Is my tire Tubeless?
Hi Bike Forums
I'm a little confused about something and could use some ideas. I have a Salsa Fargo. I was always under the impression that the tires, while "tubules ready", had inner tubes in them from the factory. I have a slow leak in my front wheel. I had a spare tube that should fit. So I figured it would be easy to just swap the tube. However, when I tried to remove the tire from the rim the sidewalls of the tires are like.. GLUED to the rim. They will not budge under a good amount of force. This instantly made me wonder if this tire is tubeless. to test, I filled the tire with air and then backed off the nut on the valve and pressed the valve in, expecting air to come out - but none escaped. The tire is a ranger 2.25 29" Fast Rolling Light Any hints on my next step? |
I *think* if you can press the presta valve in from the rim, there is a tube.
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Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22638280)
Hi Bike Forums
However, when I tried to remove the tire from the rim the sidewalls of the tires are like.. GLUED to the rim. They will not budge under a good amount of force. This instantly made me wonder if this tire is tubeless Any hints on my next step? |
Tubeless tires and rims have a significantly tighter fit at their bead for obvious reasons. I also sometimes struggle to unseat a tubeless tire, regardless of tube or not. That the air couldn't flow out the valve when you were trying to "burb" it suggests that the valve is plugged and the usual reason is from tubeless sealant getting old or having congealed. I would be careful as to what surface you are working on when trying to remove the tires, given that they exhibit a classic issue with sealant inside. Sealant on your carpets is not good:)
For others just reading this thread- This post shows that a simple question at the time of the bike's purchase will give one the best answer and sooner. Ask the shop how they assemble/set up their bikes. If they are savvy they will take the opportunity to sell you more stuff while they answer your question. Andy |
Originally Posted by BTinNYC
(Post 22638290)
I *think* if you can press the presta valve in from the rim, there is a tube.
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You need to define slow leak.
Is that from inflated to pressure to nothing during the time it takes you to complete a ride? Or is it from inflated to not quite enough pressure to ride in the 3 or 4 days, maybe a week or two between rides. To me the former is a slow leak. The latter is just normal circumstances as the thin butyl tubes we use do let air pass through them. I've read that latex tubes are even worse for this, but I've not tried latex tubes yet. Unless you can call the people you bought the bike from and ask them, you probably should just be ready for either. If the tire is a model that is specifically marketed at tubeless, then you might expect it to be tubeless. However even tubed tires sometimes get stuck to the rim bead seat. And it's possible that someone put one of those tubes with sealant in the tires and it's leaked into the tire/rim bead seat over time. And as well cause issues with the valve. Welcome to BF! |
Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22638280)
......... I was always under the impression that the tires, while "tubules ready", had inner tubes in them from the factory.....
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Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22638280)
I have a Salsa Fargo. I was always under the impression that the tires, while "tubules ready", had inner tubes in them from the factory. Your Fargo was definitely packed into the box at the factory with inner tubes installed in the tires., and that setup would be the common way to find the bike in a bike shop ready to purchase. :) Andrew R. Stewart explained why the tires are unusually difficult to break free of the rims, "tubeless ready" rims are not simply hook-edged," but often socketed at the bead in some form or another, making it diffcult to break the tire free of the rim bead, whether tubeless or not. |
Excellent. Thanks for all the advice.
I’ll simply try harder to remove the tire and see what happens. to answer the question. Slow leak = full pressure to flat with zero riding in 24 hours. |
Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22638843)
Slow leak = full pressure to flat with zero riding in 24 hours.
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Originally Posted by jgwilliams
(Post 22639016)
That's the sort of slow leak you wouldn't expect to get with tubeless tyres as the sealant should seal it. When you replace the tube, don't forget to check for something poking through the tyre itself.
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I gave this tire another try. And again, no matter how much force I apply, the thing will not budge.
I put up a short video on YouTube, but I can't post a link because I am under 10 post. but YouTube dot com /shorts/0bzHfOBQedg will get you there. |
Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22640193)
I gave this tire another try. And again, no matter how much force I apply, the thing will not budge.
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Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22640193)
I gave this tire another try. And again, no matter how much force I apply, the thing will not budge.
. |
Originally Posted by TakingMyTime
(Post 22640216)
Looks to be coming off the bead to me. Flip your tire lever over and pull that thing off. I'm not trying to be insulting, just asking but... you have taken a tire off before?
The last flat I had I just took the tire to the shop.. but it's not nearby and they charge a lot and I figure I should be able to do this.. |
Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22640256)
I have not.
The last flat I had I just took the tire to the shop.. but it's not nearby and they charge a lot and I figure I should be able to do this.. My first tire change (in this era) was early pandemic and it kicked my tail. :) After a few tires it's no longer a battle. |
ok, finally, I was able to use a wood clamp to get enough leverage to get this tire open and the tube out!
When I removed the tube, I noticed the valve core was a little loose.. and I wonder if that was my issue this whole time. I filled the tube with some air and we'll see what happens with it. |
Originally Posted by plasma800
(Post 22640256)
The last flat I had I just took the tire to the shop.. but it's not nearby and they charge a lot and I figure I should be able to do this..
The same is true for changing a tire on your car, presuming you have a spare of any type (some newer autos don't; they have an air pump containing some sealant instead - which does squat if you have a large enough puncture or a badly compromised sidewall). However, best I can tell a surprising number of people have never really learned how to do that, either. |
Originally Posted by alcjphil
(Post 22640247)
In which direction are you applying the force? To remove a tire from a tubeless rim you first have to push the tire bead inward towards the centre of the rim. This will create enough space to get your tire lever under the bead for removal
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Get a couple decent quality spares anyway. Continental is a good brand. I like to get my tubes sized a bit smaller than the tire if possible, say a 23-25mm tube for a 28 mm tire. It's easier to slip a new tube in.
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Watch this video
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well, after much encouraged wrangling, I'm back on the road!
Thank you all very much. It did require a LOT more force that I thought. I put in a new tube, even though I couldn't find any leak in my old tube (I think the valve core was loose just barely) and pumping the tire popped the bead back in place. So.. that worked. |
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