Ask the experts

[rideit]

I have one! I have a pile of Fox (‘19-20, 34 and 36) airshafts that somehow separated from their bags. Anyone have some tips on how to definitively size them, maybe with a pic or two?
Not sure where to measure them from/to.

Thanks!

[westoxified]

i may have missed if there was discussion already but does anyone have experience with the new XTR hubs? pretty sure they axed sylence but maybe something else about them is terrible. I am not afraid of cup and cone btw.

read something on emptybeer about issues but have a line on some ex511s with xtr that is hard to pass up...

[ticketchecker]

Could I get someone to look at QBP to see if there's any prayer of getting a Surly Straggler 650b size 50cm?

[HankScorpio]

I managed to wear down the 45t ring on my 12 speed XT cassette after only ~1400 miles or so. Not a lot of stock out there but I did find a 12 speed SLX replacement. I see the 45 and 51t rings on the SLX are different than than the XT's. Question is are the 45 and 51t rings on the SLX stronger but heavier or softer but heavier than the XT's?

[westoxified]

Could I get someone to look at QBP to see if there's any prayer of getting a Surly Straggler 650b size 50cm?

no stock, no etas

[ticketchecker]

no stock, no etas

thanks mang

[Powder Ho]

Finally, switching to tubeless. I know late to the party.
Favorite sealant and why?
Temp range: 30-90F Humidity: very dry, lots of single digits.
I usually get 0 to 1 flat/ season (2000 miles), cactus or pinch.
Price is least important.
Thanks

[SchralphMacchio]

I’ve had better performance with Orange than Stan’s (never had a weepy or frustrating slow leak tire with Orange)

[Falcon3]

Also a fan of Orange. It either seals or it doesn’t. I use the Endurance and can usually get a 32oz bottle for under $30.

[Roxtar]

Finally, switching to tubeless. I know late to the party.
Favorite sealant and why?
Temp range: 30-90F Humidity: very dry, lots of single digits.
I usually get 0 to 1 flat/ season (2000 miles), cactus or pinch.
Price is least important.
Thanks

Every time some company comes out with a new wonder-sealant, they're always compared to Stans. The really good ones get labelled "As good as Stans".
Do the math.

[Iowagriz]

No problem with Stan's - except with Specialized tires, it seems to make them bubble from the inside out in 12-18mos

[Boissal]

I managed to wear down the 45t ring on my 12 speed XT cassette after only ~1400 miles or so. Not a lot of stock out there but I did find a 12 speed SLX replacement. I see the 45 and 51t rings on the SLX are different than than the XT's. Question is are the 45 and 51t rings on the SLX stronger but heavier or softer but heavier than the XT's?

I think the difference between XT and SLX cassettes is the number of aluminum sprockets (lighter but softer than the steel ones), 2 for the fancy stuff, 1 for the peasant stuff. If you killed the 45t aluminum sprocket on an XT cassette going to the steel one of the SLX should be much better.

[grskier]

If cactus is a main concern, glitter in the sealant can be a good friend.

Not sure if there are other 'hacks' that work better.

[Roxtar]

No problem with Stan's - except with Specialized tires, it seems to make them bubble from the inside out in 12-18mos

Bad news for Stans. I'm sure a lawsuit from "S" is coming.

[joetron]

Could I get someone to look at QBP to see if there's any prayer of getting a Surly Straggler 650b size 50cm?

You've gotta find the most historically hardcore Surly dealer that was stocking Surlys before the Bikepocalypse. They aren't shipping bikes or frames to anyone unless they were an official dealer before the mayhem.

[Powder Ho]

No problem with Stan's - except with Specialized tires, it seems to make them bubble from the inside out in 12-18mos

Thank you for all the info everyone. I was leaning towards the Orange Seal.
Since I have Specialized tires that seals the deal.

[evdog]

Every time some company comes out with a new wonder-sealant, they're always compared to Stans. The really good ones get labelled "As good as Stans".
Do the math.

Make your own. 1 part latex mold builder, 3 parts water. Add sparkles if desired. Can confirm it "works as well as Stan's" But costs $20 for 64oz. And less if you to to Michael's store with a 20% off coupon.

edit to add - https://smile.amazon.com/Environment...6103853&sr=8-2

[HAB]

IME:

-Stan's is generally the reference, and works pretty well. Their Race stuff does a better job of sealing larger holes than the standard goo, but dries out faster.
-Orange Seal does a good job getting new tires to seal, and doesn't dry out as fast as Stan's but isn't as good at sealing punctures/holes.
-Finish Line is useless.
-Initial impressions of Muc Off are really good, but I need to put more time on it.

[XXX-er]

I've used Stan's and Orange

Orange cuz thats what I could order easily from MEC.ca with other stuff, no shipping charge on >50$ worth products, Stan's when I could scam it from shop bro, I couldn't say one works > the other but the free stuff was free

I got some of the Orange valve stems with removable cores and those are nice cuz you can just remove the core to inject more product,

The Orange comes in a bottle with a handy tube to inject more product into the valve stem so those are handy to hang on to for topping up the tire, there must be other MFGers who make the same kind of stems

[HAB]

I've used Stan's and Orange

Orange cuz thats what I could order easily from MEC.ca with other stuff, no shipping charge on >50$ worth products, Stan's when I could scam it from shop bro, I couldn't say one works > the other but the free stuff was free

I got some of the Orange valve stems with removable cores and those are nice cuz you can just remove the core to inject more product,

The Orange comes in a bottle with a handy tube to inject more product into the valve stem so those are handy to hang on to for topping up the tire, there must be other MFGers who make the same kind of stems

I can't think of the last time I ran into a tubeless valve that didn't have a removable core.

[jackstraw]

I can't think of the last time I ran into a tubeless valve that didn't have a removable core.

Is that even a thing? Seems like almost all tubes even come with a removable core.

You can buy the little bottle of Stan's that is sized to fit right into the valve. Pull the core, squirt and go. I usually keep it in my truck in case somebody needs it.

[skaredshtles]

Finally, switching to tubeless. I know late to the party.
Favorite sealant and why?
Temp range: 30-90F Humidity: very dry, lots of single digits.
I usually get 0 to 1 flat/ season (2000 miles), cactus or pinch.
Price is least important.
Thanks

I've been using Continental's Revo sealant with no issues for the last few years.

[HankScorpio]

I think the difference between XT and SLX cassettes is the number of aluminum sprockets (lighter but softer than the steel ones), 2 for the fancy stuff, 1 for the peasant stuff. If you killed the 45t aluminum sprocket on an XT cassette going to the steel one of the SLX should be much better.

Thanks, man. I suspected this was the case. Peasant level SLX cassette it is.

[Dee Hubbs]

Re: Sealant - for road I use Stans and inject it through the valve. For MTB I use Stans Race, which has more/bigger particulates, that needs to be poured in the tire. It’s chunks are too big to go through valve.
I love the little 2oz Stans bottles, I keep a few in my car/gear bag to use as a top up a tire if someone needs a tire repair at the trail head.
One of the bike brands I build comes with 2 in the factory box. I just save them and dump 2 oz from my bulk bottle into the new builds.

[Roxtar]

Re: Sealant - for road I use Stans and inject it through the valve. For MTB I use Stans Race, which has more/bigger particulates, that needs to be poured in the tire. It’s chunks are too big to go through valve.
I love the little 2oz Stans bottles, I keep a few in my car/gear bag to use as a top up a tire if someone needs a tire repair at the trail head.
One of the bike brands I build comes with 2 in the factory box. I just save them and dump 2 oz from my bulk bottle into the new builds.

What he said.
Whenever I have to break a tire bead I add Stan's Race and use Stan's regular when adding through the valve.