Ian H
Ancient randonneur
I dragged the blue Hallett (700C x 25 tubeless) out for the first time this year. The front tyre (original since 2021, never been off the rim - never punctured) wouldn't inflate, with air hissing past the valve. The tyre was very worn, so I decided to replace it.
The tyre came off with bits of rim tape, which had hardened and broken. The tyre was caked with dried sealant (as expected after 4 years of top-ups). There was liquid sealant in the rim, which took a while to drain out.
My first attempt at re-taping didn't work - it was too cold in the garage. I brought everything inside to warm up. The second attempt was fine.
A new GP5000 was a bastard to get on. I mounted it on the bare rim first to stretch it into shape, then added the tape and the valve and put it on again. The valve bung turned out to be a little too wide to allow the tyre to seat properly. I had to loosen it to let the tyre beads past, then retighten.
Then, finally, popped the tyre on with the airshock; added sealant and spun the wheel, pumped it up, spun again and kneaded the tyre where there was a slight hiss (which stopped). All ready for tomorrow's clubrun.
With all of that, 25mm high- pressures don't work quite as well tubeless. I always have to top them up before a ride whereas the 38s on the other bike hold their 50psi for a couple of weeks. So I'm going to go 'faux-tubeless' after these tyres are finished - https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/how-get-fewer-flat-tyres-your-bike
The tyre came off with bits of rim tape, which had hardened and broken. The tyre was caked with dried sealant (as expected after 4 years of top-ups). There was liquid sealant in the rim, which took a while to drain out.
My first attempt at re-taping didn't work - it was too cold in the garage. I brought everything inside to warm up. The second attempt was fine.
A new GP5000 was a bastard to get on. I mounted it on the bare rim first to stretch it into shape, then added the tape and the valve and put it on again. The valve bung turned out to be a little too wide to allow the tyre to seat properly. I had to loosen it to let the tyre beads past, then retighten.
Then, finally, popped the tyre on with the airshock; added sealant and spun the wheel, pumped it up, spun again and kneaded the tyre where there was a slight hiss (which stopped). All ready for tomorrow's clubrun.
With all of that, 25mm high- pressures don't work quite as well tubeless. I always have to top them up before a ride whereas the 38s on the other bike hold their 50psi for a couple of weeks. So I'm going to go 'faux-tubeless' after these tyres are finished - https://www.cyclinguk.org/cycle-magazine/how-get-fewer-flat-tyres-your-bike
