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Figure 1: Roughen the rim |
Chapter 3: inspection, adjustment, and lubrication
Before mounting a tire, read about sew-up tires. Also make sure that the tire is the correct size for the wheel on which it is to be mounted. Use only rim cement that is specifically marked for gluing tubular tires. If you have further questions, or do not understand these instructions, consult your dealer.
Read this document completely before starting this multi-day process. It has many steps and a specific order.
This is a multi-day procedure. On the first day, you stretch the tire without glue. On following days, you apply layers of glue that must completely dry (usually each layer dries for a full day) as you prepare the rim and mount the tire.
Truing stand
120 grit sandpaper or emery cloth
Acid brush
Acetone
Clean rags
Floor pump
Knife or scrapper
Protective gloves
Tubular glue (mastic). We recommend Vittoria or Continental glue
Stretching the tire will make it easier to install, and make sure it fits the rim. You may want to repeat this for practice because after there is glue on the tire, you only get one chance.
1. Without glue, mount your new tubular tire on the rim to which you plan to glue the tire.
2. Inflate the tire to 10-20 psi (1-1.24 atm) less than the maximum rated pressure.
If your are gluing a tire onto a rim that was previously prepared, simply scrape off any loose or old glue and go to the next section.
1. Remove the tire from the rim and set it aside.
2. Place the wheel in the truing stand.
3. Put on the protective gloves.
4. Starting at the rim’s valve hole, lightly sand the surface of the entire tire bed with 120 grit.
Sanding removes remaining mold release and leaves a texture for the glue to grip.
5. Apply a small amount of acetone to a clean rag (Figure 1).
6. Starting again at the rim’s valve hole, wipe the sanded area of the rim.
This cleans the rim so that it is ready for glue.
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Figure 1: Roughen the rim |
Follow the glue manufacturer’s installation instructions for using their glue, especially for suggested drying times. The first layer of glue on a rim must be very thin and you must allow it to dry for 24 hours. This first layer is the foundation of the correct attachment of a tubular tire.
1. Place the wheel in the truing stand.
2. Put on the protective gloves.
3. With the acid brush, apply a thin layer of glue to the rim’s tire bed, edge to edge, all the way around the rim (Figure 2).
4. Inflate the tire just until it rolls over and the base tape is exposed.
5. Apply a thin layer of glue to the base tape.
6. Allow the glue to completely dry.
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Figure 2: Apply glue to tire bed of rim |
1. If it is not already there, place the wheel back in the truing stand.
2. Put on the protective gloves.
3. With the acid brush, apply a second thin layer of glue to the rim.
4. Inflate the tire just until it rolls over and the base tape is exposed.
5. Apply a thin layer of glue to the base tape.
6. Allow the glue to completely dry.
Tighten the removable valve core before gluing the tubular on the rim.
When riding, the valve stem can rattle in a deep section rim. To reduce the chance of noise, prior to this procedure wrap a layer of electrical tape around the valve stem or apply a drop of glue on the side of the valve stem.
As this process nears completion, it is important to work quickly before the glue dries.
1. If it is not already there, place the wheel back in the truing stand.
2. Put on the protective gloves.
3. With the acid brush, apply a second thin layer of glue to the rim.
Let the rim stand for a few minutes. Do not apply any more glue to the tire.
4. Place the wheel between your feet on a clean, dry surface, with the valve-hole facing up.
5. Deflate the tire and place the valve stem into the rim’s valve hole.
6. With your hands at the right and left of the valve, grasp the tread and sidewall of the tire and press down as you work the tire onto the rim bed (Figure 3).
7. Continue working down the tire, pressing it into rim until there are only a few inches of the tire remaining outside the rim bed.
8. Pick the wheel up and slide the tire on the remaining few inches by pushing with your thumbs (Figure 4).
9. Check the alignment of the valve stem. If it is not straight, slide the tire on the rim until it is.
10. Quickly center the tread over the rim.
Place the wheel in the truing stand and look closely at the alignment of the base tape in the rim. If the base tape is not centered over the rim, move the tire sideways so that the base tape is equally exposed (Figure 5). Also check that the tread runs straight.
11. Inflate the tire to slightly less than its recommended pressure and check the base tape and tread alignment again.
This is the last time you will be able to move the tire around. When the glue dries, you will not be able to move it.
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Figure 3: Insert the valve stem and stretch the tire |
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Figure 4: Lift the tire over the rim, don't roll it in the glue |
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Figure 5: Rim tape centered, and not centered |
1. Inflate tires to the manufacturer’s maximum recommended pressure.
2. Check the rim for glue that might be on the braking surface or other areas.
If there is excess glue, use acetone and a clean rag to clean the rim.
3. Allow the glue to dry for roughly 24 hours.
4. After with the glue is completely dry, test the mounting strength.
With the tire fully inflated, try to roll the tire off the rim using a moderate amount of force. If the tire holds, it is ready to ride.
Note: You should occasionally check the adhesion of the tire to the rim to ensure the glue is still holding.
