Posts
438
Joined
9/6/2015
Location
Menifee, CA, USA
Here's the scenario:
My son's 24" mountainbike has pre-taped wheels but uses tubes with Schrader valves. He has gotten some flats and I'm tired of patching and replacing tubes, so I'm going to set him up tubeless. I've only ever used tubeless valves for that, however, and I don't think it will work with the oversize Schrader valve holes.
1) Am I wrong?
2) If I'm right, I'm planning to cut the valve out of an innertube and use it. Planning to Gorilla tape it to the rim and poke a hole. Is there a better way?
I'm picturing a firm rubber washer under new tape (maybe a couple layers around that spot) so you can use a presta valve cinched tight without it pulling through the slightly wider rim hole, then same or a bigger o-ring under the outer collar. now that I've typed that out, seems like a cut tube would have a similar effect
You could cut 20" tubes down, just leaving a rim strip and the valve, no need for tape.
If I'm not mistaken, there are schrader type tubeless valves (First that come to mind are No Flat Joe's). So I guess you could use them directly (I assume it would make for a safer setup than ghetto one ^^)
https://www.alltricks.fr/F-41493-pieces-roues/P-23347-no_flats_joe_s_paire_de_valves_tubeless_schrader_36_mm__auto
Have you tried putting Stan’s in the tubes? Would probably seal thorn holes etc.
I run that setup in my commuter bike and only have to pump up the tires once a month. With normal mtb tubeless have to check pressure every week- might be making more work for yourself with tubeless.
^ I haven't tried that, but I may go that route.
I'm having a hard time getting the bead to seat on these tires. It's like the tire is 1/16th too big for the rim or something. I can grab the wheel assembly by the tire at the top and the rim hangs down below the tire a little bit. Anybody have suggestions on how to get the beads to seat?
You’re positive the rims and tires and tubeless compatible? That’s too much free play.
If the rim isn't made for tubeless you can build up the rim well with tape for tubeless like this: https://theradavist.com/vintage-mtb-tubeless-wheels/
But, I agree that sealant in tubes is the first thing I'd try. If that's insufficient or if pinch flats are the issue can also get extra thick tubes that are much tougher and MUCH heavier.
Made a lot of rims that shouldn’t be tubeless this way. You may want to get something smaller than a 20” tube. So it can be stretched out for a tighter seal. Cut the tube as wide strip with the excess hanging over the wall of the rim. Then mount the tire and seat it. Once it’s seated carefully cut back the excess tube hanging out with a box cutter against the lip of the rim. Saw this trick done back at the windham WC. It has saved me and a lot of friends from running a tube on race weekends. Plus I’ve set up a few 90’s mtb wheels tubeless with this trick.
There are lots of options for valve stems.
Amazon.com : tubeless schrader valve mtb
Stan's does make schrader tubeless valves. Only 32mm in length so depending on the rim it could be short?
https://www.notubes.com/valve-stem-pair-universal-schrader-32mm-10mm-ba…
Talc or baby powder the tube and inside of tire, inflate really slow- use your hands to wiggle the bead into place.
or just inflate to 80psi and wear PPE
Or spice things up by adding sealant before pumping to 80psi. AKA bike bukkake roulette.
Hahahahaa, "Bike bukkake roulette."
Dave, I meant I was having trouble getting the tire to seat while tubeless. The overall diameter of the tire was a little bit loose of the rim. I looked all over the tire carcass but couldn't find "tube type" or "tubeless ready" anywhere. I suspect it is not a tubeless-ready tire.
I ended up going with the sealant inside a new innertube. We'll see how long this lasts. Thanks, friends!
Post a reply to: Hybrid/Ghetto tubeless help