Subject: Re: tubeless tires Posted by: Al on November 21, 2004 at 11:20:30: In Reply to: tubeless tires posted by gregg on November 20, 2004 at 13:22:24:

Message: >I have a set of hutchinson octopus tubeless tires that go flat in 2 days. how do I find a leak and then how do I repair tubeless tires. I guess the FIRST question that comes to mind is: * What rim(s) do you have the tires mounted on? Also: * Are you certain that the tires were mounted properly (i.e., a properly cleaned bead prior to mounting)? * Are you certain that the rims have do not have a flat spot? You find the leak the same way as with a regular tire's tube -- you submerge it in water (soapy water, if possible). Pump some extra PSI into the tire (try 60 PSI) to force air out of the "bad" region. If/when you actually get a puncture, I believe you would patch it the same way you would patch an automobile tire ... that is, the patch goes directly on the inside of the tire casing (after prepping, of course). Hutchinson makes a tubless tire patch kit. I believe you can actually use any tire sealant (e.g., SLIME); but, there are certainly some (e.g., STAN'S) which are designed for tubeless tires. I guess that in a worst-case-scenario you can insert a tube.