ModeratedUser

Thank you, that's very helpful!

bikepro

Even if this would work, it likely would prevent the valve stem from fitting properly in the valve stem hole resulting in a high spot on the tire.

JohnDThompson 

Yes. Open the stitching enough to assess whether this is the problem. Due to the nature of tubular tires, a puncture at some distance from the stem can still appear to be leaking at the stem unless you open the casing to directly visualize the tube. If it is leaking at the stem, and you feel the tire is worth salvaging, send it to Tire Alert and they'll replace the tube and stitch up the casing properly.

alcjphil

The tire that the OP is referring to has no stitching. It cannot be opened up

ModeratedUser

Thanks for the heads up on this John. I emailed the guys and I'll wait and see what they say.

I did check for the leak in a bucket of water and there is a small leak coming from the base of the stem. I'm going to wait and see what the dudes at Tire Alert replies back.

Fred Smedley

Usually it means death , but I have succesfully done this. It worked great until the sidewall casing gave away. Lesson learned ,old Sew ups , no matter the shape are not worth gluing on. IMO of course.


Tubular Tire Repair by Jobst Brandt


Tube Replacement
To replace the entire tube, open the tire on one side of the stem, the side that seems to be easier to re-sew after the repair. Open about eight to ten cm the usual way, so that the old tube can be pulled out by the stem. Cut the tube and attach a strong cord to the loose end of the tube to be pulled through the casing by the old tube as you pull it out.

Cut the "new" latex tube about 8-10 cm away from the stem, tie the cord onto the loose end and pull it gently into the casing. Dumping some talc into the casing and putting talc onto the tube help get the tube into place. With the tube in place, pull enough of it out by stretching it, to splice the ends together.

Splicing the Tube
This procedure works only with latex tubes. Overlap the tube ends so the free end goes about one cm inside the end with the stem. With the tube overlapped, use a toothpick to wipe Pastali rim cement into the interface. The reason this MUST be done in place is that the solvent will curl the rubber into an unmanageable mess if you try this in free space. Carefully glue the entire circumference and press the joint together by pressing the tube flat in opposing directions. Wait a minute and then gently inflate to check the results. More glue can be inserted if necessary if you do not wait too long.

alcjphil

Is nobody paying attention? This tire has no stitching. It has no inner tube. It cannot be opened up. It is not a sew up tubular

hueyhoolihan

fietsbob

Tufos are like that.

ModeratedUser

Those guys got back to me with;

Hi User1

Those Tufo Flexus are seamless we cannot retube them.

Happy Holidays
Ron
TIRE ALERT
2320 Hawthorne Drive
Clearwater, FL 33763-1511
USA

They never really answered the question imho. I asked if they could be repaired. They were looking at it as "replacing the tube and sewing it back up." I knew that was a no go. I was asking if they could repair my tire. I'm guessing I'm asking the wrong people by going to them. Furthermore I guess I'm going to go my route and replace the valve with a Orange Seal valve. But first I'm going to try some Goop and tire sealant and see how well that holds. The tire is rated at a max of 65 psi, so we're not talking about high pressure or anything.

Thanks for everyone's help and I'll update this to tell what has happened. Right now I'm away from the lab, so nothing is happening.

alcjphil

Not sure if it is possible to replace the valve, be very careful. Goop on the outside probably won't work as well as sealant injected inside the tire.