[cabanaboy]

I'm getting my fat bike ready for winter riding. After the last several months in the basement the tires remained sealed. I would sporadically pump air into them, but as expected there is no sealant left. Is it alright to just pull the valve cores out, inject about 4oz of sealant into each tire through the stem and replace a new valve core? Or do I should I pop the tires off, clean the beads/old sealant and do the whole tubeless process over again?

I know people say they have issues with injecting sealant through the valve stems, but I have never had any problems doing so. That's how I top off all my bikes throughout the year. If I'm installing a new tire I will pour into the tire before I seat it.

 

[127.0.0.1]

well...spin the tires and see if you have a big lump unbalancing the wheel.

no unbalance, add sealant and go

unbalanced, makes sense to dismount and clean out the dried up goo

but...really you should dismount and clean up the old stuff whenever you have to ask yourself 'should I?'

 

[brewidaho]

In addition to 127.0.0.1 says...I remove the wheels, shake the wheel to hear if there is sealant inside. If no or very little sound, I add a couple ounces of sealant. During the season, if wheels lose a couple lbs overnight, it's time to add some more. Just don't risk being out there and losing a seal. Much better to be proactive in a warm shop!

 

[steadite]

I’m on team “leave it alone if it seals”. Just add some more sealant. I don’t think balance matters a bit with fat tires.

Every time I try to take a used tire off with dried up sealant, I have a hell of a time getting the beads to re-seal even after cleaning—there’s always some bit of old latex on the bead that it leaks thru.

 

[Stahr_Nut]

I say if its holding air and you don't hear a big Stan's booger bouncing around then leave well enough alone. But keep in mind I'm the kind of guy who only rides his fatbike when there's enough snow to warrant it and in those conditions most anything that will cause a puncture is covered up. Since you mention storing yours over the summer months I assume you might be the same.

 

[cabanaboy]

Thanks all, I ended up topping off and putting new valve cores in. I agree, the times that I have the most trouble setting up a tubeless tire almost always involves a used tire. Since I studded these myself last year, I would hate to have to scrap a tire because I couldn't remount. At that point I would probably put a tube in.

Stauhr_Nut you are correct, I almost only use my fat bike on snow. So chances of a puncture are reduced from normal trail riding.