rruff
Explorer
Can you seat the tire with a hand pump?
Fat bikes
- Thread starter p nut
- Start date
Can you seat the tire with a hand pump?
p nut
butter
With a floor pump, yes. (No way with a mini pump). I usually have to wrap a strap around the circumference of the tire and ratchet it down some. This spreads the beads out, which then makes solid contact with the rim bed, allowing it to air up and eventually seat. Compressor's easier, but I've not needed it.
Be sure to use lots of soapy water. It helps seal, and more importantly, lubricates the bead to help it seat. I've even used straight up dish soap at times.
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With tubeless specific rims and tires, this is much easier where some times you don't need the strap method.
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deuxdiesel
Observer
Has anyone tried the Bontrager Flash pump yet? Supposedly you pump up an air reservoir and the evacuate it into the tube or tire all at once. The idea is great, but $120 is steep for a pump
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
I've used the Bontrager pump, and it definitely works. I prefer using the Airshot, although it's hardly inexpensive either. Here's a little diddy I wrote for Singletracks.com
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/m...asy-airshot-rechargeable-air-canister-review/
I think it's a bit more effective than the Bonti pump. It's also easy to carry when I travel just in case I need to replace a tire. BTW, I've been able to mount my last few fatbike tires as tubeless right out of the gate with no fussing with split tubes, pre-mounting with tubes, etc. I'm also pretty picky about the tire/rim combos I use.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
I will have a review up next week of the Diamondback El Oso Grande. All things considered, for the value, not a bad rig. Needs to go on a serious diet, but for the money, I think it's a good option.
Isn't that the same bike Costco made an attempt at selling about a year back?
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
Don't have a clue. My guess is not, but I do know DB has had other bikes on offer through Costco as well as REI, Performance, etc. Their distribution has certainly been a little...loose.
They are making some better product than they have in years. I have been riding their all carbon Haanjo gravel bike for roughly six months, even doing a race in Idaho on it, and think it's pretty great.
monkeyrider
Observer
Don't have a clue. My guess is not, but I do know DB has had other bikes on offer through Costco as well as REI, Performance, etc. Their distribution has certainly been a little...loose.
They are making some better product than they have in years. I have been riding their all carbon Haanjo gravel bike for roughly six months, even doing a race in Idaho on it, and think it's pretty great.
which race? I'm looking for some gravel events out that way. The only one I've heard of so far is JayP's pursuit.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
Rebecca Rusch invited me as a guest to ride in her event, Rebecca's Own Private Idaho. Pretty fantastic. Beautiful course, but it was a ball buster. I didn't do the full hundo as I was riding with a pack full of cameras and stopping to take photos, which was actually quite nice. It allowed me time to stop and enjoy the ride, not something I've typically done when so focused on results. Great event to just hang out and enjoy the views and the town of Ketchum. Extremely well run event.
Looking forward to those photos...
monkeyrider
Observer
Christophe, I'm curious what you think of the Salsa Bucksaw on snow.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
It's fine. The squish only has much benefit when riding over hard snow that has been chopped up with footprints and ruts. Otherwise, I don't feel there's any advantage to having it. Even then, that benefit is pretty modest and not a reason to buy a Bucksaw. The Bucksaw is getting pretty niche with the new crop of FS mid-fat bikes.
monkeyrider
Observer
Thanks, I've got a friend who is considering buying one. She loved riding a 27.5 x 3 FS bike this summer. I thought she might like the bucksaw in summer and it would still allow her to ride on snow in winter. One bike two seasons.
Christophe Noel
Expedition Leader
That's the reason to buy a Bucksaw. The FS just doesn't justify itself in the snow, but it also doesn't have any detriment aside from an extra few pounds. If speed isn't high on your priorities, the Bucksaw makes almost everyone a better rider in most terrain. Not to say you can't completely haul the mail with it - particularly downhill.
monkeyrider
Observer
That's the reason to buy a Bucksaw. The FS just doesn't justify itself in the snow, but it also doesn't have any detriment aside from an extra few pounds. If speed isn't high on your priorities, the Bucksaw makes almost everyone a better rider in most terrain. Not to say you can't completely haul the mail with it - particularly downhill.
That was my thought. The big tires give her a lot more confidence on dirt and rocks. I figure she can ride it on snow as well.