Using an inner tube to 'set' tubeless tape

I would agree but I guess if the tape isn't completely air tight, the sir pressure might force its way through, whereas the tube would press it down without any leakage?

I do this almost by accident as I use a tube with any new setup just to get the tyre seated and the bead re-shaped if stored folded, then pop one bead off and remove tyre.

Top tip, brio trains work brilliantly to get the tape pushed down into the bead area

PJay
Free Member

I notice that some folk recommend using an innertube to help set the tape in place. Now I might be being dense (a fairly common occurrence), but if you have tyres that already hold air shouldn’t the air pressure alone do the same job (I was thinking of over-pumping them somewhat and leaving them for a while before replacing the sealant)?

I think the theory is that it makes sure the tape's thoroughly pasted on and maximises the stick and you can leave it for a while. Whereas if there's no sealant it might leak and go flat quickly, and if there is sealant it might get into weak spots.

I've done it in the past but tbh I'm not convinced it really does anything, not if you've got decent tape and you're fitting it right. It's probably more useful with stiffer tapes which are harder to get properly mashed against the rim

You can put way more pressure in with a tube than without.

Using a tube definitely secures the tape in a way that you can't manage without one.

Thanks.

The rear was losing a lot of air but when I got the tyre off and syringed out the tape looked welded to the rim so probably a hole in what was rather old & worn tyre. I had a spare & that seems to be holding nicely.

I'm not in a hurry to re-tape, but when I do, using a tube certainly seems worth a try.