TECH TIPS
GLUING TUBULAR TIRES
There is no industry standard for gluing tubular tires but these are procedures that Reynolds has used for years to mount tubular tires.
Read through this document once before starting to glue as this can be a multi-day process with many steps to follow in a
specific order.
NOTE: Before gluing and mounting new tires take note of the serial numbers located in the tire bed near the valve stem hole,
these numbers are needed to register online for your Reynolds Cycling warranty to take effect.
For more questions contact us at 877.798.3040 or email us at [email protected]
REQUIRED TOOLS:
-
Truing Stand to hold wheel. Use rags to protect stand from glue drips
Acid brush or similar
Acetone and clean rags (it is safe to use on Reynolds carbon)
Floor Pump
Knife or scrapper
Latex gloves
120 grit sandpaper or emery cloth
Glue of your choice. Be sure to read the instructions on the label for drying times and other useful tips
PREPARATION:
Begin by:
1. Mounting your new tubular tires onto the set of rims you will be gluing them to.
2. Inflate tires to within 10-20 psi of their max pressure (listed on the tire). This will help stretch the tire making it easier to install as
well as ensuring that it fits the rim. See below on how to correctly mount the tire onto the rim. You may also want to try mounting the
tire a few times onto the rim - once there’s glue on the tire you only get one chance without it being very messy!
Begin at valve stem and work back and forth down around the rim. With just a few inches left at the bottom lift the wheel up and slide
the tire on the rest of the way with your thumbs.
After stretching the tires for a day you are ready to begin gluing. This starts day two. First be sure to have all of your tools set out and
easy to access.
Remove the tires from the rims and place them aside. Take the front wheel and place it in the truing stand. At this point we recommend putting on latex gloves. Take the 120 grit sandpaper and starting at the valve core hole lightly sand the entire tire bed to
roughen up the surface. You only need to lightly sand the surface. This technique creates a tactile surface for glue adhesion and aids
in removing any mold release left on the carbon after being removed from the mold. Once sanding is complete, grab your clean rag
and apply a light amount of acetone to it. Starting again at the valve hole wipe the entire rim section that you just sanded. This will
again aid in removing the mold release and clean the rim so that it is ready for glue.
When through cleaning the front wheel, repeat the same process on the rear.
Reynolds Cycling, LLC | 866.798.3040 | [email protected] | www.ReynoldsCycling.com
TECH TIPS
GLUING TUBULAR TIRES - Continued
GLUING RIMS
You will be applying two thin coats of glue to the front and rear rims. Be very careful when applying the
glue so that you do NOT get ANY glue on the brake track surface.
Without removing your gloves place the front wheel back in the stand. Grab the acid brush and glue of
your choice and again find the valve stem hole. Begin by applying a thin amount of glue on the tubular
tire bed around the entire 360 degree rim bed surface from edge to edge, nearly touching the braking
surface. See the illustration below for reference. Repeat this gluing step on the front wheel a total of
two times. Once complete with the front wheel, complete this same step with the rear rim.
Set both wheels aside and move to the tires.
acid brush
GLUING TIRES
Again with your gloves on, grab both front and rear tires. Inflate them just enough until the base tape
rolls over and is exposed. Use the technique learned from gluing the rims, and apply it to the tires.
Starting around the valve and working your way 360 degrees around the tire apply a thin layer of glue
to the base tape. Do this twice, just as with the rims. Then do the same with the other tire.
At this point take a break. Read the glue manufacturer's instructions on drying times, which usually
ranges from a few hours to overnight.
Do not start mounting new tires until the glue has properly set up.
(Glue will become very tacky/sticky but not dry)
THE FINAL STEP
Day three or the third step begins with pulling on gloves and placing the front wheel back in the truing stand.
Apply one more light layer of glue to the rim in the same manner used previously. This will allow the
tire to move around to center the tread after you mount it to the rim. Do not apply any more glue to the tire.
Let the rim stand for a few minutes. You are now ready to mount the tire.
tire bed
rim
Move the wheel between your feet on a clean, dry surface, like a linoleum floor, with the valve-hole
facing up. Using the same technique as before and referring to the illustration, deflate the tire and slip
the valve into the rim. Grab the outside of the tire to the right and left of the valve hole and smoothly,
while moving downward, slide the tire onto the rim bed. Continue working slowly down until there are
only a few inches left. At this point pick the wheel up and slide the tire on the remaining few inches by
pushing with your thumbs.
Now working quickly it is time to center the tread. Place the wheel back in the truing stand and go around the wheel looking closely
at where the base tape is in relation to the rim. If there is base tape showing on one side of the rim and not on the other move the t
ire over so that it equally exposed. Also, check that the valve stem is centered in the hole.
Now inflate the tire close to its recommended pressure. Again check the base tape to make sure it is centered and also check that the
tread isn’t wobbling too far side to side. This is the last time you’ll be able to move the tire around at all. Once the glue has set,
it’s stuck, literally, the way it was put on.
Now check to make sure that the glue hasn’t gotten onto the braking surface or other areas. If it has, use the acetone and a
clean rag to remove it.
Now set the wheel and freshly mounted tire aside for roughly 24 hours to fully cure.
Repeat this final step in its entirety with the rear wheel and tire.
BEFORE YOU RIDE
After allowing the glue to cure 24 hours, take both front and rear wheels with inflated tires and physically try to roll the tire off the rim
using a moderate amount of force. If it holds, you’re ready to rip!
Reynolds Cycling, LLC | 866.798.3040 | [email protected] | www.ReynoldsCycling.com