How To Change Tubeless Mountain Bike Tire, by April - Ride MTB™ on YouTube. 8 min 30 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 30 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Put the bike in a repair stand or flip it over, then take the wheel out of the frame and set it flat on a clean surface.
Press the valve to let all the air out, then unscrew the valve core with a valve core tool so the bead can move freely.
Push the tire bead away from the rim wall all the way around on both sides to break the seal. Old sealant often glues it in place.
Slide a tire lever under the bead and hook it to a spoke, then use a second lever to lift the rest of the bead off the rim.
Pull the old tire off and check the inside of the tire, the rim tape and the spokes for thorns, glass or a sharp edge that caused the flat.
Fit one bead of the new tire onto the rim by hand, working around the wheel in one direction, and leave the second bead outside the rim.
Pour in the sealant, or add it through the valve once the bead is seated, using the amount printed on the bottle for your tire size.
Push the second bead on with your hands, starting opposite the valve, and only use a lever for the last bit if you have to.
Inflate with a tubeless pump or compressor in quick bursts until the bead pops into place and the tire starts to hold air.
Shake and spin the wheel, check the sidewall for sealant seeping out, then set the pressure to the range printed on the tire.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the valve at the top when you pour sealant in so it does not run straight out of the rim.
Wear gloves and use a rag, tubeless sealant stains clothing and can irritate your skin.
If the bead will not seat, remove the valve core and try again so the air goes in faster.
Torn or worn rim tape is the usual reason a tubeless tire keeps losing air after a change.
Questions
Do I need a compressor to seat a tubeless tire?
Not always. Many tires seat with a track pump if you remove the valve core and pump in fast bursts. A compressor helps with stubborn or new tires.
Can I reuse the old sealant?
It is usually not worth it. Old sealant dries out and loses its ability to plug holes, so pour in fresh sealant each time you fit a tire.
How often should I top up sealant?
Check every two to three months, or sooner in hot, dry weather. Spin the wheel and listen, if you cannot hear liquid moving, add more.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
