Preparing your carbon rims for CX season.
Cross will be here before we know it. To help you hit the season with your equipment at 100% let’s tackle one of the more time-consuming tasks. While it’s hard to argue against tubeless — the ease of setup of tubeless and tread pattern options available across every brand make it an easy and probably more cost-effective setup — there are still some advantages to running tubulars. These include the ability to use lower tire pressures in muddy conditions with no chance of burping the tire, and an unmatched, confidence inspiring ride feel that you will notice when cornering at speed. A clear disadvantage is the potential of a flat that could ruin a perfectly fine tire. Which brings me to this how-to guide.
So it’s time to replace your tubular tire. Here is a step-by-step to cleaning and preparing your carbon wheel for gluing a new tubular tire:
Remove the tire starting opposite the valve stem by working the bead loose from both sides until, working the tire off the rim from both sides and then peeling it off, pushing down with the wheel braced against the floor.
You can use pretty much anything to clean alloy rims, but carbon requires more care.
What you will need: solvents that are safe for carbon wheels such are Acetone or Goof-Off (do not use mineral spirits because it can void a warranty), something softer than metal like a wooden popsicle stick or plastic scraper, shop rags or scotch brite blue pad, and latex gloves.Work in a space with excellent ventilation. Expect to spend at least 30-60 minutes cleaning. Take this time to check over your wheel for damage: how is the spoke tension, how is that hub, that brake rotor? Patience, elbow grease and your favorite the Cyclocross Radio podcast help.
Place the wheel in a truing stand if you have one. Apply the solvent to the rag, not to the rim, and start rubbing. For the spoke holes dab the soaked rag to the spoke hole area and work the dried glue loose with the wooden popsicle stick. Don’t use a metal knife or you will damage the rim.
Clean up with rubbing alcohol and your wheel is ready for a new tire.
Once your wheel is ready for the new tire we have a comprehensive guide here to help you glue up that tubular. It’s not too early to start looking for deals on tubulars before stock is low. I begin searching eBay in the summer; it’s been my go-to source for the past 3 seasons.
Nothing says #crossiscoming like a set of fresh new tubulars arriving on your doorstep.
