How to inflate and seat a tubeless tyre that will not hold air 

It's Christmas Eve and I've spent most of yesterday and this morning trying to get a 32mm Panaracer Gravelking TLR on my rim. If you have tried EVERYTHING and I mean every trick in the book trying to get your rim to seat then you have come to the right place. My swollen blistered hands now bow down to the tubeless god of @highcarbrider. This worked like a charm. I ended up using a tie-down strap for my kayak and getting it hand tight with the ratchet buckle. Cheers for such a useful method. This will be my go-to now when it doesn't just pop on.

While sheltering-in-place, I thought I'd upgrade my tubeless MTB tires to a nice set of Maxxis. When I started the project it became quickly evident that I was going to struggle getting these tires to seat. So like any sensible person does, after praying, I went to RU-vid. After 3 hours of search for techniques like, use an inner-tube, soapy water, air compressor and so on. I finally ran in to your video, and I saw the strap and said ... man, that's not going to work. Since I had the soapy water and the compressor at this point, I thought I'd combine each of these and the strap method. Didn't have straps readily available, but I did have tie-down nylon rope, which fit tight and centered round the knobbies. I applied the compressor and it sounded like gun fire as bead seated in seconds. I smiled and said, I gotta thank High Carb Rider, so THANK YOU!

Wasted 3 hours before watching this. Instant success with this method, thank you so much.

I was blistered and bleeding and sore from trying to get my front tire to seat. Then I saw your video. A ratchet strap, bit of rope (because strap was too short) and two attempts later my tire is seated and solid. If I ever see you in person I'm buying you a beer or a coffee!

Thanks heaps!!! Best trick in the book. Repaired my rim and was told by multiple bike mechanics that it would never bead.. after a hour of watching other vids I finally found this and will now be back on the trails! Cheers man 😎

I've tried to get the tyre inflated for ages, I was about to give up. Tried your tip and got it first time, proper handy bit of knowledge!!

Man this is just what I needed! Used a ratchet strap from my truck and got a tire I had been fighting with to finally pop into place. Thank you for this tip!

Your "Strap Technique" was the only way I was going to get my Panaracer GravelKing Slick 700x38's installed onto HED Belgium Plus 28/28 rims. I used a 12' boat strap (about an inch wide), which could put considerable force around the circumference of the tire and rim. I don't think the toeclip straps you used would have held tight enough, but it was the same idea! Thank you for posting this, as it helped bring 4 hours of attempts and mopping up sealant to a close with a successful snap onto the rim!

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this as it worked for me when all else failed. Firstly, the tyres have been on my bike for about 3 years (Shwalbe pro 1 - “tubeless easy”, 25 -622). The bike is seldom used (4-5 months a year) so tyres are still in good nick and I routinely remove tyres, solidified sealant, add new sealant and refit every 10 months or so. Based on what Ive learned/read in blogs not sure if its a good idea to keep on removing completely as the bead seems to stretch and problems re-fitting ie just top up in future, but this results in build up in tyre. I’ve always managed to remove / refit previously without major issues using just a Topeak joe blow booster. This time, front tyre no problem, sealed first time (valve core removed and no sealant first to lock on to rim). The back wheel was a problem, tried for 3 - 4 hours…..I think because the tyres had been removed before the bead stretches due to refitting and hot environment (it can be 40 deg here in summer) and i noticed both tyres were easier to remove / install and never sat tight against central channel on the rim. I tried using schwalbe “lubricant” (soapy water) and booster which usually works, then mounting 1/2 the bead on each side using a tyre lever (wouldn’t stay up). In desperation I fitted an inner tube and inflated to lock on one side, deflated “(one side jumped off during deflation, so not locked on) removed inner tube and tried to inflate using booster, but still no joy. I even refitted inner tube and left inflated over night but as soon as i deflated tyre one side jumped off again. I used your method with 2 belts and the booster and worked first time :). Deflated tyre, both sides remained locked on and added sealant/inflated. When i fitted the belts, I had them on the tyre and then pulled 1 extra hole to give some compression to the tyre. Bit long winded but wanted give people ideas of what i tried and what eventually worked and I think that using the belt and the booster alone would have worked. Thanks again for your post.

Flippin' brilliant. An afternoon lost to constantly recharging a tubeless compressor to 160psi was saved first time with this tip. I achieved the same using a 1 inch ratchet strap (without the ratchet) which I suspect was a bit less fiddly than the toe straps. I got some 'interference' tension in the strap by looping the loose end round the hook a few times. Held it tight enough to push the air outwards, but gave way when it needed to. Thank you!!!

Thanks for this after trying to seat a road tyre for 2 hours tried putting a strap round it and it worked a treat .. most grateful cheers

This worked so well! I was able to install my tires with just a simple track pump with this! Thanks so much!!!

Thank you, saved me pulling my hair out with a Schwalbe Pro one that just didn’t want to seat. Tried your binding method and it seated first time 👍

Absolutely awesome technique! Thank you so much. Worked with zero issues via a floor pump.👍

Phew, this saved my day. After 2 hours faffing about with the rear wheel of my gravel bike, I took to RU-vid where I stumbled on your post. And 10 minutes later the tyre was sealed and pumped up. Thanks! Excellent suggestion!

Worked perfectly! I had been trying to seat a 2.6 MTB tyre with a standard track pump for 30 mins unsuccessfully. Then I tried this hack - I didn't have a rachet strap so used strong garden twine - and within seconds heard the satisfying "pop" of the bead seating correctly.

Absolute legend!!! I just used an old tube and twisted it enough to compress the tyre onto the rim. Worked first time. THIS should be the only video about how to seat tubeless tyres. If I could buy you a pint I would

Thank you for your tips. Mounting my new gravel bike tires is frustrating. Tried everything and fail. Luckily i found your clip. It's working great for the first try. Thank you so much.

Thank you soooooooooo much works like a treat. For me I used those tie down things for roof racks and it worked first time, literally was struggling for hours trying to do it!!

Holy smokes, I have been struggling with this MTB tire all day and stumbled across this. Thank you thank you! Amazing.

Thank you! I have spent my entire morning trying to work this out..... took 2 minutes with your advice!

Thank you so much……this really improved my mood this afternoon, fed up inflating bulk tank inflator to no avail……worked first time 👍

This was a great tip! I was flailing with my never-fail approach of removing the valve core and using an air-blast canister. I lacked a strap so I used an old road tube, wrapped it the way you did around a stubborn mtb tire, cinched it tight and tied a knot in the slack. It worked like a charm. Thanks!

Thanks for the help. My tires would not seat and this was the only way to get it working. Again thank you

Dude, thank you! Saved me hours of potential frustration. Used a ratchet strap on a road tyre, worked first time!

Was having trouble seating some 40mm Goodyear Connector tyres on Hunt 4 Season wheels and this trick did it....thank you!!!🙌🏼

Another positive comment, after many many attempts, I tried this technique and it worked, bravo!

I thought I'd tried everything, then I found your video and it worked first time. Thank you 😊

youre my new best friend... did this with a long velcro strap and it worked. my gosh, genius

Thank you so much for this. Used a 25mm cam strap (normally used for securing loads to roof racks and excellent for that) and compressor. Took me a couple of gos but 44c Raddlers now seated on their rims. Frustrating morning ended with happiness!

After an hour of failure, a quick Google, this video and a ratchet strap later my second tyre is FINALLY on. Cheers for the tip!

My sincerest thanks. Only took me 2 hrs to find your video

Gold. I never had issues with MTB tyres, but my new gravel bike rim/tyre combo just wouldn't play together. This had it solved first attempt.

Mate! This was brilliant. Makes so much sense and worked perfectly. After applying the strap we went round and pushed the tire in to create a basic seal. Then bang! Done Massive thanks.

Due to pandemic all the shops were closed so had to try set my flat tubeless tyre on my own (flat because of bad valve core). Tried for a day and wasted half bottle of sealant before resorting to youtube for tutorials. Did it on the first try using an old belt and a manual track pump. Definitely doable with a manual pump! 10/10

I have been inflating my tubeless tires with a floor pump for years with no problem. Today I couldn’t get it inflated no matter what I did until I came across this video… It worked great WITH MY FLOO PUMP in less than a couple of minutes. Thank you!

I used a ratchet strap with my mtb tire. It didn't seem to work until I pulled the tire bead against the rim while inflating with an electric inflater. Once I did that it started to work. Thanks for the tip, this saved me waiting around to get some rim tape off Amazon.

Thanks! Will save this one for the next time I have to change my tubeless tyre

Thank you very much, tried bunch of other things and only yours worked and from the first time!!! so glad i found your video!

OMG... I love you. I was just about to turn my wheel into a frisbee. I was seriously going to launch it across my yard. I've changed a few tubeless tires before, but this one wouldn't budge. 3 hours of swearing, jumping up and down, and ready to throw in the towel. Until I found this video. 3 minutes and it was done. I needed to have a good think about what I could use as a strap, then a light bulb moment. I had a large role of Velcro. I put it around the tire to get the initial length. Then slid it off, shortened it by about 1/2 inch, and worked it back over the tire so it was nice and snug. A few pumps with my foot pump and then... Pop, pop, pop... In there! Thank you so much.

DAAAAAAMN man, I've been trying so long to seat tires for a new bike, I've been buying the parts and just today got the brakes (only thing missing) but I've been trying to seat the tires for like 2 months, I just found your video and tied my tires around with some paracord and boom, seated right away. Thanks so much for making this video

Using bigger straps it worked on my lawnmower tires. Very nice. TYVM!

After 3 hours trying, this actually worked. Didnt use straps but used bungee cords, which worked straight away. Cheers

Thank you for the tip!! I was ready to burn my tire haha. I used a strap that came with an old bike rack and worked perfectly the first time!! Thank you!

Amazing, I just did tubeless setup for the 1st time using your method and it works and not only that I only use manual pump, thank you A+++

I watched this video in my effort to seat my tubeless gravel tire (Panaracer Gravel King 38mm, Reserve 30 carbon wheels). First off, thanks for the video! Then.. unfortunately that strapping did not work for me either. But what finally did, FYI for all reading this now, was to put a road tube in first, and then taking it out by carefully only removing 1 side of the now-seated tire, that got me halfway and the rest was some windex spray to lube the tire up so the other side could seat. Again, thanks High Carb Rider. RU-vid rocks

Thank you, ive been trying to get my tyre to seat without success, found your video on the off chance and it worked, i used zip ties and it bloody worked

This is a nice trick. Worked from the first time on both tyres. Thanks

Your the man !!! had tried tape but this worked with tie down and taking the core out boom done thanks mate

This looks very similar to the combo I bought to you...that explains the 15mins vs 2hrs I was up to attempting it 👍

Thank you, been trying to inflate the tubeless tyre in my 29" Anthem for three days now.... Your method worked FIRST TIME!!! 👍👍👍

Great stuff! Thank you High Carb Rider! Mavic Ksyrium S Disc + vittoria rubino pro iv tlr 10+ futile attempts on the rear wheel with soap, schwalbe tire booster and valve core removed. Cargo strap and a track pump with valve core removed popped right on at the first attempt. No soap no booster or anything else.

Thank you so much !! Sorted , also a small ratchet strap from pickup is great as don’t need to join small ones , works first time mint !!’

Worked a treat on my gravel bikes 700c tyre. Thanks.

Thanks for the tip. I used a 26' inner tube to hold my 700c tyre onto rim and it seated first time after many failures before.

Yep works, removed valve and used 2M buckle strap. 700x40C gravel tyres. Saves forking out on a tubeless specific pump. Thanks!

Worked perfectly on first attempt after hours of struggles👍

super thanx. I was struggeling a lot. with your tip it works!

Brilliant Thank you. Always struggled to fit tubeless Until today. I used longer straps and an small electric pump. The only thing that didnt happen was it didnt POP in to place. But I took the pressure up to limit of the tyre and wheel so I assume that because it was held on with straps it might never POP ON.

Used two leather belts (careful if you have a tight clearance to not put the buckle close to the frame). It worked great! Heard a few pops, pulled the belt to the side and kept pumping for a few more pops.

Thank you, it also works on my ride-on mower tyre

This helped me so much. Thank you!

Thank you! It worked for my fully deflated scooter Tyre.

For you guys having success with this method, are you using the park Tool inflator in this video, a hand pump, or some other (cheaper) adapter with a compressor?

I have a home compressor that doesn't develop much psi. At a gas station, I found High pressure to make it fill and catch the bead. Trying now with your method.

mate... you're a life saver. best advice 👌

Awesome hoodie and shirt, man!

Thank you for this video very helpful

It works like a charm!!! Although it took me somentime to put the stripes on, and be sure it sits in the middle of tire

High volume compressor with straps - good idea!

Cheers for the tip, and a thumbs up for the Death in my metal, not in my meals t-shirt :D

Thank you man! Freakin brilliant! First try, and even wo removing the valve!

I'm totally new to tubeless. Have a gravel bike, my lbs set it up tubeless the first time around. I had to remove the tire to patch some larger punctures from the inside and could not figure out how to get my sloppy tires to seat again, even with a compressor. Watched this video, didn't think it would work or even if I had a long enough strap. With nothing to lose I dug out a tie down strap, wrapped it around my baggy tire and fired up the compressor and in seconds I could hear the beads popping back in place. Can't believe it worked but it did. Thanks a ton for posting this and saving me a trip to the shop!

Interesting method 👍. Just wasted a lot of time trying to seat a Giant Gavia Fondo. Both just pop of the rim as soon as the air is let out. Not even sat on the tyre but suspended. Might try this next time.

Worked first try!! Thank you!!!😅

I knew i could trust a guy who wears a death shirt!!! Thanks a lot you saved my sunday ride!!

Omg just done this hack it works! Used a ratchet strap, just got to get it tight but not to tight it squashes tyer. My tire was really slack panracer 29er firesport. 2.35.

Thanks for this mate

Thanks - good idea. I have to give it a try.

Worked great. Threw a ratchet strap on a tubeless dolly tire that wouldn't seal. Instant inflation. Thank you!

Thanks a lot. This is very useful

just used the tube and it worked wonders, it was kinda hard, wrapping it around the tyre but patience did it

So if you puncture and need to put a tube in, how do you get it to seat again? I run tubes and can’t get a tyre to seat properly at 100psi (no pops), then pops back off around 80psi. It’s a 38c tyre so need to run it at ~40psi.

Worked a treat!

Where do you get those straps? I have my first tire not airing up with compressor

brilliant idea

Great tip!! Worked perfectly on my 700 x 40 gravel tires!! Thank you!!

💪 worked great! thx a lot 🤙🤠

This method Only works with high pressure pump?

Wow thanks for the tip this worked great !!! It is my first time going tubeless . Last week I put a set of Schwalbe Pro 1s on a new set of ENVE AR Disc wheels. No problem getting the tires on . I thought I'd give it a shot inflating with a regular floor pump .No way it wasn't going to happen seen your video and they held air on the first try . Now there is no reason to get a special pump!! Thanks again.

Where do i get that straps

I must have the worst matching tyres and rims, I have tried soap and water extra tape I think I have 4 layers now and the rim of the tyre still doesn't touch the rim of the wheel. I have put sealant in the tyre and now this and nothing works air just leaks everywhere. Looks like I will just have to get some inner tubes.

I love you man, works like a charm 🙏🙏🙏🙏👏🙏🙏

Worked first attempt, used a long lashing strap with a buckle. Worked so good I cut it in perfect length just to use for this method in the future 😅👍

Awesome trick, it does work. Just one attempt

Worked great thanks

So... if tubeless tires are such a pain in the arse... WHYYYY???

Great idea if it works but tried this method 5 times with soapy water and with airshot and didnt pump up took it too bike shop and they got it on. Schwable tyres are a nightmare to get but once they bead they hold well .

Thank you for this. I’m sick of bike shops and their bullshit

I tried everything and with Zip ties with no luck. Going to switch to tubes ☹️ my setup Schwalbe pro on TL 25 on DT swiss PR1400 Oxic dicut