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Having embraced tubeless on my new build and finding it an easy enough process, I have an issue on another bike.
My Levo came set up tubeless with cushcore fitted. Had no issues so far
It's around 7 months old. Rear tyre is losing a bit of pressure over hours, not days, so decided to top up the sealant
I have a syringe, but it will only go as far as the inside of the rim due to the cushcore.
Ok, I'll pop a bit of bead off and pour some in.
Cannot for the life of my get the bead to break at all and the cushcore feels really hard against the tyre (not sure how hard it is when new). What are my options - can I push the syringe through the cushcore, do I need to put some blood sweat and tears into breaking the bead seal, or do I need to cut the bloody thing off?
Not sure how I'd go on if I needed to get the tyre off trail side.
Thanks in advance for answering my possibly stupid questions
Not specific help, but I’ve had issues with rimpact mounting and demounting but all difficulties have been solved after I bought one of those cushcore tyre levers, the one that looks like a sex toy. So much leverage and purchase in the thing, and it’s just helped getting the bead broken and mounting tyres.
Cushcore lever or a DIRT (Direct Insertion & Removal Tool) also known as a spade. Great for breaking the bead. Or the Rim if you're a bit too enthusiastic...
As for getting it off trail side, I've gone with "I'm just going to pretend it'll never happen" 🙂
Cannot for the life of my get the bead to break at all
A mate recently had to cut a nearly new tyre into about 8 or 9 pieces after slashing the sidewall, cushcore fitted and the sealant had basically glued the tyre to the rim. I was thinking of fitting rimpact inserts to my ebike at the time but not a chance I'm putting one into any wheel I own after watching him struggling to get that tyre off
I didn't get any of this nonsense with tubes for over 4 decades 😡😂
Cushcore is brilliant but you need to use a certain technique to fit and remove tyres, that is well worth learning. Watch the official videos to see how it is done. I don't have a bead breaking tool, I use a tyre lever that works ok but I've been meaning to purchase the correct tool. I do find I need a single bead clamp to fit them easily.
As long as you are using a insert compatible tubeless valve, I just remove the valve core and add sealant that way. The insert has channels to allow the sealant to migrate from the tape side to the main volume of the tyre.
I run cushcores in the back wheels of 2 bikes. The only way I've found to break the bead is to take the wheel off, lie it flat on a cement floor and stand 2 feet on the tyres opposite sides of the rim. Then some gentle bouncing.
If they've fitted with the proper cushcore valves though, you should be able to just get sealant in through the valve (core removed) with one of the syringes that screw on to the valve outer (that's what I use for topping up).
Cushcores really are a **** to fit though. Doesn't matter how many youtube videos you watch. For me it's Steel DH levers and lots of velcro straps so I can strap the tyre on to the rim as I work my way around.
Stans Tubeless Sealant Injector | Halfords UK