WTB tubeless issues
Discussion
I decided to convert my new bike to tubeless as I prefer it and it’s been the biggest pain ever.
My other bikes are tubeless and I’ve set up a few for mates (all mountain bikes)
My new bike is a commuter bike and has WTB Venture tires (700c 50mm)
Firstly I couldn’t get the beads to seat.
I tried everything;
removed the valve core, seated one bead with an inner tube and then removed it, soapy water and getting my other half to pull the side walls away from the centre of the rim.
After getting a blister from pumping I eventually managed to get the front to seat.
The rear was having none of it so I made a sketchy air canister;
Anyway, beads seated I filled them with sealant and then the side walls started leaking.
Tiny pinholes keep appearing in the tan sidewalls, the sealant fills them but not before a load of air has escaped.
The tires are new, they’d been ridden ~4 miles on the road before converting.
I topped them up last night to 40psi, checked them this morning (14hrs later) and they’re down to 20/25psi, put some air back in and pppsssssst a new hole appears in the side wall. A quick spin of the wheel and they’re sealed again.
After googling it seems like I’m not the only person to suffer from this
https://muddymoles.org.uk/mutterings/wtb-tcs-tyres...
Anyone else suffered from this?
I’m going to try a warranty claim with them but as the tires came with the bike I don’t know if they’ll honour it?
My other bikes are tubeless and I’ve set up a few for mates (all mountain bikes)
My new bike is a commuter bike and has WTB Venture tires (700c 50mm)
Firstly I couldn’t get the beads to seat.
I tried everything;
removed the valve core, seated one bead with an inner tube and then removed it, soapy water and getting my other half to pull the side walls away from the centre of the rim.
After getting a blister from pumping I eventually managed to get the front to seat.
The rear was having none of it so I made a sketchy air canister;
Anyway, beads seated I filled them with sealant and then the side walls started leaking.
Tiny pinholes keep appearing in the tan sidewalls, the sealant fills them but not before a load of air has escaped.
The tires are new, they’d been ridden ~4 miles on the road before converting.
I topped them up last night to 40psi, checked them this morning (14hrs later) and they’re down to 20/25psi, put some air back in and pppsssssst a new hole appears in the side wall. A quick spin of the wheel and they’re sealed again.
After googling it seems like I’m not the only person to suffer from this
https://muddymoles.org.uk/mutterings/wtb-tcs-tyres...
Anyone else suffered from this?
I’m going to try a warranty claim with them but as the tires came with the bike I don’t know if they’ll honour it?
TADTS..
In my experience, put in plenty of sealant, slosh it around on one side, leave it on that side for a few hours to sort its self out, then do the other side, since then mine have held just fine. If they're vertical, the sidewalls will lever seal.
And yes, seating them is a PITA. A co2 inflator with the core removed works for particularly stubborn wheels. But really an air-line or a proper air canister is kinda necessary. Once they're properly on they stay there however, unlike my contis which unseat when you let the air out (but also seat up super easy with just the track pump, so what you loose on one hand, you win on the other..)
In my experience, put in plenty of sealant, slosh it around on one side, leave it on that side for a few hours to sort its self out, then do the other side, since then mine have held just fine. If they're vertical, the sidewalls will lever seal.
And yes, seating them is a PITA. A co2 inflator with the core removed works for particularly stubborn wheels. But really an air-line or a proper air canister is kinda necessary. Once they're properly on they stay there however, unlike my contis which unseat when you let the air out (but also seat up super easy with just the track pump, so what you loose on one hand, you win on the other..)
I’ve just converted to tubeless and I have to say, what a faff.
Like you I had issues getting the bead to seat.
In the end I added sealant to the tyre without the bead seated, sloshed it around and then inflated.
This worked a treat and was really quick.
Having gone through the pain twice in two nights (long story), the pressures are still dropping. If I see deflated tyres tomorrow, tubes will be going back in.
Tubeless seems to remove puncture issues, but introduces new issues of its own.
Like you I had issues getting the bead to seat.
In the end I added sealant to the tyre without the bead seated, sloshed it around and then inflated.
This worked a treat and was really quick.
Having gone through the pain twice in two nights (long story), the pressures are still dropping. If I see deflated tyres tomorrow, tubes will be going back in.
Tubeless seems to remove puncture issues, but introduces new issues of its own.
Pleased it’s not just me. I’ve struggled for two weeks on and off to get an MTB tubeless tyre to seat, after months of not using it, and having to clean the old sealant out. Coincidentally that’s WTB rims and tyres, but I doubt that’s the issue. I think the line of sticky old latex on the bead, which I can’t seem to remove, is stopping the beads from sliding into place possibly.
I’ve got a canister. I’ve made trips to the local filling station to use the compressor. I’ve redone the tape. Ive tried “dry” seating first. I’ve tried levering as much of the sidewall into place as I can before starting my. Nothing works. Since the benefits seem quite notional, I’m regretting ever setting them up tubeless.
I’ve got a canister. I’ve made trips to the local filling station to use the compressor. I’ve redone the tape. Ive tried “dry” seating first. I’ve tried levering as much of the sidewall into place as I can before starting my. Nothing works. Since the benefits seem quite notional, I’m regretting ever setting them up tubeless.
Edited by Prawo Jazdy on Saturday 21st August 09:08
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