Tubeless tires were first introduced in the early 1950's for all motorized vehicles. It was not until 1999 that tubeless tires become commonly used on bicycles. Tubeless tires are more resistant to pinch flats and give the rider better handling while riding off road. Tubeless tires can be expensive, thus a homemade tire could be a cost effective alternative.
Step 1
Remove the tires, tubes and rim strips from your old rims. Use sandpaper to clean the inside of the rims of any residue and dirt. Sand down any burred spoke edges. Wipe down the inside surface of the rims with a clean rag.
Step 2
Tear the strapping tape into a half inch strip. Use the strip to wrap the entire circumference of your rim over the spoke holes with as much tension as you can. Overlap the ends of the tape by about three inches. Smooth down any air bubbles in your tape. Press the tape into the rim to insure a tight adhesive bond.
Step 3
Cover your strapping tape with electrical tape. Be sure that your electrical tape covers both edges of your strapping tape. Overlap the electrical tape by about three inches. Press the electrical tape into the rim to remove any air bubbles and to insure a tight adhesive bond.
Step 4
Punch a hole through the tape where the valve stem goes through the rim. Do not let the tape pull away from the rim. File away excess tape from the hole so that you can see a small amount of metal around the valve hole.
Step 5
Dip the rubber end of your valve stem into the liquid latex. Push the valve stem through the hole. Install the metal donut by tightening it down as much as you can by hand.
Step 6
Mix your sealant by using one tablespoon of liquid latex, ¼ cup of water, a tablespoon of windshield washer fluid and a tablespoon of Slime. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
Step 7
Spread a line of dishwashing liquid all the way around the outside tire walls. Install one tire wall over the rim wall.
Step 8
Hold your tire upright as you pour the sealant into your tire.
Step 9
Carefully install the second wall of your tire into the rim. Be careful not to spill sealant out of the tire.
Step 10
Quickly inflate your tires to 60 PSI using an air compressor. Roll and shift your tire around so that the sealant will coat the entire inside of the tire.
Things You'll Need
- Roll of electrical tape
- Roll of strapping tape
- 2 valves from an old inner tube
- Set of tires with rubber walls
- Jar of liquid latex
- Medium grit sandpaper
- Dish soap
- Slime tire sealant
- Air compressor
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