What do I need before starting?
- Floor pump / Air compressor. (do not use mini pumps or C02 to inflate!)
- Plastic tire lever. (do not use screwdrivers, metal tire levers, or sharp tools!)
- Soap & water solution: Use a small bucket and mix 1/4 cup of liquid dish soap to 2 cups of water.
- Large brush with soft bristle to apply the soap & water solution.
- Cardboard box with open top or bucket. This is used in the sealing process (Photos 9, 10).
- Hand drill, 3/8" or 7/16" drill bit, small hand file for de-burring.

1: Enlarging Valve Stem Hole
Before you start this step!
If you have any Tubeless Rim (UST, Bontrager, etc.) do not enlarge valve stem hole and SKIP THIS STEP! If enlarged, you will not be able to use tubeless valve stems.
Why do I have to do this?
The valve stem hole needs to be enlarged to eliminate the bump at the valve stem and help make inflation easier. (This will not affect the rim's ability to use tubes)

Procedure
Enlarge ONLY the inside valve stem hole of your rim cavity! Presta valve stem enlarge to 3/8" or Schrader valve stem (Downhill/Freeride) enlarge to 7/16". De-burr the hole after drilling with a small hand file. The sharp edge will cut and damage the rim strip.

2: Installing Rim Strip
Before you start this step!
Most Rims/Downhill or Freeride: Remove your tube and leave existing rim tape.

Mavic UST Tubeless: Remove your valve stem, and do not drill valve hole.

Narrow Rims/Mavic XC717(old 517 & 317): Remove rim tape and install 1 or 2 layers of included thin nylon spoke tape, pull the tape tightly while applying and overlap 2". Carefully cut a hole for the valve stem. On these Rims you should drop your rim strip into your soap and water before installing. The slippery soap will help it fit in the rim cavity.

Mavic 521/721: Instead of using the included nylon spoke tape, use 22mm wide Velox rim tape. This will build up the center of the rim and help the tire inflate.

*For more in depth see Rim Compatibility.

Procedure
The rim strip is designed to go up to the sides of the rim & seat under the bead lock (photo 1). To install the rim strip start with the valve stem and finger tighten the nut (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN, it will damage the rim strip). While installing, equalize the stretch all around the rim, and leave NO NARROW SPOTS. To help push the rim strip under the bead lock, use a plastic tire lever. Do not use screwdrivers, metal tire levers, or sharp tools!

Helpful Tips
To aid in evenly stretching the rim strip, coat the rim strip with the soap & water solution. This will lubricate the rim strip and help equalize the stretch.

3: Mounting and Inflating
Before you start this step!
Always use safety glasses when inflating! DO NOT add sealant until you can successfully inflate your tire. The sealant does not help with inflating, the soap & water solution does! Practicing this step will reduce wasting of sealant and familiarize you with the inflation process. Note: some non-tubeless tires have weaker beads and are not recommended to be used with any tubeless system. (See the recommended tires section)
Procedure
Mount your tire on the rim using a plastic tire lever; DO NOT use screwdrivers, metal tire levers, or sharp tools! Use the soap & water solution to cover the inner part of the tire and rim strip with soap suds, do not cover with too much liquid. This is the area where the air will escape during inflation (see photo 2). Hang the wheel to fully suspend the tire with the valve stem toward the top (see photo 3). Inflate to 10 psi with an air compressor or floor pump. The tire may now be leaking air; this is normal when inflating the tire without sealant and will be taken care of in step 5. Once you are comfortable inflating the tire, proceed to the next step.

Be sure to use soap and water

Helpful Tips

• - If the tire fits too tight on the rim and does not seat on the bead or inflate properly, remove your existing rim tape and use our thin nylon spoke tape. Use 1-2 layers over the spoke holes, pull the tape tightly while applying and overlap 2". Carefully cut a hole for the valve stem.
  
• - If the tire fits too loosely on the rim and does not inflate, add additional layers of tape or use a thicker rim tape like Velox. This will build up the center of the rim and help the tire inflate.
  
• - While using the soap & water solution, apply mostly soap suds.
  
• - Use a high volume air compressor and remove the valve core to increase air flow, or use an air blow gun on a compressor and blow air into valve stem. This flows much more air into the tire.
  
• - Hang the tire (valve stem at top or side). While inflating, slap the top and sides of the tire (around valve stem). This will help trap the air in the tire and aid in inflation.
  
• - For unused tires that are not inflating, mount the tire and inflate with a tube to 35 or 40psi. This will stretch and shape the bead to help inflate the tire tubeless.

4: Adding Sealant and Re-inflating
Before you start this step!

• - While shaking and pouring sealant, the bottle must be inverted (see photo 5). The sealant contains micro sealing particles; these particles need to be suspended for maximum performance.
• - Cut the Yorker spout at first line (see photo 4). Shake the bottle thoroughly to suspend the sealing particles, and then attach the Yorker spout. -Before pouring sealant, invert bottle with your finger tip over the spout and hold for 5-10 seconds and move finger to side and fill scoop/2oz bottle/injector (see photo 5). This will allow the sealing particles to collect in the tip of the spout.

Cut spout hole at fist line

Shake and pour inverted

adding sealant to tire using the scoop provided

Adding sealant with optional Injector

Adding sealant with optional 2oz bottle

Procedure

• -Pay close attention to the sidewalls. There are small holes in most tires around this area causing slow leaks. Re-apply the soap & water solution as needed; it will bubble showing any holes or leaks your tire may have.
• -To successfully seal these holes, hold the tire and rim vertically in front of you and pause for 10-15 seconds, this will allow the sealant to puddle to the bottom of the tire. Now shake the tire toward and away from you with quick short strokes. This will cause the sealant to slosh onto the side walls and seal any small holes you may have. Now, rotate the tire 4 inches to one side and repeat until you have gone around the tire. This should only take 30-40 seconds (see photo 9).
• -To complete the sealing process lay the tire flat on an open cardboard box for 5 minutes; the tire should be parallel to the ground allowing the sealant to seal any small leaks on the bead area. Next, re-shake, and flip tire to opposite side for an additional 5 minutes (photo 10). -Repeat the sealing process until all small leaks are sealed, this should take less than 30 minutes even with difficult tires! Spinning the tire will not seal small leaks on the sidewall, you must shake.

Helpful Tips If your tire goes flat or loses significant air pressure then you have not successfully sealed all of the holes and leaks. Re-inflate to 35-40 psi, re-soap sidewalls, and repeat the sealing process.

Shake wheel to coat inside of tire

Lay tire parallel to the ground

For visual installation instructions watch the movie on installing rim strip