#Tyre Knowledge #Bicycle
Hookless vs. Hooked Rims
General Information on Hookless

A hookless rim is characterized by its hookless sidewall. Unlike hooked rims, hookless rims do not have a form closure between the tyre bead and the rim flange. On hookless rims, the tyre is only held in place by the tyre bead and the frictional forces between the tyre and the rim flange. On hooked rims, the tyre 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 tyre and rim manufacturer. Tyre and rim combinations, which are not specified on the tyre’s packaging, are not approved by Continental. To ensure secure tyre and rim combinations, it is mandatory to check and follow the guidelines/standards of both the tyre 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 tyre packaging. Continental's mounting guidelines can be found here.
Hookless-compatible Continental bicycle tyres are fully functional without the usage of tyre inserts. However, tyre inserts are advertised to keep the tyre 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:
- 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.
- Follow Continental’s mounting and care instructions for bicycle tires.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 tyres
- Road
- Gravel
- MTB
Tire | Dimension | Max. pressure Bar | psi | Max. inner rim width TSS |
Grand Prix 5000 S TR | 30-584 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 |
32-584 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 | |
25-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 21 | |
28-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 23 | |
30-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 | |
32-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 | |
Grand Prix 5000 AS TR | 25-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 21 |
28-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 23 | |
32-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 | |
35-622 | 4.0 | 58 | 25 | |
Grand Prix 5000 TT TR | 25-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 21 |
28-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 23 | |
AERO 111 | 26-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 22 |
29-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 25 | |
Grand Prix TR | 25-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 21 |
28-622 | 5.0 | 72 | 23 | |
30-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 25 | |
32-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 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)
Tire | Dimension | Max. Pressure hookless bar | PSI | Max. inner rim width TC/TSS |
Xynotal | 60-584 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 |
60-622 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 | |
Kryptotal | 60-559 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 |
60-584 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 | |
60-622 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 | |
65-584 | 2.0 | 29 | 35 | |
65-622 | 2.0 | 36 | 35 | |
Argotal | 60-584 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 |
60-622 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 | |
65-584 | 2.0 | 29 | 35 | |
65-622 | 2.0 | 29 | 35 | |
Hydrotal | 60-584 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 |
60-622 | 2.5 | 36 | 35 | |
Mountain King | 58-559 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 |
ONLY | 58-584 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 |
TR | ShieldWall System | 65-584 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 |
TR | Protection Apex | 70-584 | 2.8 | 40 | 30.5 |
58-622 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 | |
Cross King | 55-559 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
ONLY | 58-559 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 |
TR | ShieldWall System | 55-584 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
TR | Protection Apex | 65-584 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 |
70-584 | 2.8 | 40 | 30.5 | |
55-622 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 | |
58-622 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 | |
65-622 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 | |
Race King | 50-559 | 4.5 | 65 | 30.5 |
ONLY | 55-559 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
TR | ShieldWall System | 50-584 | 4.5 | 65 | 30.5 |
TR | Protection Apex | 55-584 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
50-622 | 4.5 | 65 | 30.5 | |
55-622 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 | |
Trail King | 55-559 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
ONLY | 60-559 | 3.5 | 51 | 30.5 |
TR | ShieldWall System | 55-584 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
TR | Protection Apex | 60-584 | 3.5 | 51 | 30.5 |
65-584 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 | |
70-584 | 2.8 | 51 | 30.5 | |
55-622 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 | |
60-622 | 3.5 | 51 | 30.5 | |
Ruban | 54-584 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 |
ONLY | 58-584 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 |
TR | ShieldWall System | 58-559 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 |
65-584 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 | |
54-622 | 4.0 | 58 | 30.5 | |
58-622 | 3.8 | 55 | 30.5 | |
65-622 | 3.0 | 44 | 30.5 |
Hookless rim = *TSS rim (tubeless straight side)
Hooked rim = **C/TC rim (crotchet/tubeless crotchet)
Further information to compatible tire and rim combinations can be found here