The air will often come out at the stem because the tape seals the rest of the tire pretty well. I patch my Tubulars but others have used https://www.tirealert.com/

IME, sealant doesn't work as well as a patch. I have used it on the road or before a $$$ century length event but not on a leak discovered at home.

Classtime thanks for these tips and the link to Tire Alert.

This was actually my first time to ever use a sealant on a new, unridden tire (I've used Vittoria Pitstop a couple of times while out on a ride, with mixed results).

The tire held air when I pre-stretched it prior to gluing and adding the sealant. I'm assuming the leak is at the valve stem because that is the only part of tube which has seen any stress when I inflated the tire.

I did email Excel Sports (where I purchased the tires) and have had no response so far. I plan to email Vittoria directly if Excel Sports doesn't offer me anything.

Since I only paid $39 (tire+shipping+tax) for a tire which has a retail price of $130 (before shipping and tax), I will still be ahead if I send it to Tire Alert and have them replace the tube for another $39 (their price + my shipping). Or I might just try replacing or patching the tube myself.

Excel Sports has some good sale prices on tubular tires. Primarily Continental and Vittoria. Narrow Vittorias have the best price.

With 89 pages and over 2200 posts, even with a "search this thread" I was not able to find the info so here is the question.
Do you sand paper the rim before applying glue? I use Mastik from Vittoria and the instructions state to sand the rim surface the glue will be applied to. First time reading the directions!
New rims and new tires. 1 layer on each with a second layer on the rim after 24 hours. Apply then cures in another 24. I can do that!

Yes SJX426, I do roughen up the rim a little bit with sandpaper before applying glue. Then wipe sandpaper dust off with dry rag. Tubulars Rule!

I never have. Have never had problems. I suppose, in theory, that sanding the rims might marginally increase surface area for the glue. More probably, it would remove any residue that would reduce adhesion.

OK well what grit, 100?

It is very difficult to remove glue from un-sanded rims. I would rather not make it more difficult. You do want to remove all oils and dirt--I use acetone a clean rag and go around a few times.

As an update to my Lotus Super Pro Aero and tubular adventures:

So far Excel Sports have been very helpful. Several quick email exchanges and Tyler in Customer Services told me the bad Vittoria Corsa Speed G+ will be a warranty exchange. I had to pay the $13+ to send it back (Priority plus insurance). Hopefully I'll have a replacement in short order.

In the meantime I've ridden the Lotus with the Roval wheelset and the Vittoria Rallys twice. Since this is my first time to ride Rallys, and the last time I was on other tubulars (Schwalbe One) was six months ago, I can only compare the Rallys to the 27 X 1 & 1/8 Vittoria Zaffarios on my Schwinn Super Sport.

Comparing the Super Sport to the Super Pro Aero is like comparing a Lincoln to a Mustang, or a Buick to a Camaro. The weight difference is probably 6-7 pounds and the wheel weight alone is probably 1/2 to 1 pound greater (just guessing here).

All I can say is the ride on the Lotus is so much faster, the handling quicker, and the frame so much stiffer. According to the bike app, I'm riding the same route about 1.5 mph faster on average (about 25 miles). In some sections I'm averaging 2-2.5 mph faster. Is it the aero tubing and the Dura Ace AX gear? Or is it the weight difference? My bet is on the weight difference and the Rallys.

When I eventually try the significantly more expensive and lighter Corsa Speed G+s on the DA-AX Faimme rims, I'll see if average speed changes.

I've found a wire wheel on a bench grinder makes short work of this, less than a minute per wheel, no solvents or scrubbing needed.

A Dremel with a brass wire wheel attachment also works quickly and efficiently:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c87f4ca4b7.png

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5d13a9755d.png

Note there was no anodizing loss; I used an adjustable-speed Dremel at medium speed:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...711b72779c.png

DD

I tried cleaning my rims with a dremel/brass wheel and the glue got clogged up in the brass. Kept having to stop and pick it out until it finally got clogged up beyond repair. That was a fail.

As we all like to say, YMMV.

My two cents worth of advice: Be careful with the wire wheels due to the wheel flinging loose wire "missiles" in every direction. Wear good eye, even full-face protection. Be aware that the tiny "missiles" from the Dremel models can end up on the floor in "stealth mode," waiting to attack bare feet, weeks, even months later, somehow avoiding detection, defensive sweeps, and proactive vacuuming.

I know this because Mrs. PB got one lodged in her foot (it was painful, and she was not happy), after I had sworn off using them six months prior. I've even found the wires embedded in my work shirts and socks after running them through the wash. I feel fortunate to have never had one in my eye.

I used a wire brush drill attachment outdoors... good point about the eye protection though - always.
I imagine this wouldn't work so well if the glue is still gooey, but the dried up hard stuff comes off pretty well.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e7e51e740.jpg

A wire wheel works for dried, fossilized stuff. If it's thick enough, you can sometimes crack most of it off with something like the stubby screwdriver with the broken tip (from using it as a pry bar) we all keep in the toolbox just for these situations.


If the glue still flexible, the wire wheel doesn't work as well. Use a heat gun to heat one section of the rim (between adjacent spoke holes) until the glue bubbles, them wipe it off with a disposable shop rag. Let it cool for a bit, then wipe that section again with with some VM&P naphtha on a separate rag to get the clumps off. Once you've gone all way around the rim, use a fresh rag with naphtha (no more heating needed) to remove any residual glue.

Of course, do this outdoors, use gloves and eye protection, and be careful about fire safety. And I wouldn't try this on carbon rims.

VM&P naphtha works better than acetone (too volatile). VM&P = "Varnish Maker's & Painter's". I have never met a Varnish Maker. Varnish making may be a lost art. Huffing naphtha all day can't be conducive to a long career.

It seems appropriate that I post this link again. Effetto Mariposa Carogna Remover. Non-toxic, very little odor, cleans up with water, and somewhat pricey.

It's a gel that is spread over the old glue. Leave it overnight on old, fossilized glue. A couple of hours on newer glue. I clean with a green 3M scrub pad and water.

While at the site, check out their gluing tape. I used it to mount my tires on both wheelsets for the Lotus. I'm very pleased. Now I must admit I'm not an aggressive rider and all of my riding in GA is on flat terrain, so there is very little stress on the tires.

psa check out for for sale section for tubie deal https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...r-tubular.html

Medaille d'or
 

Just got a nos Ambrosio laced up. 2 cross straight gauge.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cd53722f68.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...874f1128e2.jpg

New meats
 

Got 2 new Dr Feelgoods. Thanks for the heads up at excelsports Pastorbob. Great price on these. I'll report on them eventually.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b9ab1fd17f.jpg

I thought an update to my defective Vittoria Corsa Speed G+ was in order (and it bumps "Totally Tubular" back to the top of the "Stickies" :D)

I received a call from Tyler at Excel Sports yesterday. The good news is Vittoria will cover the tire under warranty! Unfortunately, the tire is on backorder, and I'll probably need to wait until late February or March to receive the replacement. Tyler offered to send a different tire but I declined because I want my tires to "matchy-matchy" (as Mrs. PB would say).

Here's my positive shout out to Excel Sports and Vittoria! :thumb:

You’d’ think there’d be a Two-fer sale somewhere on 2/2/22……

That will be on 2/22/22.

That will be on a twosday too. :)

Twobular Tuesday twofer

Twotally Twobular Tuesday Twofer ;)