Seat a stubborn tubeless bead

Skill level 2 of 4 · Tune-upRepairModerate20 minTubeless tire

Tire sealed to the rim with tape and liquid sealant, no tube. Sealant plugs small holes. Lower pressure without pinch flats. Needs tubeless-ready rims and tires.

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Tools

Floor pump with gauge: Topeak JoeBlow Sport III ($$)
Isopropyl alcohol 91%+: isopropyl alcohol 91% ($)
Tubeless tape, valves + sealant: Stan's NoTubes tubeless kit ($$)
Tubeless booster / charger: Airshot tubeless tire inflator ($$)

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Steps

Remove the valve core for more air flow.
Soapy water on both beads.
Push the beads into the rim's center channel, then inflate fast (a charger pump or air compressor helps). Never inflate above the lower of the tire and rim maximums (hookless: 72.5 psi / 5 bar or less).
Listen for both pops. Let the air out, add sealant through the open valve, refit the core, inflate to pressure and spin the wheel.

Diagram

Sliced across, like cutting through the tireTire, tape and valve

Tubeless: tape, valve and sealant (section)

Signs it needs doing

Slow leaks
Dried sealant

Problems this fixes

Wheel wobbles