Tesa 4289 as rim tape and a leaky wheel - air coming from spokes -grr

mooby77

Active member
Jun 28, 2020
113
120
Snowdonia
Anyone have experience using TESA 4289 as rim tape, thinking of trying this as I have some, or recommendations on rim tape , i use muc off usually , 32mm for my 30mm rim.


I am having a problem with my 27.5 WTB I30 rear wheel with existing muc off tape , new rear tyre Maxxis shorty, replaced tyre inflated and popped the bead , no sealant but left tire overnight at in the morning flat , leaking through a number of spoke holes so guess I am going to have to remove and re-tape ?

Did not have any issues with the original tyre DHR II and muc off sealant combo.

Normally don't have a issue with tubeless either , first time I have experienced leakage through spokes , the sidewalls and valves appear to be airtight .

Cheers,
 

Amber Valley Guy

Active member
Oct 15, 2023
185
175
Alfreton
Did you fit a tube before leaving overnight? Spoke leakage could still be air from the valve area and not necessarily the tape over the spoke holes. Take the tyre off and check for loose tape or the tell tale 'tunnels' in the tape. If non detected, remove the valve, add more tape over the valve hole and only pierce the tape with something pointy at the valve position. Remove valve and install a tube, refit tyre and inflate to 40psi and leave for a few hours or overnight. The tube will squish the tape down firmly onto the rim and ensure good adhesion.
 

irie

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Subscriber
May 2, 2022
2,885
2,966
Chichester, W.Sussex, UK
Had much the same when fitted Maxxis High Roller 3 front tyre few weeks ago. Tyre deflated overnight (existing DT Swiss rim tape with Muc-Off sealant).

Looked like leaking between rim and tyre sidewall but pumped it up again just before going out, then after getting back it again deflated overnight.

Couldn't be arsed to take the tyre off and reseal it etc. so before going out next time put another 50mml sealant in the tyre and it's ever since remained inflated. Don't know why and don't care.

Next time before putting a front on will give the rim a really good clean and replace rim tape (with DT Swiss tape).
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,205
9,692
Lincolnshire, UK
I had a brand-new bike where the supplier had done the rim tape. The tyre would not stay up, sealant leaking from the spoke holes. I removed the tyre for a look and the tape was poorly applied. Not smooth, had ripples that spread around the rim, allowing the sealant to move around inside the layers of tape. I guess that eventually they found their way to the valve holes. Why didn't the sealant seal the gaps, like it did for @irie? He was lucky, and I (and @mooby77) were not.
 

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