Set up my first tubeless, well sort of.

[ruffruff]

Sometimes DIY bike stuff frustrates me!

I got a good deal on a Mavic carbon front rim so I jumped on it. I thought great opportunity to try a tubeless setup.
Bought the sealer, etc. and a Continental Der Kaiser 2.4 wide tire.

Holy Crap! I could get it on until the last 4 inches. Tried standing on it to stretch it, soapy water to lube it.
Got a blister and broke a tire lever trying.

Gave up and took it in to the pro's.He wrestled it for awhile but got it on. He said he's never had one that tight! So I guess I don't feel too bad!
It looked so easy on the Youtube videos! I told the tech guy that and he laughed!

Can't wait to give it a spin!

 

[reed scott]

Don't know if it works for bikes but on motorcycle tires you gotta get the portion of the tire opposite of the 'hard part' (that last 4 inches in your case) into the depth of the rim. That reduces the circumference. This is hard to do by yourself. A couple of helping hands pinching that part (the two sidewalls) together helps a lot.

 

[ruffruff]

Don't know if it works for bikes but on motorcycle tires you gotta get the portion of the tire opposite of the 'hard part' (that last 4 inches in your case) into the depth of the rim. That reduces the circumference. This is hard to do by yourself. A couple of helping hands pinching that part (the two sidewalls) together helps a lot.

Yep that helps! I did everything. The Tech also said Mavic rims have been doing this of late. You want them tight to seal but man!

 

[Sierratim]

I had a set of tires that were just about as hard to get on the rims of my mech bike. I got a set of steel tire levers so I had some chance of fixing a field flat. Did it once. What a job! Gave those tires to the local Bicycle Kitchen and bought a set of Schwalbes. What a difference! They actually fit...

 

[PDoz]

Not sure I'd trust myself with carbon rims and a challenging tyre - something about carbon rims flying across the shed seems unnatural

 

[ruffruff]

I had a set of tires that were just about as hard to get on the rims of my mech bike. I got a set of steel tire levers so I had some chance of fixing a field flat. Did it once. What a job! Gave those tires to the local Bicycle Kitchen and bought a set of Schwalbes. What a difference! They actually fit...

The tech said there are some real tough tires and some real tough rims..I guess I hit the jackpot.

The funny part is my kid and I went back and forth...I was giving him crap for not doing his own tire work.
He texted me, "Here's my tire advice! Pay to have someone deal with it!"

I gave him the dad attitude about persistence, DIY independence, American fortitude....I'm eating crow for breakfast!

 

[ruffruff]

Not sure I'd trust myself with carbon rims and a challenging tyre - something about carbon rims flying across the shed seems unnatural

That was my first thought, I'm going to trash my new rim before I even get a tire on!

 

[Browneye]

That's conti. Never again...
I ordered a set for my Explore, got the front mounted, with a tube, and while I was dismounting the rear to put the new tire on, the front blew right off the rim, with 40psi. I'm glad it was already mounted in the forks.

I just did my first conversion as well, on Tuesday - smooth sailing. But an alloy rim, Maxxis minion 2.5 tire. It was tight, but slipped right on, no issues.

 

[ruffruff]

That's conti. Never again...
I ordered a set for my Explore, got the front mounted, with a tube, and while I was dismounting the rear to put the new tire on, the front blew right off the rim, with 40psi. I'm glad it was already mounted in the forks.

I just did my first conversion as well, on Tuesday - smooth sailing. But an alloy rim, Maxxis minion 2.5 tire. It was tight, but slipped right on, no issues.

Just my luck! I research pick what I think is a good tire....

I haven't been out in the shop yet! But I didn't hear any loud bangs over night!
I live in Minneapolis and I would not be a good time to hear a gun shot go off in the shop!

 

[Browneye]

If you're trying to get the last bit of bead on and it's opposite the stem, the tubeless stem base can block just enough of the valley of the rim to make the tire really tight. Squeezing around the tire to make sure both beads are down will ensure it has room to slip over the rim. It's a bit of a trick with the latex sealer sloshing around in there as well. LOL

I swear Continental has a loose variance on bead diameter for a given tire. Either too loose or too tight. After my try with them I'll never buy another. I really like Schwalbe for road, and Maxxis for offroad. Dead reliable, confidence inspiring, a known quantity.

 

[ruffruff]

I've got a Schwalbe Knobby Nic on the rear, I don't think it's tubeless. I may tear it off and set it up tubeless. I would be interested to compare the process!