Wheels, Tyres and Tubeless

Your wheels are where the rubber meets the road (or trail), and keeping them in top shape makes a huge difference to how your bike rides. At Dropbar Bike Repair in Watford, we work on everything from high-performance carbon wheelsets to bombproof alloy trail hoops. Whether you're running clinchers or tubeless, road tyres or trail treads, we're here to keep you rolling smooth, safe, and fast.

Below, we outline our services for wheels, tyres and tubeless.

Wheels

Wheel Truing

What Is Wheel Truing?

Wheel truing is the process of adjusting the tension of the spokes to make your wheel straight and round again. If your wheel wobbles from side to side or hops up and down when it spins, it needs truing. We use a special truing stand, spoke key, and years of experience to gently bring it back into line.

When Do You Need It?

* If your wheel is visibly wobbling

* If you feel brake rub on the rim or rotor

* After a crash or hitting a pothole

* If a spoke has snapped

When Don’t You Need It?

* If the wheel is perfectly straight and there's no brake rub

* Very minor wobbles (under 1mm) on disc brake bikes are often fine

How Much Does It Cost?

At Dropbar Bike Repair, we offer wheel truing from £15 per wheel, depending on the level of correction needed. We’ll always inspect first and give you an honest heads-up before we touch anything.

Spoke Replacement

If you're missing a few spokes, we can replace them and get that wheel gliding perfectly again. Missing spokes are an easy fix and ensure better riding experience and safety.

Wheel Builds

In special scenarios you may want a wheel build instead of replacing your wheel. This might be if you've got a very specific wheel - if this is what you're after, we can help! We have an expert wheel building specialist we use. Just give us a call and we'll get it sorted.

Tyres

Fixing Punctures

Good old-fashioned punctures – we’ve all had them. If you're running inner tubes and you’ve picked up a flat, we’ll either patch or replace the tube, check the tyre for debris, and get you back on the road.

Tube replacement starts from £10, including labour and a standard tube. You can also pick up one of our puncture repair kits or maintenance kits in the workshop.

Replacing Tyres

Worn-out treads, cracks, or repeated flats are all signs it’s time for new rubber. We’ll help you choose the right tyre for your bike and riding style – whether it's puncture-proof road tyres, grippy gravel rubber, or chunky trail treads.

Tyre fitting starts from £10 per tyre, plus the cost of the tyre itself. We stock premium brands and can order in specialist tyres too.

Changing Tyres for Different Riding

If you're switching disciplines – say from summer road riding to winter commutes – changing tyres can completely transform how your bike handles. Wider tyres, treaded tyres, or something more puncture-resistant? We’ve got you.

Need advice? Just pop in and ask – we’ll help you find the sweet spot between speed, comfort, and durability.

Tubeless Tyres

What Is a Tubeless Setup?

A tubeless tyre system uses no inner tube. Instead, the tyre forms an airtight seal with the rim, and a liquid sealant inside the tyre seals small punctures as they happen. It’s lower pressure, lower rolling resistance, and fewer flats – what’s not to love?

What Does It Involve?

To go tubeless, you’ll need:

* Tubeless-ready tyres and rims

* Tubeless valves

* Sealant

* Sometimes rim tape to seal the spoke holes

We set it all up, seat the tyre with an air blast or compressor, and make sure the sealant is evenly distributed. It can be messy, but we’ve got it down to an art.

Who Is It Good For?

Gravel riders and MTB riders who want fewer punctures and better grip

Road cyclists chasing marginal gains in rolling resistance and comfort

Anyone riding rough surfaces where pinch flats are common

What Happens When There’s a Puncture?

Most punctures seal themselves instantly – you might hear a hiss and then... silence. For bigger holes, you can plug the tyre or pop in a tube if needed. We recommend carrying a tubeless repair kit just in case.

How Often Do You Change the Sealant?

Tubeless sealant dries out over time. We recommend:

* Top-up every 3–6 months

* Full refresh if you’ve had a big puncture or it’s been over a year

We offer a sealant top-up service from £10, including clean-up and refill.

How Much Does Tubeless Setup Cost?

Tubeless conversion (if your wheels and tyres are compatible): from £25 per wheel

New bikes or wheels already tubeless-ready: setup from £15 per wheel

Sealant top-up: from £10

We’ll check everything first to make sure it’s suitable – not all wheels are tubeless-ready, and we’ll be upfront if we think it’s not worth it.

Whether you're dealing with a wobbly wheel, a stubborn puncture, or you're curious about going tubeless, Dropbar Bike Repair in Watford is here to help. We love working with high-end and premium bikes, and we’ll treat yours like it’s our own.

Need a quick fix or a full overhaul? Just drop in or give us a call – we’re always happy to chat tyres, wheels and everything in between.