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Adding Sealant
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Looking for opinions on adding sealant to tyres when going tubless, through the valve or straight into the tyre before you finish putting it on the rim?
Cheers
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Hi
I recently went tubeless and as a complete novice to the process I followed the video instructions on the Stans No Tubes website
Once you get the tyres to go into the bead without the sealant, deflate, lift a section of the bead off and cup in the sealant. Not only is it easier you know how much you are pouring in.
Gently turn the wheel around so the sealant goes to the bottom and then inflate again.
I had a bit of trouble getting my 29er Crossmark to inflate into the bead, but got it in the end (just a few choice words). I was later informed that as I did it with just a track/floor pump I did a good job.
Depends on your rims (mine were Mavic TN719) and tyres and how easy they will be to inflate into the bead. No problems with the Maxxis Ardent on the front (it went first time, so I thought I had done it wrong). As I said Crossmark was a little bit more difficult, but it was done within 5 minutes. Heard stories of other mates have no end of grief with Giant rims. So it depends.
If you struggle to get the tyre on and it is hard to get off again, the value might be the only option. If you can get the tyre off and on OK take the easier option.
Hope that helps.
Thanks I'll give that a go
Do as bryan8931 describes. This is the way I always do it. It hepls if you have an air compressor handy to quickly seat the bead of the tyre and limit the amount of choice words needed.
I go through the valve stem using one of the single dos stans bottles.
Brian, can that be done with a Presta valve?
Not sure about presta, or if they actually make tubeless valves in presta either. But with a proper tubeless valve (I've only seen frenchy valves in tubeless), the core can be unscrewed, and you can inject the sealant through this hole. Saves unbeading the tyre. Also, using a generic syringe, you can measure the amount that goes in.
It can be done with presta valves as long as the core is removable.
PS. Presta valves are the skinny ones like this http://www.notubes.com/Stans-Standard-Valve-Stem...
Brian, can that be done with a Presta valve?
yes - tubelss valves are unscrewable - some prestas on cheap tubes are not removeable, so whe doing ghetto, need to be careful.
Schraeders not as easy - you need a valve removal tool - $5 at super cheap auto - but can also be used to tighten the valves on your rear shock etc - so worth having.
Go to pharmacy and get some syringes though - much much easier than the little bottle of stans - and far less mess.
Ok thanks for that just figured out how to remove the valve core and it's out.
stans sell a dedicated syringe. you just reminded me I had leant it to a mate and never got it back.
They are pretty easy to use. Depends on your rims though, I had a set of non USTs that I used the rim strips on, but it made the tyres so difficult to fit, I ended up snapping about 3 levers trying to get them on. In the end I cut the tyres off when I changed them. But with mavic UST rims the tyres are alot easier to get on and off so I just pop off a bit of the tyre. Still a bit messy though. The syringe is cleaner, but I guess depends on you as to whether you see it worth the $$.
http://www.amazon.com/No-Tubes-Injector/dp/B002W...
This is what I use (http://www.notubes.com/2-ounce-Tire-Sealant-P154...). I decant from the bigger bottle. I bought the syringe but have never used it.
I have always pumped up my tubeless (with a track pump) so it beads and takes shape, I then deflate and use a tyre lever to pull the tyre back off a little at the bottom. I then pour my cup of sealant in, remove the tyre levers, pop the tyre back on completely and inflate using my track pump. I have had trouble pumping in the past with the track pump but have always managed.
"This is what I use (http://www.notubes.com/2-ounce-Tire-Sealant-P154...). I decant from the bigger bottle. I bought the syringe but have never used it."
Thanks for the advice everyone, I think for my first attempt I'll go through the valve stem and see how that works. Had a bit of trouble getting the bead to set last night using the floor pump, definitely going to buy a compressor.
Cheers
For stubborn tyres make sure you use plenty of soapy water. At home we have pure soap flakes. Put some in a container and add a little bit of water at a time and mix it into a nice consistency (not too runny or think). Then get a clean paint bush (20mm wide works well) and when the tyre is on the rim apply it to the bead. You'll be amazed how how this helps seal and pop on to the rim.
I use pure soap flakes to avoid other things being added.
Cheers
Brian
Are true bitches to get on though, Racing Ralphs in particular, especially if you go for the super flexy sidewall versions. Have to use a compressor to get them on.
I ended up using a CO2 cartridge to get the initial seal, then dropped that from the tyre then used the floor pump, all worked fine from there on in. Once again I've learnt quite a bit from people on this site.
yea ive done that but in my enthusiasm burnt ....errrr....froze the CO2 bottle to my hands......ouch LOL
Yeah I nearly did the same thing
Ok so what I did:
Got the tyres on and used a CO2 cartridge to set the bead. Let the CO2 out then used the floor pump to add air, no worries with the bead setting now, dropped the air, did this twice to make sure all CO2 was out, heard it can react with sealant so didn't want to take any chances.
Removed the valve core and added sealant with a 10m syringe, no real mess to speak of just a bit of blow back out of the valve, but all in all a good way to add sealant I think. Pumped the tyres up to 40psi left them overnight and all good, no leaks and wheels and tyres working well.
So once again thanks for all your help everyone.
Cheers
Geoff