I have a Kinesis wheel and it definetly has a leak. I want to repair it and haven't a clue as to how. I would like to avoid sending it back to Kinesis for what I am confident wil be an expensive repair. What has worked for you? Thanks in advance...
sleder@ix.netcom.com

 

You can try taking the tire off, and running additional silicone sealer around the center seam. Ensure the bolts are torqued to around 15 lbs, without air in the tires, if mounted. Also, you might ask Kinesis what they charge to rebuild a wheel.

 

Thanks Bill. The tire is in need of replacement anyway, I don't think I have much to loose by trying the silcone route 1st. Any specific kind or regular home depot clear silcone?
Thanks.

 

If I were doing it, much as I like the GE Silicone Clear II, I'd search the net to see if there is an industrial strength version, which I would use. I don't recall what heat range GE II is good for, but I'd bet there's a silicone variety with higher heat tolerance.

 

Kinesis charges $35 labor and $24 for hardware (new bolts, nuts and valve stem) to reseal a wheel. You would need to add freight to this, which is about $25 each way. The right way to reseal is to disassemble the wheel, remove all the old silicone, prep the parts that the silicone is going to touch with toulene, reassemble and reseal. I do not recommend you do this yourself.