Tubliss Questions

[GMP]

Just picked up a Tubliss. I know they say start with a new tire, but have any of you used a used tire as long as the bead area was not damaged by the rimlock? I have a couple good used tires I would hate to waste.

Also, whats the story with tire sealant? Recommended or optional? If used whats best? What kind of mess does it make on the insert when its time to swap tires?

I have a couple wheels and plan to set them both up with Tubliss(one with Mitas trials tire) if all goes well with the knobby.

Thanks guys.

 

[stainlesscycle]

i have run it with non-new tires. it works, sometimes you get slow leaks - you will need to check pressure before you ride. do your best to align old rim lock marks - it helps. if you have 110lbs in the tubliss, it should seal - the most important thing is to have a clean bead, good rimstrip (with their tape), and a good clean bead on the tire.

i don't use sealant. have you encountered puncture flats in the past? sealant would be a mess..

 

[Eric K]

Glenn,

I started with a Tubliss, new tire and no sealant. I run the tire at 5 psi. Over 600 miles later still no slow leaks.

 

[Skidad]

I used an MT16 that was about 1/2 worn out that had been fitted with 2 rim locks for my first TuBliss install. Initially it dropped some pressure but to be honset the valve stem was not perfectly straight but I left it anyway. I then pumped it up to about 50psi and left it overnight. It dropped to 40psi by morning. Good enough for me. I then pulled the valve stem and put in TrueGoo sealant and it stayed perfect from them on. I put a gash in the sidewall but the sealant did work although a bunch did work it's way out. I wouldn't run without it but yeah it's messy when you pull the tire. It's so easy to pull the liner I did that to clean everything off. New Pirelli MT43 aired up and held perfect from the get go. 2nd bead was tough to get on with that thing though.

 

[GMP]

Thanks. No, I never use sealant, just heard it mentioned a lot with Tubliss. I would prefer not to as it seems like it would make a tire change a major time consuming mess. I have an almost new S12 (my sand race tire) and a very good IRC VE33. I'd like to try the VE33 in the rocks at 5-6 PSI. I'll clean up the tire and give it a shot. I could also fill in any imperfections from the rimlock in the inner bead surface with RTV.

 

[HAWKWIND]

Glenn,

I started with a Tubliss, new tire and no sealant. I run the tire at 5 psi. Over 600 miles later still no slow leaks.

Eric, are you still running the X-11?

 

[roostafish]

I have also used non new tires, and it works fine as stated, as long as the bead is okay.

I do use Slime sealant. I just like the assurance. My brother in law made me a believer when he had a knob rip off and the slime leaked out, but the air stayed in.

 

[gasser]

I have also used non new tires, and it works fine as stated, as long as the bead is okay.

I do use Slime sealant. I just like the assurance. My brother in law made me a believer when he had a knob rip off and the slime leaked out, but the air stayed in.

I use Slime for a different reason - I use it to protect the Tubliss liner from chafing when running very low pressure - I can run 0-2 pounds with no problems. I've run the Tubliss for more than 100 hours since I mounted it and have had no flats or pinches even though I've averaged less than 4 pounds of air pressure in it.

 

[Cruiser]

Glenn if you want to soften the bead up on the mix up some brake fluid and water and armor all, equal parts,, wipe on the bead and let sit,, then wipe off.. Its what the monster truck guys used to do to cure slow leaks or reuse tires..

 

[Eric K]

Eric, are you still running the X-11?

I have been running the Metzeler DOT Unicross knobby with the Tubliss on my 06.

I have a Mitas trials tire with a HD tube on my '01.

 

[GMP]

I mounted up a new MT-16 today, just used Armror All. What a cinch to mount! Took no more than two minutes to get the tire on. The biggest job was cleaning and prepping the rim. Holding air so far. If I like it I'll get another for my other wheel with a trials tire, but fix the bead surface and reuse the tire as its only a few rides old. Maybe sealant in that one, as trials tires last and are not changed like knobbies.

I drilled a new hole for the HP insert tube so both stems could be inserted together like they say, but has anyone used the two existing holes(one drilled out to 10mm) and poked the valve stem through while spooning the insert over?

 

[GMP]

I rode today with the Tubliss/MT-16 at 5 PSI, and was very impressed! The combo was excellent in the good dirt, better in the turns of course, and smooth in the rocks. The only disadvantage to the Mitas trials tire was in traction on uphill slabs and general situations where the pure adhesion of the trials is what works best. Overall I really like it and will most likely race with it in all but very rocky conditions. I'm planning on another for the trials tire and then one for the front.

The one advantage the trials tire will always have is longevity and overal cost. I will still wreck a good knobby in no time where I live and ride.