Cheap Tubeless Tire Inflator hack for mountain bikes!

Learn how to make a cheap tubeless tire inflator hack for mountain bikes. With this ghetto tubeless tire inflator you will be able to pump tubeless mountain bike tire without a compressor. For under $10 bucks, we can hack a home depot garden sprayer into a cheap homemade air compressor to inflate tubeless MTB tires. This trick is a super cheap way to inflate mountain bike tires without a pump. This homemade tire inflator will work better a inflating mountain bike tires on some rim and tire combinations than others, and your milage may vary. Give a go and see if it works.

[@saywhaatnow]

Home Depot is going to be so confused about why these are all sold out. hahaha. Also, you did GREAT talking on camera. Charismatic and entertaining as always.

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

Ace Hardware is the place

[@SGMTB]

Thank you! The mountain biking community has needed this for awhile! It's great that there's now a solution.

[@SardonicBastard]

Hot tip: just keep the valve core in your teeth. You'll know exactly where it is, and I've only swallowed 3 of them!

[@daeganpatterson9630]

DullBoyJack yeah u could just fish em out later

[@TheBlip01]

Currently waiting to poop so I can finish installing my new tires. Thanks!

[@TheLAKERSareGodsTeam]

@@TheBlip01 you stole my joke haha

[@Edeljokaa]

Awesome! I bought pretty much everything I would need for the conversion but so far I didn't know how to work around not having a compressor without blowing myself up. Much appreciated!

[@TrailFeatures]

Clever hack! This is also pretty safe because you have high volume at low pressure, and you're not modifying anything so the blow-off valve (that yellow thing) will help you keep your digits. As someone who never had luck seating tires, I would have rather spent $10 on this hack instead of wasting $50+ on a Specialized Air Tool Blast that still doesn't work most of the time. Also, I think this video was well done! You'll get more comfortable in front of a camera the more you do it. Soon enough you'll stop thinking about thousands of people silently watching you from the toilet.

[@LeeTanczos]

Trail Features *fact!! Lol

[@EricRybarczyk]

This is a great example of why I love your channel... Original, helpful, and entertaining. Keep up the good work Phil.

[@andycocktails]

Saw this vid just after struggling to seat a tyre with my floor pump. Bought a sprayer today and it works a treat! Cheers Phil!

[@renatopalazio6625]

Dude, you're a natural in front of the camera! Haha... great job, killer hack, gonna pick one up - thanks!

[@danmaduff8919]

Awesome discovery and tutorial. Just bought one of these for under $9. After re-sealing valve hole with plumber's tape it still took several tries but then...IT WORKED! Thanks to Phil I set up my first tubeless gravel tire at home!!

[@willdriver6523]

Already had this for washing my bike after a ride, I go search KZbin for tubeless compressor options, ran into this, worked like a charm. Thanks!

[@haredr6511]

That worked amazingly well!!!!! Seated a tire on the very first try. I modified a bit by using a more flexible hose to connect to the valve stem. Thank you so much! Saves buying a compressor or having to go the bike shop. And, it’s portable!!!

[@pirochu666]

Thank you so much for this absolutely awesome $10 DIY idea! From the very 1st try, no trial/error, works like a charm! About 50~60 pumps would do it for a 29" tire. (I wasn't able to put in ~70 pumps in it, as it gets too much/hard.) Thanks, Phil!

[@LPM147]

Forgot to add... used this exact method a few years back (went to the local Home Depot and picked up the exact same unit). Just used it again to install a new tubeless tire and it still works like a charm. About 45 pumps to seat the gnarly beads on a Maxxis High-Roller II. One of the smartest hacks I've ever come across. Dude should get a medal. 👏

[@The_Sampler]

That's friggin' genius!! I may have to get one solely for the dual purpose of being a shower 🚿

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yeah I want to modify the sprayer piece so it's a bit better for showering purposes. I think I'm going to shorten and heat up the long black tube so I can bend it into shape.

[@infamousbugg]

Absolutely brilliant, I second Phil's Bike Hacks. I got a new bike a couple weeks ago that has TR rims, taped up and ready to go. I decided to give TR go last weekend, so I bought sealant and a pair of Maxxis Ardent 2.4" 27.5 tires. I spent hours struggling with a track pump trying every trick I could find, only to be defeated in the end. I wasn't even close to getting the bead to set. I bought the 2gal version of the HDX Sprayer, it was $15 at Home Depot. I totally ditched the spray handle (it can be re-attached to the hose if needed) and just kinked the hose. Pulled the valve core, pumped the sprayer for a couple minutes, sprayed some soapy water on the beads, held the hose on the valve and released the kink. Both tires seated on the first try. I got about 20psi into the tires from the sprayer, then put the core back in and finished it up with my track pump.

[@impotentpotables]

Skills with Phil - Thanks for the video. It worked out well. After 2 attempts, the MTB tire seated to the rim. I've tried other methods posted on blogs and youtube vids = wasting 6 hours. Your approach took me 30 mins to complete, including time spent at Home Depot. Alton Brown shared that he has a strong preference for tools with multiple purposes. This is one of them. Inflate tires and portable hand wash/shower.

[@MTBdropIN]

Good job man you are more of a natural than you realise!!!

[@scottklop]

First off THANK YOU! You just saved me $50. This works great and for anyone thinking about buying the 2 Gal. option for an extra $5 that’s what I did for more volume, and it works exactly the same as the 1 Gal model demonstrated.

[@smoothmoose]

Awesome, thanks. I am doing my first tubeless tire change this weekend. Will give this a try!

[@skoofer]

genius! I already used a larger 5 gallon one of those to make a camp shower (almost exactly like Jeff had in the other video)...now I need to see if I can get it to pull double duty like this too!

[@duncancritchley3300]

Just found this after struggling to mount plus size tyres on 38mm rims. Worked first time. Excellent tip.

[@alonzocalvillo6702]

This is genius ! I will make me one of these pronto .I have been making my own stuff thanks to videos I see here. Stuff that I made include a bike stand, derailleur hanger adjuster, truing stand and dishing tool.Most of my project were made with stuff that I already had laying around.

[@barriosmad]

Thanks for the idea, but it can be improved. I bought the same sprayer and remover the handle/valve which restricts flow. You can bend the hose and clip in place while pressurizing and then the flow is much higher. Works great.

[@mikecampbell7558]

Thanks for this, tried it out today and it worked almost (okay needed to refill a bit) perfectly...this is the first time I've ever used tubeless tires or tried to mount them and it was a breeze. Thanks Man!!!

[@aliinthebay7419]

Was just looking at one of these yesterday thinking how many purposes it would serve. Going to order one with your link. Brilliant! And your tutorial, speaking videos are great!

[@chasetherooster]

This method works great! I bought the 2 gal version because I have a 29+ wheel set. Just set up some 29x3 tires no problem. I did have to shim the clear tube with the angle cut a bit with some electrical tape to get a tight seal. Thanks for the info.

[@johncox9660]

Traffic video Phill . I never thought that would work . Outstanding innovation .

[@kodiakrider7612]

What a great trick. Actually works. Only issue I had was the clear tube came flying out of the hose. But I just held it in as I released the air and it was good. Thanks!

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

Damn, I've been using my own version of this for years and never told anyone because I thought everyone else knew. Now I feel like a dick for not telling anyone.

[@Bjoggi308]

Same here. I made mine as soon as I saw the first pictures of a 2 liter soda bottle conversion.

[@RichardHammondMTB]

This works so well! I just did my 2 bikes with this method and one was a fat bike!! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@johnp8536]

nice hack! pretty ingenious. thanks for sharing it with the world.

[@StaggerLee68]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you. Was festering around not wanting to deal with expensive canister floor pumps and really not wanting to deal with tubeless. Just got some gunk and did it with a quick stop at Home Despot first. Old cyclist but first time dealing with setting up tubeless. Bang on easy first go each wheel, easy peasy even with a tiny XC hand pump. I did pump that bastard up probably far beyond it's normal pressure, put a towel over it in case it did pop, and about when it starts hissing.. hit it. Just rode my new bike. Great for washing the bike and yourself as well. Thanks again, problem solved forever and dirt cheap. Cheers. Keep on Truckin'

[@pabloramon768]

Lovely! I was in the market for a compressor. NOT ANYMORE!!! Thanks Phil!

[@KestrelYI]

In New Mexico all summer and needed a way to set beads! Thanks again, Phil! Great hack, and worked the first try! :)

[@peterandanntowle5959]

This wAs awesome. I had this setup in my garage and totally put it to use today. Stoked on a free setup right in my garage. My first ever tubeless setup, and I dot it done.

[@Paul-oe9sy]

My local bike shops didn't have any air shots in stock so I bought one of these recently and it still works. great hack.

[@jdbforYHWH]

Keep up the good work brother - It's much appreciated!

[@shutcorea]

I can't believe it actually worked! I bought it 3 or 4 months ago but never really used it until last week when I installed CushCore. It seated the bead on my 2.3" minion's on the first try! Thanks Phill!

[@gregchristie2763]

Great hack mate worked for me here in the UK. I used a 7 L sprayer removed lance.. the long tube with a spray nozzle on the end... and then inserted a brass Presto 2 Schrader adaptor into the trigger assembly... had to put a bit of PVC tape around the thread to make it a nice tight fit in the Trigger assembly... works a treat

[@dangr123]

Sweet! Thanks for this video. Just got this to work first try.

[@RGCastro7]

Great find, Phil! Thank you for sharing.

[@MrGeico97]

Love listening to you talk like this!! keep it up my man super entertaining.

[@arraizdc]

Great video. Just tried this to mount a 43mm Panaracer GravelKing on a set of DT Swiss G540 700c rims. Worked on the very first attempt. I’m a believer.

[@cxpitt]

Just came across this. Awesome vid Phil, thanks for the tip!

[@JerryPark_dataman]

Amazing solution that works! Wife is happy that I didn't spend on a compressor that would add to the mess in the garage.

[@stevensalvatore3661]

Freaking BRILLIANT! I was just trying to decided what I wanted to do for an inflator when I go tubeless

[@eagleheart1086]

Thank you for this. Just got one and it works great!

[@stewarthayne8304]

I used this idea. Slightly different model. I used a straight tube with a vice grip to crimp it and release. Worked great!

[@danytheunicorn95]

Super useful! thanks man, I will try it out, I literally spent so many hours with a normal pump until I took it to the gas station XD, rookie mistakes, this is so much better, faster and cheap! perfect for me

[@sergiomtb55]

First time I tried this, it did not work at all. but a few days later, while blowing up my tire with a tube in it, I found that the tire was actually bad. So I replaced the tire and this thing worked great. Thanks for the idea Phil.

[@LeeTanczos]

You rock lol. This has to be one of the Top tips of all time

[@Flyers2929]

awesome idea and video Phil! definitely picking one up!

[@davidwoodkotch7752]

Usually just do it with a hand pump, which sucks, but I had a bike sitting for a few months so the tire had a few small creases that weren't sitting perfectly so doing it by hand was impossible.. I remembered watching this 2 years ago and rewatched. I grabbed the 2 gal version of thr same pump for $5 more and it set the bead perfectly on the first try... Excellent hack

[@brianfromsyr]

Loved the video! Thank you for sharing the hack!

[@meibing4912]

Great video. Tip: once seated there no need to worry about the air flowing out again before pumping to full - its not going to "fall out".

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I always remove the valve core to help maximize air flow, in which case the air will escape if I'm not quick.

[@WillosWorkshop]

You my friend are a legend and I enjoy all your vids keep up the good work bro!

[@GunnarSoroos]

Thanks for this hack. Totally gonna buy a couple and do this.

[@vanislezr2787]

How could ppl dislike this. You’re a legend! Worked like a charm

[@grimaceg1253]

Good job on the video Phil and way to think out of the box!

[@rogerserafin]

That's genius Phil !! On my way to Home Depot right now :)

[@anywhereness8017]

After watching this video, I bought this exact same model, for ~$17 USD from Home Depot in Mexico. The HDX must have been designed by a mountain biker, it's great for this application. The clear tube fits over the valve stem perfectly and 1 gallon fills up 27.5 x 2.4" tires handily. Was able to seat the bead first go round. (Used water, sans soap) On the model I bought though, had to cut a bit of the black sprayer part tube with a hacksaw, as there was a slight ridge blocking the screw piece from being removed. The trickiest part is keeping air in the tube after using the HDX sprayer. If you use this often, I think with another few dollars tossed at it, could make a schrader chuck adapter pretty easily Thanks for making this vid!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Thanks for sharing your experience, I'm glad this worked for you!

[@alanmudge1781]

Nice hack! Worked for me with road tubeless. Only mod was to duct tape about a foot long, 1" diameter wooden dowel to the pump handle so now can pump with both hands.

[@JulienDominski]

Works like a charm on 27.5x2.8 Maxxis Minion DHR II (I used the 2 gallons version), thanks for the hack!

[@lncroom1408]

Great video! I know you said you don't like making this type but I'd still love to see more in the future :)

[@neemaahmadian6635]

Sweet! I made something similar once completely from pvc piping (the pressure rated kind of course) and it works pretty well. Awesome video as always

[@theweekendworriers3931]

Thanks Phill. I had a new tire and rim and I couldn’t seat the bead. This worked like a charm.

[@ZenoLee0]

I just used this and cannot believe how well this worked. It just worked the first time.

[@joshuashall6346]

Using a high volume air mattress foot pump works really well for seating the bead as well. They cost $10 at walmart, no mods needed.

[@jeremytaylor4514]

Yo Phil. Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Love your vids

[@timo8925]

Ha! Awesome tip Phil. I was going to try the gaffa'd, soft drink bottle but will just go get one of these instead. Even at $20 here in Australia, it's still way cheaper than the $100 Airshot! Keep up the channel mate, it's great!

[@timb171]

Thankyou so much for posting this. I'm just about to make the transitin to tubeless and I had planned on buying one of the aluminium bottle type tanks. I already had a little crop spayer that I bought for washing my bike down with before I loaded it into my car, and since I no longer run a car, I can permenantly repurpose it as a tubeless tank. It's a Spear and Jackson branded one that I bought from BnQ here in the UK. It's a slightly larger volume, but that should work out fine because I'm going to be running 2.8 inch tyres and everything worked exactly like your spayer did. What I did in addition to your setup was to wrap a few turns of PTFE tape around the where the straight clear tube goes into the spayer handle before I tightened the locknut up. Dunno if PTFE tape has the same name in the states, but it's what you wrap around the pressure fittings on gas pipes when you're plumbing in a gas cooker for example, it just makes the fitting a bit more airtight. Really glad I saw this video, Thanks again.

[@awesomexistence]

Add a presta valve to the side and you can quickly take the pressure to 45psi with you floor pump (sprayer only goes to 30-35psi). Disable the pressure relief valve if it has one. Leave the wand trigger handle on for your dump burst valve. I have a RYOBI ONE+ P737 18v small hand drill size portable air compressor and can air the tank to 45psi in about 45seconds through the presta attachment. The tank doubles as a portable wash station for normal use.

[@stevendeckert6373]

I use that exact sprayer as a mobile shower! Came in helpful at Lutsen on Saturday. Never thought of using it as a compressor, but I have an air compressor...

[@brettn1591]

Worked great. Thanks for sharing!

[@davidbryden7750]

Great hack! well done... Bit cumbersome to carry on a bike-packing trip, so there is always a space for some of the "dodgy" ones you refer to near the end. Keep up the great channel.

[@garyriggs6998]

Cool idea, Phil. And the more practice you have talking to the camera, the more comfortable and natural it will feel. You're off to a good start.

[@grampasundies]

Awesome vid. Just bought one. Under $9. Works perfect. Thanks man. Not sure what 39 people disliked, haha.

[@blueage1560]

Nice work Phil, that was a really smart idea.

[@ThaMetalMan]

Dude I really like your channel. You seem like a genuinely cool guy. Thanks for the videos

[@effie2206]

great idea, I have a compressor but it's a pain to get it running for one tire, going to Amazon, thanks man, love your riding videos.

[@RolyNZ]

Great hack, and you can also use them as a mini beer keg too!

[@slappdaddy8]

Dude - your on-camera persona is great!

[@vonzen]

Thanks! Just ordered mine!

[@thatsnogood]

Great video! Thanks for the idea!

[@StraitClownin909]

Holy shit this worked!!! My first time setting up tubeless wheels after 2 hours trying to pump these up with a normal bike pump i looked at my old weed sprayer and within 10 minutes bam! Seated. Dude you're a genius. Thank you so much!

[@mikesmith3313]

Hi Phil I've just done this. Terrific idea and it worked fine first time. And shared it with some mates who are goi g tubeless too. Many thanks again from the U.K

[@adamburke4139]

Which one did you buy ? I'm in th uk and not sure which one has the white tube with it ?

[@mikesmith3313]

Hi Adam, I used a 5 ltr sprayer from hose lock. I took the complete spray end off because I have to use it again. I crimped the hose, pumped it up put hose on the valve and it went on first go, I pumped my tyres up to 50 psi, without the sealant in, and later I let the tyres down without breaking the beading, and put the sealant in via the valve. No mess and I've been out loads of times through brambles and hawthorn no punctures, 👍😎

[@Scooby2606]

Brilliant, was getting nowhere with the track pump, had one of these in the garage, and what do you know, it worked! Cheers

[@reynardmauricio]

This is awesome! Thnx for sharing!

[@Antjan46]

Nice one Phil..! McGyver would be proud!! Im gonna do that.. thanks!

[@karld1]

I did it today using the exact sprayer he shows in the video. My floor pump wouldn't seat the tires, but this did the job exactly as advertised. I first tried being lazy and kept the valve in, and that wouldn't let the air in fast enough. After removing the core, it seated fine (after pumping the sprayer up to max). You know it's at max because it will start hissing through the yellow vent. Put the thumb over the stem, pop the valve core back in and good to go! Thanks!

[@karld1]

BTW, this was with 2.25 x 29". Anything bigger and it may not be quite enough air volume.

[@LeAstrale]

Loved the video! Actually have one of those and never thought about, I only used it for washing my bike until now :P Definately going to see some tubeless action soon :D

[@idozen13]

Great video Phil! Cheers mate!

[@wuzen-productions]

I picked one up today works great!👍

[@tonya9614]

Nice job with what seems like some honesty! 👍🏻

[@foreveryoung8718]

Just made it. Thanks for a great tip! Saved money :)

[@gueroloco6334]

Very good mimic of a true first time unboxing bro!!~

[@grapple99]

Thanks Phil I am diggin your channel

[@florihupf]

Great idea! Blows my mind :) - Also, great vid!

[@SpineShank7]

It's pretty neat that it actually worked.

[@jimjr4432]

Love it! Cool sock as well!

[@MrHockaluger]

I have something similar to hose me and my bike down, too, after a muddy ride. Riding buddies always bumming a wash as well. lol But for setting a tire I just went with the Topeak Joe Blow Booster pump.