Uncle Dick’s Bead Slip paste is a new auto industry-inspired product from Rich Travis, a former service, program and product manager at SRAM & Hayes Bicycle Group.
It’s a waxy, paste like product that you brush onto the outside bead of the tire before mounting, it helps get the tire onto the rim and into the bead socket quickly and easily. And, unlike soapy water or other similar products, it won’t potentially work its way under the rim tape or mess with the sealant’s consistency or efficacy. In fact, he says it helps condition the tire and keep it soft, ultimately helping ease removal when the time comes, too.
It’s aimed at the shop guys to help speed up tire installs. Travis says, as a shop mechanic, you can’t really bill for 45 minutes worth of time if you get a difficult tire, but you still have to install it as promised. With UD’s bead slip, the “super lubricious” formula helps get the tire on and let is easily slip into the socket and hold and inflate at 20-30 psi. Yes, please.
Bonus: It’s made in the US. A 2.7oz tub retails for $19.99, and they’ll also two sets of brushes (hard or soft) for $7.99 per 10-pack. They aren’t required, but also handy for applying grease, tubular glue, etc.
He’s been testing it for a year in Wheel and Sprocket bike shops in Wisconsin. Olympic Supply Company has been distributing it in the Midwest for a few months, and now he’s looking for broader US distribution. Check them out at UncleDicksBikeShop.com.
