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Tubeless - tips, tricks.. Help!


danielschipper's picture

By danielschipper - Posted on 09 October 2010

I have a 2010 Giant Trance X2 with the stock Mavic 317 Disc rims and Kenda 26x2.1 tyres.

As in a previous post I get flats regularly - particularly at Manly Dam. I've been running highish pressure, around 40psi, and it's been better although after another flat today decided to pull the 'Stans No Tubes' kit off the shelf and give it a go.

I ran a single line of the supplied rim tape, fitted the rubber seal into the rim, then fitted the tyre with lots of soapy water. The tyre is very loose on the rim and when I use a floor pump to try to pump up the tyre it is simply too loose to hold any air.

Considering a number of people on this site have gone tubeless I'm looking for tips and tricks. Have you had this problem, what's worked for you, anyone had success with this rim and tyre combo?

Thanks

Damo5's picture

I have same bike & changed over resently with no dramas ,not sure if it makes a difference but I put a 2.35 on the front & a 2.25 on the back .Did u pour a bottle of sealant in to the tyre ? The air valve needs to fit in properly to seal ,check the bass is in the corect orientation .

hawkeye's picture

My first go was with a couple of non-tubeless Maxxis tyres, using the servo compressor at Woollies Beacon Hill.

You'll need a Presta to Schrader adapter methinks. The ones I got from DY Bike Hub are better as they're shorter, allowing the little post thingy in the compressor head to depress the valve stem enough to let some air in.

If I'd tried it with a floor pump I'd still be running tubes.

If you're stuck,
Give us a yell.
I've got a compressor
That does the job well.

Hey I can pen a rhyme like Andy Bloot. Not nearly as funny though. Sticking out tongue Actually that wasn't funny. At All. I'll give up now. Sad

Jason P's picture

Assuming the valves you are using have removable cores, pull them out.

This way you can get better airflow into the tyre which should counteract the bead not fitting and this will sort of stretch/take up the slack in the tyre to seal the bead. Have you tried tapping around the circumference of the tyre as you do this?

Once you get the bead to seat, pull the compressor off the valve stem, cover with your finger, then quickly screw the valve back in.

I've found some of the more race-oriented Kendas such as Small Block 8 and Karmas to be the worst tyres for pin prick holes in the sidewalls. They take a fair bit of sealant, shaking and patience to stop them going flat.

Flynny's picture

If all else fail take it down to your local tyre center and ask kindly if they'd mind giving it a blast with their compressor. I've had to do this with a couple of customers wheels where getting the tyre to seat was proving impossible with floor pump or little compressor.

Another tip is to make sure the tyre bead hasn't got and folds in it. I try to put a tube in over night and leave it somewhere warm before trying the sealant.

Also with the soapy water, the thicker the better so more soap less water. Lux flakes seem to work the best for me

Noel's picture

They look like Nevegals in the photo, you should be fine once you get a compressor onto it.

Maybe get your shop to do it, and while you are there buy an adaptor so you can do it at the service station next time yourself.

When taking photos of your bike, or leaning it against something (including the ground) the rear derailleur side is your bikes "good side". You want to see it in photos, and good habit to always lay it down or against something "derailleur up".

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