Tubeless MTB - Tips and Tricks?

[phatmanace]

Having owned my Whyte for about 2 years, I've gotten two punctures in 4 weeks or so - I run tubeless, so although they have the sealant in there, if the hole in the tyre is big enough, then its too much for the sealant, and so far I've replaced both tyres, they are £50-£60 a piece, so quite a bit of money, although so far I can suck it up as the man maths is two new tyres in 2 years.

Some basic questions:

- on the preventative side, is there a better way than tubeless? perhaps I should go back to inner tubes, as at least they are cheap to fix/replace - perhaps mousses or inserts that can help?

- is it worth me trying to 'fix' a hole in the tyre? perhaps a plug or patch/rubber glue that I could use on the other side, seems a shame to waste a tyre for one small hole

Thanks, Ace

[river_rat]

Don't go back to tubes ever!

You need to plug a bigger hole - I use a Muc-Off Puncture Plug Repair Kit, I've needed to plug a hole in a tyre during a ride a few times but it usually seals it pretty much straight away.

[syko89]

What tyres are you using now? Are they puncture resistant (EXO, double down)?

You can run tyre inserts for more protection (cushcore, rimpact, nukeproof, huck norris etc).

I use anchovy plugs (dynaplug) to repair a hole that's too big for the sealant. If you gash a tyre you can glue a section of toothpaste tube to the inside of the tyre.

[Maximus_Meridius101]

Get some of this

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/stans-no-tubes-race-seala...

And one of these

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-tubeless-repair-...

Shake the bottle of sealant up vigorously, before you put it in the tyre. Pump up the tyre and spin the wheel. The sealant will at least show you where the hole is. Then stick one of the worms in the hole, trim it with the foldy blade that comes with the puncture kit, and that should do it.

[Bill]

The sealant deteriorates over time, so that could be the issue. And get some plugs.

[TonyG2003]

You have to top up the fluid every 3-6months depending on how hot the weather is

Take the valve core out and use a syringe to top up. I use Stans fluid and the valve core.

Take out a tubeless worm repair kit with you when you are riding

Repair big cuts with tubeless (interior) repair patches. No need to bin the tyres until they are worn out.

I MTB 2-3 times a week and it was the first ride in years that I had to use a inner tubes due to a tubeless set up cut. For MTBing it’s far better than going back to tubes

[jagfan2]

Ive been Tubeless for 5years + but with the Bontrager system (which briliant) up till recently

had one tear that needed tube, and one hole needed a plug, other than that only have the occasional tyre that wont stay inflated for a week, so just needs weekly checks, and had one new tyre that wouldn't seal but swapping it fixed that

Would never go back to tubes, carry the plugs , a patch and some goo incase, with a theube as a proper backup, and older trick for a tear was a bit of toothpaste tube, but the patches are better now