks hookless: marginalgainspodcast.cc
AJA - #43: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-43-crr-cda-hookless-the-magnus-effect
AJA - #29: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-29-hot-wax-on-a-hot-day
AJA - #35: silca.cc/blogs/marginalgains/aja-35-hookless-rims-psi-limits-tire-pressure-on-worn-tires-ti-quicklinks-crr-on-wet-roads
dD Rim-Tire Measure Tool:
wheelfanatyk.com/collections/measuring/products/dd-rim-tire-measure-tool
SILCA Tire Pressure Calculator:
silca.cc/pages/pro-tire-pressure-calculator
▬▬▬▬ Video Chapters ▬▬▬▬
0:00 – Intro & setup
0:28 – Media reaction
0:45 – Podcast question
1:26 – Rule of 105 & pressures
2:17 – No improved aero benefit
2:42 – Tire fit dangers
3:21 – Industry response
5:10 – Hunt rim design
8:05 – Tire width & safety
11:20 – Blow-off pressures
13:07 – Road hookless concerns
13:38 – Avoiding road hookless work
14:54 – Minimum tire sizes
15:16 – Measuring tool & variability
18:22 – Updated position & advice
19:18 – Gravel/MTB hookless safety
20:32 – Closing & questions
▬▬▬▬ Follow for more ▬▬▬▬
Subscribe to the SILCA Velo YouTube Channel: / @silcaveloSILCA website: silca.cc/SILCA blog: silca.cc/blogs/silcaInstagram: instagram.com/silca_velo/Facebook: facebook.com/SILCAveloLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/silca-velo
▬▬▬▬ ABOUT SILCA ▬▬▬▬
Founded in Milan in 1917 and now based in Indianapolis, SILCA is renowned for its passion for cycling. Led by cycling industry leader, Josh Poertner, the brand has expanded from the iconic SuperPista floor pump to a full range of high-end cycling tools and gear, collaborating with UCI World Tour teams to enhance cycling performance. SILCA combines tradition with innovation, inspiring cyclists to enjoy both riding and maintenance.
▬▬▬▬▬ Credits ▬▬▬▬▬
Created by SILCA© SILCA
Glitch Transition Stock Videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/glitch-transition
Email icon stock videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/icon
Solar stock videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/solar
Road Stock Videos by Vecteezy
vecteezy.com/free-videos/road
Glitch Sound Effect by Joseph M from Pixabay
#SILCA #cycling #marginalgains. #tubelesstires. #tirepressure #ruleof105 #roadcycling #gravel #mtb #hooklesstires #wheelaerodynamics #aerodynamics
Have you ridden hookless on the road? Experienced a blow-off? Do you see the benefits or agree with Josh’s concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments.
