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Notubes Installation fun! Arch rim, Alfine hub, Fastrak tire

Last week I successfully set up a WTB SX24 29er rim and Specialized Fastrak tire with a 26" Notubes rim strip. Not too big of a deal, but I had to do a lot of shaking, turning, waiting, flipping, etc. I did quite a few miles (road, technical riding, and trail) and it has worked fine.

So, tonight I figured I'd quickly go tubeless with my Arch 29er rim, Fastrak tire, yellow rim tape, and Olympic valve. As usual, things didn't go as planned, but it was a good learning experience. I'll summarize the steps w/ some pics and text...click pics for enlarged versions


First, dismount the Alfine hub, which requires a wrench, since it is a bolt-on hub.


Next, remove the cable/nut from shifting mech


Remove chain and dismount wheel


Unmount tire, discard tube


Remove old rim tape (two layers of electrical tape...living life on the edge!)


Install new Notubes rim tape (25mm)


Punch hole for valve stem and use file to carefully remove extra rim tape


Install Olympic valve stem


Reinstall tire and add sealant (I added almost 4oz, which probably turned out to be a good thing)


With sealant in tire, close tire, swish sealant around, shake tire, inflate


Inflated tire bubbling/spewing like crazy after coated w/ soapy water.


After shaking, flipping, waiting, repeating many times, I realize I have a sidewall gash! Patch on the inside w/ a Park glueless patch, reinflate, shake around sealant, inflate to 40psi, hear a bunch of bead sealing pops and, presto, I'm essentially done!

So, I got to practice installing a tubeless configuration w/ a sidewall gash. A good thing to do while not under pressure in an 18 hour race. And, I'll probably get to go buy a new tire and repeat the installation process, since I don't think I want to take chances with a marginal sidewall during an endurance race. Yippee!

Update: You should probably follow the instructions on the Notubes.com site for patching a tire. I didn't, so we'll see how long my patch works...

Comments

Anonymous said…
Nice write up, I am just about to build up the same wheelset (alfine 11 speed). How is the yellow tape holding up long term? Is it bullet proof or is a rim strip a better option?
January 1, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Brad Baker said…
Zero problems with yellow tape on several wheels...
July 31, 2011 at 3:01 PM
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