Zzij in my Tubeless Conversion isn't lasting long, Less than 6 weeks Options

[Freester]

I am on the verge of giving up on my Ghetto tubeless experiment.

On the whole I am pleased. I have had very few punctures where I have had to stop and fix since the conversion. But the Zzij (JRA Wheel Milk) is drying out really quickly. I reckon I don't get any more than 6 weeks with 100ml per tyre. Where I ride is pretty thorny and flinty so I think a lot of the loss may be due to punctures I don't even know about. But refilling the wheels with sealant is getting expensive. I've used nearly a whole party pack sized bottle of JRA wheelmilk (~15 quids worth) since April. At this rate tubes and puncture repair kits is WAY cheaper.

I knew I had dried out today as my wheels were not holding pressure between rides and this morning I had 2 small punctures that did not self seal and needed fixing with a tubeless repair kit.

Anyone else with a mysterious vanishing zzij problem?

Maybe the puncture fairies are stealing it?

[1gearnoidea]

i havnt got round to doing my latest wheels(ghetto)..but my last wheels were still fine after 3 months of heavy use....u could still hear the milk inside...to seal a puncture, it would only use a very very small amount..not enough to get rid of 100ml even with many punctures, i would have thought....i only put 60ml in as well??..is the valves leaking????

[Doug]

The tyres you use have a huge impact on how long the fluid lasts. When I used UST tyres the stuff lasted 6 months or so. Now I'm onto normal tyres it's down to 3 months between refills. What tyres are you using?

[1gearnoidea]

good point doug, i had good results whilst using bonty tubesless ready tyres...

[Gareth]

I would hazard as Doug already has that 'porous' tyre walls are the main problem. If your system has saved you from a lot of punctures then it has saved you a lot of hassle however, is that something you want to get in to? Try 'Tubeless Ready' tyres as these have well sealed sidewalls resulting in a much longer lasting fill.

[Freester]

Gareth and Doug - you may have hit the nail on the head. I am using Maxxis none UST (High Roller 2.35 back and can't remember Maxxis front).

I have noticed it looking a bit foamy around the side walls. I thought once sealed that was it? Obviously not...

[Gareth]

Running porous sidewall tyres converted to tubeless with Latex isn't about 'easy' it's about light. Manufacturers add extra butyl to the sidewall of the tyre for Tubeless Ready which otherwise is like your shirt more or less, it doesn't hold air, or liquid very well. You could try some Stan's which has a better reputation for sealing porous sidewalls but I can't guarantee it will more than double your refill cycle time.