Bicycle Mechanics - Tubeless....flat - cracked rim??

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum, and have done some reading about tubeless tires, as I am the victim of a flat at the moment, and I believe what I have is tubeless. I searched around but didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so here goes:

At the end of last season I bought a Specialized HardRock Pro (2003). I have finally got out riding again this season, and found to my dismay my tire was flat the next time I got my bike to go for a ride. With some soapy water to help, it seems that there are hundreds of tiny little holes in the tire that are leaking. It also seems like there is a major leak through the actual RIM.

I believe the numerous tiny holes are from the numerous tiny cacti that are all around the place I've been riding. The leak through the rim I have no idea about.

I have attached a couple of pictures to show what I mean. The leak in the rim seems to be on the side portion of the rim, approximately between the "L" and the "E" in the word ALEX. The rest is pretty self evident I think.

I am really new to this stuff, so any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Simon.

I don't know at what rate your tires are loosing air, but I thought I would mention it is normal to loose air pressure over rather short amount of time. This is the real drawback to tubeless tires, although as a whole tubeless is better, you have to check the pressure before each ride. Now if you are having major problems I would suggest Stans NoTubes formula http://www.notubes.com/. It is designed to be to convert regular rims and tires to tubeless. Just add some in each tire and you should be set. If you really don't want deal with them at all, don't forget taking out the valve on the rim only takes onle second. Once the valve is out just put in a standard presta tube.

Tim Dog

I don't know at what rate your tires are loosing air, but I thought I would mention it is normal to loose air pressure over rather short amount of time. This is the real drawback to tubeless tires, although as a whole tubeless is better, you have to check the pressure before each ride. Now if you are having major problems I would suggest Stans NoTubes formula http://www.notubes.com/. It is designed to be to convert regular rims and tires to tubeless. Just add some in each tire and you should be set. If you really don't want deal with them at all, don't forget taking out the valve on the rim only takes onle second. Once the valve is out just put in a standard presta tube.

Tim Dog

Thanks for the response ; )

I did find that Stan's stuff on my search and it seems pretty interesting. My tire is losing air quite rapidly though....within an hour it is almost totally flat. Also, would that goop fix what appears to be the leak through my rim?? It seems like there is a weld in the rim there, and that appears to be where the majority of the air comes through.

They are the two only tires I have (the ones that came with my bike), so I'd like to fix this one as simply as possible.

Thanks again,

S.

I think its odd that you can find what looks to be a weld in your rim, Stans should be able to take care of that I would believe. I would say give it a try its cheaper than a buying a new rim. don't forget if your desperate and just want get it out of the way for now putting a tube in it is mindless work.

Tim Dog

and I believe what I have is tubeless.


Woah, Woah people......slow down and read what the man is saying. Simon.....you dont know if you have tubeless tires? Atleast thats what im getting out of what you said. I read over it 100 times to make sure. None of the hardrock series ever come with tubeless, so unless you upgraded then you obviously have tubes in there. If you do in fact have tubes, then I would easily say that its just the tube in the tire expanding the rubber and creating pressure, and also the air escaping from the TUBE is going all over the place in there.

If the tyres are UST (tubeless) it would be clearly labelled on the tyre wall.

CHEERS.

Mark

chances are if he says
I believe what I have is tubeless he doesnt know jack sh it

chances are if he says he doesnt know jack sh it


Lmaohttp://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/smoker.gif

Lmaohttp://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/smoker.gif



The verdict is in: I am ********.

Thanks for your help :D

yippie he staed the obvious