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Used carbon rims with TL tyres - what to do next ?

Hi all

ive just bought a nice used set of Hunt 30's which are a year old and fitted with a pair of Schwalbe Pro tubeless tyres.  
First time I've had tubeless so looking for some advice 

1) should I renew the sealant or just 'top up'? If the sealant is already good and hasn't dried and then I top up is there a chance I could put too much in?

2) what tools do I need to buy and take with me on a ride now I've got tubeless ? Different levers, plug repair kit etc?

Thanks in advance 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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15 comments

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emjay49 | 3 years ago
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I couldn't be convinced to run tubes ever again.

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wtjs | 3 years ago
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You're all failing to convince me to go for tubeless!

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Chris Hayes replied to wtjs | 3 years ago
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Can't say I blame you.  They're fine when they're working - but a sonofabitch when they're not.  I spent about 6 hours in the garden last summer trying to get a set to stay up.  Was convinced it was the valve seat.  Turned out to be crap rim taping by yours truly - the kind and patient people who run Tri-Harder told me... This is the abridged, pre-watershed version of this story! 

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wtjs replied to Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
1 like

They're fine when they're working

This is an unacrimonious dispute where the 2 sides can simply accept the difference of opinion. Mine is that when you see hedge cutting, you'll have to get off and carry the bike. Hawthorn's anti-cyclist disposition makes Lancashire Constabulary look like Chris Boardman

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Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
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Just top up the sealant just to make sure.  I use about 1/3 of a bag od MuckOff, which is colourful and seems to work...it's viscous at least.  

I've had a few punctures, some which have sealed and some which haven't - like the two I got on Friday due to the tree cutting in Canary Wharf which has written off the tyre.  I've never managed to get the plug things to work, despite buying a Lezyne set followed by an even more expensive Dynaplug... I take innertubes....same as I used to....and hope I don't have to use them....same as I used to. 

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hawkinspeter replied to Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
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I can recommend the Dynaplug racer set which isn't cheap but works well: https://road.cc/content/review/265660-dynaplug-racer-tubeless-repair-kit

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Chris Hayes replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
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Yes - that's the one I have.  I'm spitting blood trying to plug a couple of holes with the damn things right now.... Trouble is, they're right on the apex of the tyre. 

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hawkinspeter replied to Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
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Two holes? How big are they as I've had a bigger cut (approx 5-10mm) in Schwalbe Pro-Ones that was too big for anchovies and I ended up binning the tyre (which was only a week old as well).

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Chris Hayes replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
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They're about 2-3mm, so they might mend.  I'll give it a go tomorrow, but for now I'm using my summer bike because it's SUNNY! 

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hawkinspeter replied to Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
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Chris Hayes wrote:

They're about 2-3mm, so they might mend.  I'll give it a go tomorrow, but for now I'm using my summer bike because it's SUNNY! 

That's small enough that I'd expect the sealant to handle those. Out of interest, what tyres are you running?

Good luck with the anchovies.

(I've also spent hours trying to inflate a wheel with poorly applied rim tape - I've since learnt that if it's not working, strip off the tape and do it properly)

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hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
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I'd go for topping up sealant. Sealant tends to last approx 3-6 months after which it's either plugged loads of small punctures or dried up. The only real problem from having too much sealant is that your wheels will be heavier and maybe a bit sluggish if you've got pints in there (generally you want about 40ml sealant per tyre on a road bike).

I take a plug repair kit with me (only used it once) and a valve extender so that if there's an unsealable puncture I can use an ordinary inner tube (due to the deep rims though I carry a long valve inner tube anyway). Also, tyre levers and a CO2 cartridge for quick re-inflation (and a pump for when the CO2 is gone).

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danfitzjohn replied to hawkinspeter | 3 years ago
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Many thanks - all makes sense

Do you know if Its ok to top up sealent from different manufacturers as I don't know what the previous owner used 

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hawkinspeter replied to danfitzjohn | 3 years ago
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Never tried it, but I'd guess it'd be okay. I can recommend Caffélatex as my sealant of choice - buy a 1L bottle and it's relatively cheap.

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Drinfinity replied to danfitzjohn | 3 years ago
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Yes, I've mixed them. 

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OnYerBike replied to danfitzjohn | 3 years ago
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danfitzjohn wrote:

Many thanks - all makes sense

Do you know if Its ok to top up sealent from different manufacturers as I don't know what the previous owner used 

I don't think you're meant to mix natural latex and synthetic latex based ones (apparently they can react and turn into a jelly-like mess)

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