Just set these up tubeless and the seated fine on the first try. I even went out for a 20 mile ride to test them out and didn’t feel myself loosing any air. Came back 2 days later to a flat tire, took off the tire to see that the tape is coming off the edges in a few spots and leaking sealant under the tape. I can see the sealant in some air bubbles and its also leaking out of the drainage hole in the rim. Should i remove this tape, clean the rim, ans start from scratch? Do people ever just put patches of tape over the areas that need it? Or maybe juat try throwing a bunch more sealant in there, but i feel like thag will continue to leak into the rim.
by eastcoastshred
8 Comments
Yes. Start from scratch. What sealant are you using?
It will be easier in the long run to just pull it off, clean the rim down and reapply new tape. It looks like sealant got under the tape around the valve.
Do it again and use wider tape.
This tape is wrecked. You cannot patch tape. You need to remove and apply fresh tape.
It looks as though the tape was not applied under enough tension / stretched into the rim contours. Before you install the tire, the tape should be firmly stuck down across the entire rim profile. It must at a minimum reach the vertical wall of the rim, and ideally extend up the vertical wall a couple millimetres – this will create a better seal with the tire.
If you are having trouble getting the tape to conform to the rim:
– tape the rim in the warmest room in your house, after allowing the rim and tape to come up to the temperature of the room
– use a lot of tension when applying the tape, and stop every 8-12 inches to firmly press the tape into the rim profile. Pressing the tape down after the whole rim is taped is nearly impossible
– if you are still struggling, use a hair dryer to lightly warm the tape when you are smoothing it. This will help it conform.
And always, if in doubt, redo the tape. Better to tape it 3 times in the workshop than have the tape fail on the road. AliExpress tape is cheap and fine, if price is the issue.
I have patched over a leaking hole but you’re best off starting from scratch.
You need to clean the rim with a combination of polar and non-polar solvents (50/50 acetone and IPA or use brake disc cleaner).
You also probably didn’t apply enough tension – it looks really loose and baggy.
Make sure you pull on the tape and it should seal really well around the edges of the rim, then you go back over with a sponge or your thumb and push the middle down to remove air bubbles.
Yea not looking good there buddy.
Pointer: put the wheel back on the bike so it stays in place better as you apply the tape. You should be putting a lot of strain on the tape as you apply it so it is applied taut.
This picture shows something that you (and lots of other folks) should take note of:
See that sealant going under the side of the tape and into the spoke holes? Air is also doing that.
So when one sees air or sealant “leaking from around the spokes” or “valve stem”, this is why it happens. It’s almost always a problem with leakage around the tape, due to tape that’s too narrow, dislodged, or damaged.
And for you, OP, remove it, clean the rim well, and retape with tape that’s wide enough to go wall to wall so the tire sits on top of it. If it’s narrower you’ll continue to have this problem.
I cannot see the advantage of tubeless tyres!