I've been running a pair of Vittoria Terrano XC tyres for ages and they've been great. Then a few days ago I found the front tyre flat. I removed a few thorns and found a leak in the sidewall that the sealant probably wasn't reaching, sealed this and it stayed up; then the rear tyre went flat.
Having removed thorns from the rear tyre it's stayed up but the front has gone completely flat again. I can find no leak at all using a water bath and with the valve submerged there seems to be no leakage from there either.
There's plenty of sealant in the tyre.
What am I missing? If the tape needs replacing I'd expect to find some leakage in water.
I might just try new tyres (the current ones have been well used) but thought I'd ask.
Have you been for a ride since doing what you describe above? I'd be tempted to put another half a syringe of sealant in via the valve core and take it for a ride.
Riding cures leaks. Make sure sealant is still liquid and go for a spin.
Have you been for a ride since doing what you describe above?
I haven't, no. I've had a bad lower back so the bike's not been ridden for a while.
Riding cures leaks. Make sure sealant is still liquid and go for a spin.
That seems to confirm the course of action then. The sealant is still fluid but I'll add a touch more. I did pull out some almost carpet tack sized blackthorns so there was a fair bit to seal.
Hoe quickly are they going flat?
It seemed fine after 24 hours but flat after 48. I'll take it for a spin (I've put a little extra sealant in). If it's still problematic I'll check the tape and perhaps replace the tyres.
Just sounds like degradation of the tyres, and sealant potentially, reality is that rubber degrades with usage, exposure to sun, etc, etc, areas that have had thorns and damage that were temporarily fixed by sealant may not be anymore, with the sealant degrading as well, it happens. New tyres or a tube are the usual fix.
If it’s still problematic then dunk it again. Air has to come out somewhere, but it just might be slow enough that you don’t notice bubbles at first
Make sure there’s enough sealant and then ride it a bit. Most of my tyres lose air if they’re left unridden for too long. Keeps it sloshing over the insides of the tyres.
Well after more sealant and a ride the front tyre's stayed up, sadly the rear hasn't!
Seems odd that both should start misbehaving at the same time (they've been faultless up until now), perhaps it is degradation of the rubber or tape.
I can't be assed faffing with them any longer so I'll change the tyres. Is it alright to reuse the sealant, I'm a bit short?
Just syringe the sealant out from the puddle once you unseat the bead. Most of it will be fresh.
It’s the bike punishing you because you don’t ride it enough and it feels neglected. 😉
Try over-inflating. This can show up holes that are almost sealed but not quite. Once you've found the hole stuff a repair string in there and you'll be good. Had to go through this just this week with my MTB.