Proper tire seating, inflating max pressure?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Proper tire seating, inflating max pressure?
Hello all,
I am trying to seat a WTB Resolute 42x700C gravel tire on to a Bontrager tubeless ready rim (disc wheel).
The tire seems to want to 'dip' in one spot, indicating the tire bead is not seated properly. Usually on my road bike I would solve this by inflating the tire to like 100 psi, and it would pop into place. However., this tire is rated at 50 psi MAX. So I am unsure how high I can pressurize it before I run into any problems? I tried pumping it up to 70 psi already, to no avail.
What is the max pressure I can safely pump it up to (to seat the tire, not to ride it)?
Other things I should try?
Thanks!
I am trying to seat a WTB Resolute 42x700C gravel tire on to a Bontrager tubeless ready rim (disc wheel).
The tire seems to want to 'dip' in one spot, indicating the tire bead is not seated properly. Usually on my road bike I would solve this by inflating the tire to like 100 psi, and it would pop into place. However., this tire is rated at 50 psi MAX. So I am unsure how high I can pressurize it before I run into any problems? I tried pumping it up to 70 psi already, to no avail.
What is the max pressure I can safely pump it up to (to seat the tire, not to ride it)?
Other things I should try?
Thanks!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,330
Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo
Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20610 Post(s)
Liked 9,280 Times
in
4,595 Posts
Did you try lubing things up a bit? I usually spray a bit of soapy water on the rim bed and beads before seating. With a small problem spot, I'll also pull/twist the bead in to place with my hands on either side of the dip. Hell, sometimes I'll just bang that side of the tire on the ground.
Likes For WhyFi:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,314
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1111 Post(s)
Liked 1,112 Times
in
657 Posts
Soapy water will help the bead slip into place. Try spraying down the sidewall in that area.
As for PSI, I don't think I'd push it beyond 70psi, which is quite high for a 42mm tire.
As for PSI, I don't think I'd push it beyond 70psi, which is quite high for a 42mm tire.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Did you try lubing things up a bit? I usually spray a bit of soapy water on the rim bed and beads before seating. With a small problem spot, I'll also pull/twist the bead in to place with my hands on either side of the dip. Hell, sometimes I'll just bang that side of the tire on the ground.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Québec, Canada
Posts: 1,374
Bikes: TCR Pro, Revolt Adv
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 589 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times
in
257 Posts
Hello all,
I am trying to seat a WTB Resolute 42x700C gravel tire on to a Bontrager tubeless ready rim (disc wheel).
The tire seems to want to 'dip' in one spot, indicating the tire bead is not seated properly. Usually on my road bike I would solve this by inflating the tire to like 100 psi, and it would pop into place. However., this tire is rated at 50 psi MAX. So I am unsure how high I can pressurize it before I run into any problems? I tried pumping it up to 70 psi already, to no avail.
What is the max pressure I can safely pump it up to (to seat the tire, not to ride it)?
Other things I should try?
Thanks!
I am trying to seat a WTB Resolute 42x700C gravel tire on to a Bontrager tubeless ready rim (disc wheel).
The tire seems to want to 'dip' in one spot, indicating the tire bead is not seated properly. Usually on my road bike I would solve this by inflating the tire to like 100 psi, and it would pop into place. However., this tire is rated at 50 psi MAX. So I am unsure how high I can pressurize it before I run into any problems? I tried pumping it up to 70 psi already, to no avail.
What is the max pressure I can safely pump it up to (to seat the tire, not to ride it)?
Other things I should try?
Thanks!
#7
more daylight today!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 12,230
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 43 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5008 Post(s)
Liked 3,515 Times
in
2,440 Posts
I wouldn't have an issue going upwards of 150% of the max PSI just to see if it'll seat.
But the closer you get to 150% be careful and fearful. Wear eye protection just in case. Maybe gloves too, but so far I've not had anything but the tires blow off the rim with no damage to the tire. I just remounted them, used more slippery stuff on them, either soapy water or baby powder and was good to go. The tubes didn't survive any attempt and made a really impressively loud noise as it blew.
But the closer you get to 150% be careful and fearful. Wear eye protection just in case. Maybe gloves too, but so far I've not had anything but the tires blow off the rim with no damage to the tire. I just remounted them, used more slippery stuff on them, either soapy water or baby powder and was good to go. The tubes didn't survive any attempt and made a really impressively loud noise as it blew.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I used some soapy water, gave the whole tire and rim a good soak, and it worked!
I did have to pump it up to about 60-65 PSI before I heard the tire pop into place. I guess with some tire/rim combo's you do have to exceed the max tire pressure to get it to seat properly.
Thanks for the suggestions all!
I did have to pump it up to about 60-65 PSI before I heard the tire pop into place. I guess with some tire/rim combo's you do have to exceed the max tire pressure to get it to seat properly.
Thanks for the suggestions all!

Likes For maartendc: