Talcum tubes

Steve in Santa Fe · 12-09-2012, 12:55 PM

Having just spent the better part of an hour levering off a Michelin Anakee rear (hooohaaah those babies don't want to give it up), I am reminded of a trick bicycle racers use.

When installing a new tube, they rub it down with talcum powder...make is easier to install, position and remove. Plus it tends to make the tire less inclined to 'grab' the tube and spin it if pressures are low.

I am going to give it a run, as I had quite a time getting the tube out of this beast.

mcma111 · 12-09-2012, 12:59 PM

I put a few squirts of the talcum powder in the tire and rotate it to spread the talc before mounting the tire to the rim.

Off the grid · 12-09-2012, 01:03 PM

Old bicycle mechanics trick. Cuts down on snakebite flats as well. Use good stuff, 100% cornstarch powder, talc tends to clump while cornstarch does not.

MagyarMan · 12-09-2012, 01:38 PM

Caution: cornstarch can explode under the right conditions---no smoking!

warewolf · 12-11-2012, 02:11 AM

I have a big garbage bag with talc in it. Before fitting the tube, put it in the bag, hold closed but with lots of air in it so the tube has room to tumble as you gently shake it. Carefully remove the tube to avoid clouds of talc escaping. Loosely tie the bag between uses.

Insert the tube without the valve core. After fitting the tyre, inflate the tube to 10 psi then deflate again. This will untwist the tube and let it position itself. Fit the valve core and inflate to seat the bead then drop to required pressure.

dirty_sanchez · 12-11-2012, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warewolf

I have a big garbage bag with talc in it. Before fitting the tube, put it in the bag, hold closed but with lots of air in it so the tube has room to tumble as you gently shake it. Carefully remove the tube to avoid clouds of talc escaping. Loosely tie the bag between uses.
.

Deserving of an entry in the Shop Tips and Tricks Thread.

Dirty

Velociraptor · 12-11-2012, 09:05 AM

I always do that. Also spray soapy water on the bead so the tire will slide down into the rim on the opposite side of where you are levering the tire off the rim. Makes life so much easier. Works for tubes and tubeless tires.

12-09-2012, 12:55 PM	#1
Steve in Santa Fe ^OP Steve in Santa Fe Joined: Sep 2012 Location: Santa Fe, NM Oddometer: 9	Talcum tubes Having just spent the better part of an hour levering off a Michelin Anakee rear (hooohaaah those babies don't want to give it up), I am reminded of a trick bicycle racers use. When installing a new tube, they rub it down with talcum powder...make is easier to install, position and remove. Plus it tends to make the tire less inclined to 'grab' the tube and spin it if pressures are low. I am going to give it a run, as I had quite a time getting the tube out of this beast. __________________ Steve in Santa Fe 1980 BMW 100RT 2005 DR 650

12-09-2012, 12:59 PM	#2
mcma111 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: San Francisco,Ca. Oddometer: 7,989	I put a few squirts of the talcum powder in the tire and rotate it to spread the talc before mounting the tire to the rim. __________________ Steve in SF BMW's 58 R26 79 R100s 91 R100gs 87 Harley FXRS-SP ~ 06 KTM 625 SMC ~ 72 Honda CB750/915cc ~ 92 XR600/654cc ~ 95 XR650l/675cc ~ 03 CRF450r ~ 05 CRF450x ~ 02 XR650l/675cc ~ 86 YZ490 ~ 93 YZ80 ~ 93 XR650l Project

12-09-2012, 01:03 PM	#3
Off the grid Needs to STFU Joined: Jan 2008 Location: That buzzing in your earhole, CA. Oddometer: 7,778	Old bicycle mechanics trick. Cuts down on snakebite flats as well. Use good stuff, 100% cornstarch powder, talc tends to clump while cornstarch does not. __________________ Wedding = $25,000 Divorce = $500 Brazilian 2nd wife = Priceless 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 ABS

12-11-2012, 09:05 AM	#7
Velociraptor TrackBum Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle Oddometer: 461	I always do that. Also spray soapy water on the bead so the tire will slide down into the rim on the opposite side of where you are levering the tire off the rim. Makes life so much easier. Works for tubes and tubeless tires. __________________ 2009 KTM 690r Enduro in da house 2002 RC51 SOLD 2010 KTM 990 Supermoto R

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12-09-2012, 01:38 PM	#4
MagyarMan Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Chicken Necker Side Oddometer: 474	Caution: cornstarch can explode under the right conditions---no smoking!