Well... I did it! First try too (I'm so proud ).
So, either I was way too hard on my Ringside 8x5 (thanks again Ralph...LOVE this bag) or I had a weak bladder (no comments please, lol) and it wouldn't hold air. I ordered a new rubber bladder from Ringside, a medium for this bag and it arrived this morning. It is a good quality bladder and a little heavier duty (thicker rubber) then the one originally in the bag. I followed the instructions from Alan in the archive of this forum and read the instructions posted on the Ringside site too. It was easier then I thought.
Took about 10 minutes to unlace and turn the bag inside-out (only about half way) so I could get to the valve, another couple minutes to remove the old bladder as it is rubber cemented in place... then rubber cemented the new valve in place and let it 'cure' for about 15 minutes so it would stay in place. I then carefully worked the new bladder into the bag making sure the valve stayed seated properly and the new bladder didn't get pinched or anything. Before re-lacing, I pumped a bit of air into it and adjusted it in the bag so it was nice & round where it should be. I then tucked the tongue in place. Pumped it up till it was a little too hard (to fill the leather out), checked for any leaks....and let air out to the proper inflation level that feels good to me. Laced it back up...and BINGO!
Now I'm back baby....not that I stopped, there are other's, but this 8x5 is the size for me and the Ringside leather is easy on the hands. I find you get a much better 'feel' for the hits without the gloves.
Just though I'd share and say... it's easier then you think!
So, either I was way too hard on my Ringside 8x5 (thanks again Ralph...LOVE this bag) or I had a weak bladder (no comments please, lol) and it wouldn't hold air. I ordered a new rubber bladder from Ringside, a medium for this bag and it arrived this morning. It is a good quality bladder and a little heavier duty (thicker rubber) then the one originally in the bag. I followed the instructions from Alan in the archive of this forum and read the instructions posted on the Ringside site too. It was easier then I thought.
Took about 10 minutes to unlace and turn the bag inside-out (only about half way) so I could get to the valve, another couple minutes to remove the old bladder as it is rubber cemented in place... then rubber cemented the new valve in place and let it 'cure' for about 15 minutes so it would stay in place. I then carefully worked the new bladder into the bag making sure the valve stayed seated properly and the new bladder didn't get pinched or anything. Before re-lacing, I pumped a bit of air into it and adjusted it in the bag so it was nice & round where it should be. I then tucked the tongue in place. Pumped it up till it was a little too hard (to fill the leather out), checked for any leaks....and let air out to the proper inflation level that feels good to me. Laced it back up...and BINGO!
Now I'm back baby....not that I stopped, there are other's, but this 8x5 is the size for me and the Ringside leather is easy on the hands. I find you get a much better 'feel' for the hits without the gloves.
Just though I'd share and say... it's easier then you think!
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