alixta

Ever tried getting a set of genuine Bontrager tubeless rim strips? 

After trying the LBS (in Brisbane), then contacting the Australian Trek/Bont/Fisher importer, then contacting the US HQ it became obvious that it wasn’t going to happen, at least not for the Rhythm Comp wheelset that came on the 2009 Gary Fisher Paragon 29er.

The best advice I could get was to covert it using a bunch of velox tape with Stans rimstrips over the top.  I gave that a go, albeit with only 1 wrap of velox, and it wasn’t too successful. Velox is not the heaviest stuff around but adding another few wrap didn’t seem like the best idea to me.

Plan B. Thinking if my ZTR Arch rims can work just with Stans yellow tape and no rim strip then why can’t these rims work the same? Seems the biggest problem would be the added chance of ‘burping’. Not a deal breaker so gave it a go.

First step, installing the yellow tape. I followed the instructions on Stans site (www.notubes.com), the videos are worth a watch even if aren’t going to install, he’s a character, anyway I digress.

Yellow tape installed, time to try inflating without the notubes goo. Aircompresser hooked up, a bit of tapping top of tyre (tip from Stan) and wooomph, pop, pop, bead seated. Too easy. There was a bit of hissing but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with goo.

Installing the goo is easy, just pop the tyre off enough to put a few scoops in then put tyre back on. Pump up to about 40psi and start shaking as per video instruction. The goo is amazing stuff the hissing goes away just like dunking a hot bit of metal in a bucket of water and it’s all sealed up.

Inflated the tyres back to 40psi and left overnight. Checked about 24hrs later and it had lost a few psi, all good. 

So far the setup has done about 200km without a trouble. No flats (obviously) but most importantly no burping, even running down as low as 18psi (with 52kg rider).

Thanks Stan, no thanks Bontrager (except for the cool wheelset and various carbon bits).