 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Hi guys
I bought a new gravel and mountain bike summer last year (ragley trig and orange p7) had them both set up tubeless and the didn't ride them after start of October, I don't have one of those special track pumps that seals tubeless yet but am happy to purchase one, what do I need to do it the bikes have been left in the shed for 3 to 4 months?
I bought some top up but never needed it, don't think I ever got a puncher I never saw any sealant come though anyway, what's the routine after bikes been stood for months please?
I've just made a diy inflator that works really well.
Ingredients-
X2 presta valves cut from old tubes.
Pop bottle
Length of rubber fuel hose from Halfords
Drill two holes in bottle top that the valves fit through. Push through. I used a little rubber o-ring on each valve, pushed through, then another o-ring, and then the nut.
I also wrapped the bottle in duck tape for added strength.
Put the hose on one valve with the core removed. Put some monkey grips on the hose somewhere, flattening the tube and the other end on your bike valve.
Pump the bottle up with the other valve. I have gone to about 50psi, and then knock the monkey wrench off the tube.
It'll inflate your tyre.
I've done it with the valve core still in and it's worked ok, but you can remove it for more pop.
Works well.
If the bikes have been stood a while, you might want to just check that your tape is all good. Mine had actually lifted on one bike and so I'm having to redo it. They inflator is worth making though.
Are you saying that the tyres have gone down AND the beads have fallen into the middle?
If they've just gone a bit flat, you might get away with going at the track pump like an axe murderer.
It is possible to seat a tyre with a track pump and some aggressive use, I used to do it before I got an Airshot. If you do try to seat a tyre using only a pump, wipe some neat fairy liquid on the beads and make sure they're clean with no lumps of sealant on them.
Since buying an Airshot, however, I've been much less stressed/annoyed during the process. I'm not forced to inject sealant through the valve because I'm bothered about upsetting the bead anymore, for example.
I've got mates who use the 2l pop bottle home-made inflators too - I'd advise wrapping the bottle in duct tape just in case, mind.
In my experience with the right rim and maxis tires then a few leisurely strokes on a track pump will sort you out. Schwalbes and the wrong rim is struggle with anything that moves less air than a Trent 1000, lubed beads and special dances to the tubeless gods.
Hi again all, sorry to clarify they are just a bit soft, still seated I just don't know if I need to top up and how much to top up by, I know the bike shop put 140ml in each tire when they did the trig, 47mm halo tyres 27.5 rim, I don't know if I need to top up or just pump up, only ever used tubes till last year. I'm happy to pay for a fancy pump if I need one, not really worried about that side of thing more, do I need to top up, how do I know if I need to top up and by how much please
No idea what was put in the p7 they said it was muc off same as the trig but the p7 came tubeless so I don't know how much they used (different shop bought online) , again not flat just a bit soft.
Maxxis Minion DHF 2.6 / DHR 2.6 EXO 27.5
A normal track pump will normally sort any reinflation issues. If the bead won't pop, a little soapy water will help it along, but you'll most probably be grand without it.
However, I'd guess that because the the bikes have been sitting in the garage that the sealant has possibly dried out or accumulated, so give it a shake and if it rattles, get out your tyre levers, unseat the bead and check for any Stanimals. I was out of action for a bit and retrieved this fine example not so long ago.
I'd rotate the wheels until the valves are at 6 o'clock, undo the cores, stick a narrow zip tie or matchstick down the valves as a kind of dipstick, if it comes out with sealant, re-install the cores and pump up (assuming the tyre beads are still seated), and go for a ride.
Just shake the bike up and down and you'll hear the sealant sloshing about. Or remove the wheels and shake them.
Another diy inflator user here. But most the time a track pump works fine.
If I don't ride a bike for a while I just spin the wheels every couple of weeks to spread and mix the sealant jnside the tyre.
IME, if they're just a bit soft but seated, just pump them up to normal pressure w track pump and you'll be fine. No need for fancy large volume pump if they are still seated.
My mtb sometimes doesn't get ridden for a couple of months and no issues. Road bike sits on the zwift in the winter and tyres reinflate no probs. Both tubeless
Now you own two tubeless bikes you may as well get the gear you need.
Small air compressor with a tyre adaptor and gauge (comes in handy for cars too) plus a schrader to presta converter.
A litre of sealant. Stan's is fine.
On the sealant bottle it will tell you how much you need for a tyre (~100ml for mtb, maybe 75 for gravel). For a top up you may not need as much.
Hi again all, sorry to clarify they are just a bit soft, still seated I just don’t know if I need to top up and how much to top up by,
You're better off having a little too much sealant in there than too little, so yes, you may as well put a little in imho.
If there is already some in there, then maybe just reduce the amount you put in by a little. It's not absolutely critical. Obviously you don't want to be riding around with tyres full of liquid and you need enough in there, but it isn't a Delia Smith recipe. Just wang a bit in and ride it.