tube in a tubeless spoked wheel
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tube in a tubeless spoked wheel - 4/23/2008 10:42:55 AM
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jeh
Posts: 8
Joined: 4/10/2008
Status: offline
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This week isn't going as well as I hoped. I wanted to go to a wider front tire on my 94 FXDWG. I ordered a 3.25" X 21" 60 spoked wheel on ebay for $140.00, and a Metzeler ME880 120/70V-21 for $96.00 from Cycle Gear. The rim showed up and I was surprised to see it was tubeless, the center of the rim was filled with a vulcanized rubber compound of some kind to seal the spokes. I think sweet, I don't have to buy an tube. Although, I will say I was a bit skeptical about a spoked wheel being tubeless but what the heck, I would give it a shot. The tire arrives from Cycle Gear and I take the rim and tire to the local Cycle Gear store to be mounted and balanced. I pick up my now completed wheel and take it home. Later that evening I decide to put the wheel on the bike but I noticed it seemed low on air. I fill the tire up with air and then take it around back and set the wheel in the pool and sure enough, air was bubbling out at 2 spokes. So much for my confidence in tubeless spoked wheels. Well, needless to say I wasn't to happy, for one I have a brand new leaky tubeless wheel and two, Cycle Gear apparently mounted the tire and didn't check for leaks before wasting the time to balance it and give it to their customer. The vender for the wheel said I can ship it back to him and he will send me a new one. My question for you all is this, should I send the wheel back and make another attempt at a tubeless spoked wheel or should I just put a tube in it like I was originally thinking I would need to do. I just am not very confident in the tubless spoked wheel, especially with the heat here in Arizona. I picture the rubber drying out and shrinking away from the metal. Well I am open to any thoughts and opinions other then buying a mag wheel, it is out of my budget range at this time.
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RE: tube in a tubeless spoked wheel - 4/24/2008 12:33:13 AM
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Javieret
Posts: 235
Joined: 9/8/2006
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If I was you, I would put a tube into the tire. It's more safe for as you have seen that the air can go out of your tire for the rims.
I would like to see any pic of your new tire, as I want to put the same tire in my FXST. And if you let me ask, have you had to replace you fender or the stock one bolts?
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Regards,
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RE: tube in a tubeless spoked wheel - 4/24/2008 8:55:54 AM
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Lundee
Posts: 213
Joined: 1/13/2008
Status: offline
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x2 on the tube thats what I did on my front wheel
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