sagea88•3mo agoProlific Poster

Just figured out a better way to seat stubborn tubeless tires

For years, I'd just keep pumping with a floor pump and soapy water, maybe bouncing the wheel. It was a fight. About two months ago, I saw a mechanic use a ratchet strap around the tire's center tread. I tried it on a set of gravel tires that wouldn't seat. Put the strap on, snug it up to push the bead out, and hit it with the compressor. It popped into place in under 10 seconds. I've used it three times since with a 100% success rate. Anyone have other tricks for the really tough ones, like old wire-bead tires?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_fiona3mo ago

That ratchet strap trick is a total game changer, I mean seriously.

irisw733mo ago

Right? I saw someone use one to fix a wobbly table leg last week. Just cranked it tight around the apron and it's solid now. My mind was blown, they're good for way more than just tying stuff down in a truck.

williams.amy1mo ago

Bet the ratchet strap works way better if you put it on while the tire's still got a little air in it from a previous attempt, keeps the bead from slipping inward when you tighten it. @the_fiona hit on something too, those straps are just handy all around. Weirdest trick I've seen for old wire bead tires was someone using a hair dryer on low to warm up the rubber while pumping, makes it more flexible and seats easier. Another buddy swears by just setting the tire in the sun for 20 minutes before mounting, like direct sunlight on a hot day, no joke.