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One of my least favourite jobs when it doesn't work - getting fat tyres to seat tubeless.
I just about managed to get a surly knard and Nate to work using the split tube method last year.
Just bought some new tyres - bonty barbegazi 4.7 and some fatty strippers and they won't seat. Got it to go up once with a webbing strap tied around it but only once. They are really baggy on the rim and just flop off, but so did the knard and that did stay up. I'd be worried they would roll off the rim when cornering though.
Rims are robbson rims and definitely not tubeless compatible.
Do I persevere and all will be well, or are they just too baggy for the rim?
Should I buy new rims or new wheels?
Any advice appreciated as I'm about to chuck the things in the bin.
Cheers
have you tried pulling the bead out onto the edge of the rim most of the way round?
If still baggy at that point I'd suggest you need some tape, despite having rimstrips
What are fatty strippers like - is there a ridge to hold the bead ?
Getting them tight on the rim is key. I had some JJ's that just wouldn't sit tight and I spent hours trying to get them tubeless, Nates on the same rimes were tight from the go and went up first time.
I'd run some additional tape around the rims...... And try again......
Gt85 and a match...
I've heard of people using a strip of foam camping mattress to build up the rim bed
Errm just use a tube?
“Errrm just use a tube” probably the most helpful comment so far.......
I struggled with just the fatty strippers (80mm Charge rims, 4.0 Maxxis Mammoths) but built up with gaffer tape then used the fatty stripper and had more success.
Thanks all. The tyres are quite floppy so it's hard to get them to the bead. I've got some foam in there already but might try some more.
As for running tubes, at such low pressures I get pinch flats and they are heavy!
If I get them to seat will they be secure?
Use the tyre lever trick to get as much seated on the rim bead as possible... Lube the bead and rim..
I used yoga mat on my first set, its like camping mat but not quite as thick. Then on my second I used bubble wrap, worked almost as well (more layers as always is probably the solution to making it foolproof, and weighs almost nothing.
Whereabouts are you ? anywhere near Gloucester ?
If so, go see Slam69, they're fat bike gods and got my JJs set up with no bother (for me) at all
Bubble wrap did it for the front. Will try the rear when I get time.
Cheers.