July 13, 201313 yr Bought the bike with a tube, but I like the thing to be proper. Tire off 3 times and 3 hours later... Those things sure can be a bugger to get right!
July 13, 201313 yr Author Yeah, Cope...you've been there! Twice it was spokes and once it was right by the valve. I make sure the wheel is true and the spokes are tight, then put a dab of silicone on each nipple inside the rim. I've only done a couple rim strips, but this seems to work for me. I'm reluctant to put silicone in the channel because I don't want to gum it up. It's easy to get most of the strip in by stretching it, but that last bit you just have to work into the groove with sweat and cussing. I hate that damned Slime and other sealing products, but tonight I was close to trying it!
July 13, 201313 yr One of the guys on here said Mastic was the thing to use It stays goo so you can still adjust your spokes
July 13, 201313 yr Bought the bike with a tube, but I like the thing to be proper. Tire off 3 times and 3 hours later... Those things sure can be a bugger to get right! If you like things proper why are you using silicone? Silicone contains acid and will erode the aluminium. Do the job properly with a good quality rim tape with built in valve.
July 14, 201313 yr I take my wheels to the local bike shop, for $13.00 its worth letting them have the worries. Done my time changing tires but not any more. Well may be a front now and again. Cheers Taff
July 14, 201313 yr If you like things proper why are you using silicone? Silicone contains acid and will erode the aluminium. Do the job properly with a good quality rim tape with built in valve. Not all silicones produce acid during curing, engine sealing types don't as they're made for sealing aluminium rocker boxes etc. Sometimes a new rim tape has no effect, even the newer type with built in stem. 1 of my rims has some patches where the anodizing has gone giving pitting inside the groove & using engine sealant is the only way to seal the wheel short of buying a new rim
July 14, 201313 yr Charlie!!!! What are you doing silicone? Dabsters tips no.554 get a new rim tape with integrated valve, spotlessly clean and get the thing in there right!
July 14, 201313 yr Author Damn! I suppose you guys are right. I learned something too late....ain't that always the case? That silicone is some evil $hit and it doesn't surprise me that it eats aluminum. Now I have to do it again. And I do have the integrated valve and I went at the thing for 20 minutes with a wire brush getting everything to eat-off-it clean. Shoulda listened to me old mum, "Would you just stop and think for TWO SECONDS?!?!?" Fook. The other disaster of the maneuver is...DABSTER...I tore the beader that you so kindly sent me years ago. The only sensible thing to do now is go riding! Edited July 14, 201313 yr by charlie chitlins
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