[Healeys] wire wheel questions

[Bob Spidell]

Hoo boy ...

I don't have experience with 'factory' tubeless wires, but have run tubeless for many years with 'aftermarket' seals.  
In fact, I'm heading to Santa Cruz this morning to pick up a tubeless wire that has been repaired by John Blake of JB's 
Wire Wheels (John has some, uh, 'interesting' stories to tell about Dayton and Dunlop and their owners).

Properly applied, the seals work well (John etches the metal prior to applying the sealant).  However, you cannot 
tighten the spokes or, of course, true the wheels without breaking/removing/replacing the seal.  Also, as I just found 
out the hard/expensive way, when you change tires--e.g. buy new--you run a risk of disturbing the seal and getting 
leaks; I had 2 of 5 wheels have this problem.

To me, running tubeless is worth the hassle.  If John ever goes (completely) out of business I may have to reconsider; 
there are very few people with the expertise to maintain and fix tubeless wires.

Bob


On 7/6/2012 6:28 AM, warthodson at aol.com wrote:
> Dayton Wheel & perhaps others are offering tubeless wire wheels. As I
> understand it, they apply a layer of silicone to the spoke nipples the prevent
> the air from escaping.
> How reliable is this?
> Gary Hodson
>
>
>


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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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