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

[mooby77]

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.

Tesa 4289 Tubeless Bike Wheel Rim Tape – Viking Industrial Products Ltd

Known primarily as packing tape, Tesa 4289 is also used extensively in the bike world as rim tape and more specifically for tubeless setups. It's thick, yet flexible enough to adhere to the inner contours of a bike rim, and is best applied under tension. For full REACH declaration please click...

www.vikingtapes.co.uk

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[irie]

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.

I certainly was lucky to avoid having to take the tyre off and start again. Long as it stays inflated while riding then fine. But if not then it's take the tyre off, clean everything and start again ... which I'd have to do either outside or in an unheated garage. Brrr

 

[mooby77]

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.

just to be clear , I prob wasn't , I did not put sealant in , just seated new tyre onto existing wheel with the original tape , normally do this first , then if ok , then I put the sealant in , give it a shake and then good to go.
Being tight , i don't use the sealant until I know I have a good seal , but maybe the sealant will fix the problem. ?
I'll re-check the tape tomorrow , it did look ok , and like I said with the old tyre with the same taped wheel , no issues, I'll fire in a tube overnight too.
I am going to be close to the specialized store in Bristol tomorrow, and they have this bliss rim strip last one , might give that a go

Specialized 2Bliss Ready Rim Strip

Specialized 2Bliss Ready Rim Strip Black £5.00

www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk

 

[RustyMTB]

It's a pain but if you're sure there's no gross taping error, I'd throw the sealant in & let it er...seal. IME if it leaks through the spokes, generally it's a taping mistake, if it leaks through the wheel sideall vents or anywhere near the valve, it's always the valve & counter intuitively, tightening the valve often doesn't work, it just distorts the valve bung.

You can also recover just about all the sealant with the lid from a rattle can, use it like a scoop.