If you don't use one you risk bending the top tube I've seen a lot with bent top tubes as a result of broken stays. On mine I've welded a long bolt into the channel where they break to add extra strenth. The 199b has a better head stay when mines stripped down for a repaint I'll be making one the same.
Been using aspen for about 5 years now mix my own 2t. Just bought 25 litres of fuel from classic fuel solutions no ethanol. Got lead in it like petrol used to be 105 octain. 3 -5 year shelf life. Yet to try it. It's cheaper than aspen.
Had same problem. Get some stans notubes from a mountain bike shop take the valve core out use a syringe to squirt in about a cupfull. Put valve back blow it up and ride around for a while sorted mine
Just stripped my front wheel down to respoke with stainless and measured my offset at 12.5mm from brake side so it could be 15mm is correct . Mines a 199a. Hope this helps
