This is a follow up from this thread where I had a leak coming from the valve hole in my wheel: https://old.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/1lu0h4k/massive_air_leak_on_tubeless_wheel_from_valve/
I ordered in new rim tape. I removed old rim tape which was a single layer of white tape. It also had a bonus patch of black tape right at the valve, maybe 1" long and thicker than the white tape. The valve nut was *very* tight and I had to use pliers to remove it (It came from the factory like that).
I cleaned up the inside of the wheel – first removing the sealant and then going over it with IPA. I let that dry for an hour then installed new rim tape – starting 10cm from valve and then passing valve by 10cm (so one layer for everywhere except valve).
I got my old wheel seated with an air compressor but when I tried to pump it up air was blasting out from the exact same spot as before.
At this point I'm thinking maybe the valve stem is not well suited for my wheel or is just shitty? Would love ideas as I'm very new to tubeless and feeling pretty defeated right now.
by uoficowboy
6 Comments
I can’t seem to edit my first post – so more info that I left out:
To create the hole for the valve in the rim tape I used an xacto knife and made essentially an X at the right point and pushed the valve core through. I did not trim the extra pieces off. I could try that next?? I also did not put in any sealant yet.
Is that a crack on the left side of the hole?
I find that scoring the tape with a knife creates a rip that propagates as the valve is inserted. Poking a hole with an awl or pick works better.
How tight did you tighten the valve through the rim? I find if it’s not painful to tighten the nut, it’s probably not tight enough and will leak a bit of air.
Also. DT Swiss isn’t great tape. It’s pretty thin, prone to tearing, and doesn’t have much give to it. As someone that loves DT Swiss wheels, I pull off the OEM tape and replace it with something that’s a bit more ‘stretchy’. Even on brand new wheels.
I use this because a few mechanics told me they like it. Certainly not the only option.
https://www.jensonusa.com/teravail-tubeless-rim-tape-18?loc=usa&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18444120634&gclid=CjwKCAjw7MLDBhAuEiwAIeXGIUjEu5mQykybgYGxTJrCcG43SRuQD24Oik0AYIad0TKF9s5QkmpbvhoC9O8QAvD_BwE
Using a pick or an awl is the preferred method of making a hole for the vale in rim tape. The fact that this held for so long and suddenly is failing may point to the valve itself needing to be replaced. The rubber seal on the valve can fail from sitting in one position, under pressure, and then get bumped to a new orientation and suddenly not seal correctly anymore. The valve nut shouldn’t be super tight, it should only be finger tight to work properly. It could also be that the tape has an air gap in it where the overlap is. Having a wider overlap or double wrapping the tape usually prevents that failure mode.
I would tape the wheel again with an overlap point of 4 spokes on either side of the valve hole (total of 8 spokes with the valve in the middle). Or do a less aggressive valve overlap of +/- 2 spokes (4 total) with a double wrap of tape around the whole rim.