Bicycle Mechanics - Water intrusion into wheels

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slorick
08-10-10, 10:38 AM
2005 Trek, Mavic Kysrium SL Wheels, Michelin tubes. The last two times out on the bike I have been caught out in a rain storm. My wheels get water inside of them. The first time it happend took off the tires and cleaned and dried the inside of the tire. Went again and was rained on again ended up with water in the wheels again.This happens to both front and rear wheels. Took of the tires and had about 2-3 oz. of water in the wheel/tire. Just put on these wheels less than 200 miles on them. Should I seal around the presta valve? Has anyone else had this happen? Searched and could not find anything on this subject. Thanks in advance for any help.


BCRider
08-10-10, 10:44 AM
You're obsessing over a "nothing". Many of us up in this corner of the country ride literally hundreds of times in the rain per year if we commute to work. None of us worry about a bit of water getting into the wheels. If we did we'd never have time to ride. Similarly mountian bikers run the bikes through streams and boggy areas and then just hose the bike off when they get back home, give it a shake to bounce off the worst of the water, oil the chain and then hang the things on a hook until next time.

EDIT- 2 or 3 oz of water? You riding with deep V rims? I have to admit that I never thought of the rain issue with those sort of wheels. The funny thing is that any time I've pulled a tire to change it after washing the wheels the smaller box section rims never have more than a film of water in them. Sounds like deep V rims need some scupper holes in the box section.... :D

fietsbob
08-10-10, 11:26 AM
Might try an O ring under the ring nut on the presta valve stem, quick and simple to try.
but you still have a hole for every spoke .


FBinNY
08-10-10, 11:52 AM
Water's been getting into rims and tires as long as there been bikes and rain. As BCRider says, just accept it and don't fret over it, unless you ride in the winter and are worried about the water freezing and cracking the rim (never heard of it actually happening).

Some rims are deeper and might take up more water, but if you leave the bike with the valve opening down most will drain, and the remainder will evaporate eventually.

slorick
08-10-10, 11:55 AM
Thought of using a O ring but the michelin tubes are smooth presta valve. Also I should have noted that I just put on these wheels, never had any problems with water and my old wheels. I thought maybe it was something to do with the design of the Kysrium SL.

fietsbob
08-10-10, 11:59 AM
yea drilling drain holes may be on order. maybe some plastic tape
pulled over the stem will work ..
KISS solutions abound.

dewaday
08-10-10, 12:12 PM
I thought maybe it was something to do with the design of the Kysrium SL.

Don't think it's exclusive to the Kysrium's, but they do like taking on water. Had to drain mine 3 times during a rainy century couple years ago.