Originally Posted by
pastorbobnlnh
A Very Slow Tubular Leak Question:
I know this is about to curse my good fortune, but since first mounting and riding tubulars in 2015, I've never flatted my tubulars. I don't use sealant because I tend to let a bike sit for a long time before rotating it into use. I ruined two very nice Vittoria Course tubulars that I did add sealant to because it ran to the bottom and hardened (expensive lesson learned).
My '71 Paramount P13 has been wearing a set of Schwalbe One tubes since 2015, and the rear tire has developed a very slow leak. It will drop from 100psi to 80psi in about 3 hours and will be flat in about 12-15 hours. I can't find anything puncturing the tire. I've not bothered to remove the wheel and place in water to locate the leak. I cannot hear the air leaking.
The tire in question is beginning to show its age. A few cuts and scrapes on the side wall. Thinning in the center of the tread with a few nicks and cracks here and there.
Looking for some collective advice as to how to proceed:
- Add sealant and see if it stops the leak and ride?
- Use this as an opportunity to look for the leak and patch my first tubular?
- Celebrate the nine years of flat-free riding and mount a new set of Schwalbe Ones (I bought an extra set a while back)?
- Other options?
And, since we like pictures, here it is back in 2015, shortly after they were first mounted.
First, make sure the valve core is tight. If that doesn't do it, sealant. I've not had good luck locating a puncture by putting tire in water as the bubbles are really only indicating where the air is escaping from the casing and that may not coincide with where it is escaping the tube.