Menu
THREAD+SPOKE
0
  • MEN'S
  • WOMEN'S
  • HOODIES
  • YOUTH
  • POSTERS
  • NEW
  • COLLECTIONS
    • MOUNTAIN BIKE
    • CYCLING COLLECTION
    • CYCLOCROSS
    • SPRING CLASSICS
    • BIKE WARS
    • THE TOUR COLLECTION
    • LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
    • LEGENDS COLLECTION
  • SUBMIT
  • JOURNAL
  • Sign in
  • Your Cart is Empty
THREAD+SPOKE
THREAD+SPOKE
  • MEN'S
  • WOMEN'S
  • HOODIES
  • YOUTH
  • POSTERS
  • NEW
  • COLLECTIONS
    • MOUNTAIN BIKE
    • CYCLING COLLECTION
    • CYCLOCROSS
    • SPRING CLASSICS
    • BIKE WARS
    • THE TOUR COLLECTION
    • LIFESTYLE COLLECTION
    • LEGENDS COLLECTION
  • SUBMIT
  • JOURNAL
  • 0 0

How Does Tire Tubeless Sealant Work? A Complete Guide

September 28, 2021

It’s hard to believe that tubeless sealant technology, once futile and chaotic, has now become a hot topic of conversation. After decades of questionable utility, messy applications, and limited capabilities, tubeless tire sealant has become a popular topic of discussion for mountain bikers, gravel, and road cyclists alike. If you want to run a tubeless setup, understanding how tire sealant works and how to make the best purchase based on your riding style and needs is crucial. 

What is tubeless tire sealant? 

A tubeless tire sealant is a liquid that goes inside your tires and automatically works to plug punctures and holes as they come. In most cases, a tire sealant contains material like natural latex that dries and seals inside the tire once exposed to air. 

How does tubeless tire sealant work?

While each brand of sealant functions similarly, the key to this technology is the added material contained in the sealant. In some cases, it's latex while in others, it's carbon fiber. No matter the material, the purpose is to suspend the particles and create an adhesive for the sealant to stick to the tire. Then, it becomes possible to adequately clog the puncture rather than letting the liquid easily seep out. Once the area seals, the liquid moves around in the empty space between the tire and the rim, finishing the seal. 

 Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up

The first of the two primary goals of a tubeless tire sealant is to seal the air system and fill minor gaps where the tire bead connects to the rim. Second, a tubeless sealant works to repair holes from sharp objects like rocks or thorns. When a puncture occurs, the sealant spreads to that area and coats the puncture to prevent air from seeping out. The particles in the sealant provide the surface area for the latex to harden and seal, hopefully, before you even notice a puncture occurred. 

How to use Tubeless Tire Sealant? 

It’s no secret that using a tubeless sealant can be a messy job, however, there are a few different application methods that can help you avoid a potential world of headache and mess. 

First, try to use the valve system and a valve core remover to inject the sealant directly into the tire. Since normal sealant has smaller particles, measure out the correct amount, remove the sealant injector, and squirt it through the valve or a premeasured bottle with an injector tip.

 

 Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up

 

If you don’t have the necessary tools to do this or if you use a race sealant with larger than average particles floating in the latex, you can always separate the tire from the rim at a given section and pour it in. In this case, pour it through the open tire while slowly turning the wheel, letting the sealant coat the inside of the tire until complete. Race sealant coagulates quicker, so it can fill larger holes than routine sealant can. 

How much sealant do you need? 

How much sealant you need often depends on whether you’re setting up your tires for the first time or just topping them off. For new gravel and mountain bike tires, use between four or five ounces. For road bike tires, use around two ounces.

While these are rough measurements, it’s always better to add a little excess rather than not enough. As a general rule of thumb, new tires quickly soak up sealant, so be generous and use double the amount that you would use topping it off. 

Best Sealant Choices: 

 

Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up, Stan’s Notubes Regular Sealant

 

Stan’s Notubes Regular Sealant -

Stan’s Notubes Regular Sealant is one of the most affordable and popular options on the market. 

 

Black Ox Sealant,Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up

Black Ox Sealant -

The Black Ox Sealant utilizes a unique formula of carbon fiber threads that elevates the latex sealant. This makes it a good option for riders who don't want to carry a pump with them.  

 

Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up, Stan’s Notubes Race Sealant

Stan’s Notubes Race Sealant -

Stan’s Notubes Race Sealant uses twice as many particles as the regular formula to ensure a secure seal, especially for races and special events. 

Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up, Stan’s Notubes Race Sealant

Orange Seal Endurance -

The Orange Seal has a significantly longer shelf and patch life than other sealant options, helping riders go longer between top-offs and repairs. 

 

Muc - Off No Puncture Tire Sealant, Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up

Muc - Off No Puncture Tire Sealant -
The Muc - Off No Puncture Tire Sealant is one of the best all-around options, especially if you ride in areas where small sharp objects are in excess. 

Hex Tubeless Tire Sealant , Tubeless set up mtb, Tubeless set up gravel bike, Tubeless roadbike , is tubeless sealant worth it, how to ride tubeless, thread and spoke, bike hacks tubeless set up

 

Hex Tubeless Tire Sealant -
The Hex Tubeless Tire Sealant utilizes an ammonia-free formula that allows you to use C02 for inflation and works well in a wide range of temperatures and climates.
  • Share:


Also in Journal

Hayes Dominion A4 Brake Review | The Best Mountain Bike Brake | Thread+Spoke Journal | Santa Cruz Tallboy
Hayes Dominion A4 Brake Review | The Best MTB Brake?

August 31, 2022

As an avid mountain biker, it can seem that the quest to find the perfect brake can be a never-ending task. Too much bite sends you over the bars. Too little, and you’ll find yourself at the bottom of the cliff. Well, I think I may have found the perfect brake and it’s a bit out of the ordinary... In my opinion, the Hayes Dominions are the best mountain bike brake on the market. 

Read More

crazy tour de france moment, mont ventoux running club, chris froome, thread and spoke, tour de france
TOP 5 CRAZIEST TOUR DE FRANCE MOMENTS

June 30, 2022

While it is difficult to pick our favorite Tour de France moments, we narrowed it down to five crazy events! Thread + Spoke inspiration and history behind this year’s Tour Collection and race.  

Read More

2022 Paris Roubaix Race Preview: What to Expect & Race History
2022 Paris Roubaix Race Preview: What to Expect & Race History

April 12, 2022

Stay tuned for Paris- Roubaix, stamped as the 'Hell of the North'. A murderous one-day race from Compiègne to Roubaix, near the Belgium border set for April 17th, 2022.

Read More

Follow

Let's get social @threadandspoke

  • FAQ
  • Rewards
  • About us
  • Size Chart
  • Start a Return
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more…

© 2023 THREAD+SPOKE.

American Express Apple Pay Discover Meta Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Venmo Visa