Hello
I have an old Bontrager 21mm internal tubeless ready wheel set.
It hasn’t been used for some while and I’m wanting to redo my tubeless myself for the first time
I’ve watched a couple of videos and currently have the current problems
Photo 1 – this wheel didn’t even have tubeless tape to begin with. Why is that? I’ve given the gunk and good clean but would love if anyone has advice to get the rest out (ended up doing most with a flathead screwdriver)
Photo 2 – this ring / lock nut is absolutely stock on. Pliers aren’t helping either. I’ve put some wd40 in the area and will leave overnight. Any other suggestions?
Thank you!
by KindKaleidoscope9917
5 Comments
>this wheel didn’t even have tubeless tape to begin with. Why is that?
Cost.
>Any other suggestions?
A better penetrating fluid if the WD-40 isn’t sufficient. “PB Blaster” has worked well for me but the branding seems all over the place these days. “Blaster,” “B’laster,” “Blaster PB,” etc. I’m not sure if it’s the same stuff or not as what we used to buy and I’ve got years left of the old stuff in my can.
I’d suggest painter’s tape on the rim when you’re trying to use pliers to get that nut off to give you a layer of protection to prevent scratches in the anodization.
The first picture looks like it has a Bontrager tubeless rim strip fitted, that is used instead of tape.
I’ve found the old silicon comes off with abrasive cloth, or a soft-ish kitchen non-metallic scourer.
My Giant bike had factory installed tubeless. The factory glues the rim tape down with glue. I needed muck-off to get rid of it.
A bit of elbow grease will be needed.
U believe you should clean off as much old silicon from the rim to ensure the new tyre bead easily locks in place.
If rim tape is glued you should use a hair dryer (or a hot air blower) to remove it. This will make the old tape detach easily from rim surface. Remember to have rim surface cleaned with isopropyl alcohol before applying new tape.
I wrenched in several Trek shops and while these are supposed to be one and done, I have successfully removed and reused these strips without too much effort; you just need to be careful removing it. The edges will ripple a little bit but once reinstalled the tension will remove those. Taping before installing a strip like this actually makes things worse. It’s an elegant design, but a drag when you need to replace a spoke and don’t have a talented mechanic. Most just shred the rim strip to sell you another one. I have some Line 30 rims and Duster Elite rims that use these and haven’t had to replace a strip yet.