How to Glue Tubular Tires to Zipp Rims

A tubular tire is a bicycle tire that eliminates the need for both an inner tube and outer tire by combining them into one strong unit. You need to use a special tubular rim, like the ones made by Zipp, to accommodate a tubular tire, and then glue them together for proper installation. Once you have the parts and materials together you can install them with little effort. You will have to allow drying time for the layers of glue, so work that into your plans.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle pump
  • Tubular glue
  • Paintbrush
  • Mineral spirits
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Stand the rim up in front of you so the valve hole is on top. The valve hole is the small hole along the surface of the rim that will hold the tire's air valve.

    • 2

      Place the valve of the tire in the valve hole and make sure that the tire is flat and straight on the rim. Push the valve as far through the hole as possible.

    • 3

      Work the tire slowly into place all around the rim. Start to the right of the valve and turn the rim as you slip the tire onto it.

    • 4

      Pump the tire to 130 psi with a bicycle pump and let it sit for a few hours or until the next day. Pull the tire off the rim.

    • 5

      Apply a thin layer of tubular glue to the base tape inside the tire with a paintbrush until the tape is just saturated. The base tape is the white tape on the inner edge of the tire. Let this glue dry for at least 24 hours.

    • 6

      Rub the outside of the rim with a cloth and mineral spirits to prepare it to accept the tubular glue.

    • 7

      Apply a thin layer of tubular glue along the outside of the rim where the tire will sit. Let the glue dry in between layers according to your glue's instructions. Add a third coat of glue to the rim, but only let it sit for 5 to 15 minutes. The glue should be tacky but not dry.

    • 8

      Insert the valve stem of the tire in the valve hole and pull the tire onto the rim as you did before gluing them. Keep the base tape facing down toward the rim and along the middle so that you can't see it from either side of the wheel.

    • 9

      Turn the wheel so the valve is on the bottom and pointing up, and press it down into the floor. This will help you push the valve stem securely into the valve hole and allow the glue to bond.

    • 10

      Pump the tire to your desired pressure and let it rest for two days before riding on it.