tubeless tire repair & maint Q

[ted]

I would like some advice on tubeless tire "best practices" please.

I've recently started riding with tubeless tires (wtb byways) after decades of riding with tubes (and tubulars).

Though I understand the tubeless setup should be immune to pinch flats, goat heads, wire bits, staples, glass shards etc. worse things can happen. So for now I'm still carrying two tubes, levers, etc. and a frame pump. But I wonder, do most folks just trust in the sealant and leave the repair kit at home? Is one tube plenty? Do folks carry tire plugs on rides? If folks carry plugs do they carry extra sealant in case too much escapes through a big whole prior to installing a plug?

Also how about periodic sealant checking? How often is prudent? Does one pull the valve core and use a wire as a dip stick to do this? How deep should the sealant be? Should one do a first check fairly soon after initial setup and then go to less frequent checks, or just always check every ?? months?

TIA

ted

[PaulS]

How long Sealant lasts really depends on your climate and time of the year. Winter times here, it lasts almost the whole season. Summer, it’s maybe every 2 months?

I don’t pull the valve. I just break the bead to check. Pumping back up is no issue, as long as you don’t break the bead on the other side of the rim.

Tools. I carry one tube and a basic tool kit. No patches unless I’m headed way out in the backcountry (TM). There are also tire plug kits which have become popular since they work well. I just never saw the need as most punctures seal up well for me.

https://cyclingtips.com/2017/12/dynaplug-tubeless-tyre-repair-review-air-racer-carbonlite/

[Kainalu V. -Brooklyn NY]

I carry a plug kit, extra sealant, and a valve tool. I don't lose sealant through the atmosphere, so refilling schedule is dependent on how many horrible things I've run over lately. When it doesn't seal up and is a small hole, I add sealant (by removing the valve) and go on my merry way, if it's a gusher, I immediately plug the thing, otherwise I'm certainly adding sealant. And if all else fails, I do carry a tube, which can help a friend in need when the opportunity hits. Tubeless rules.
-Kai

[Rick Thompson]

I have been running tubeless on a road bike for a year and a half now, went tubeless due to very frequent (most every ride in the Fall) goathead punctures. There have been zero on-road flats since then, this is one piece of modern tech I am truly impressed with. I check sealant level about every month, topping up every 2-3 months.
I check by removing the valve core and using a q-tip paper stick. Plastic or wire sticks don’t work well, the sealant beads up and it’s hard to see the actual level. When the core is out, I put a drop of Boeshield in it. This was advised on another forum and works to prevent the sealant clogging the valve.
I carry just a spare tube now, sort of worst case get me home insurance (also Uber app :). So far I pull thorns out on most rides, and there have been a couple of tire wires, but I’ve not needed to do any roadside flat repairs.

[John McBurney]

I too am a tubeless newbie. It amazes me how with patience slow leaks take care of themselves. 

John

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[William!]

Around town: dynaplug. Never failed me.

Day ride: one tube. Never actually used it.

Multiday ride: two tubes, extra sealant.

[James / Analog Cycles]

Here's a set up guide I wrote:  https://www.analogcycles.com/true-facts-components/analogs-tubeless-set-up-guide/

And a maintenance guide:  https://www.analogcycles.com/true-facts-components/tubeless-maintainence-repairs/

and for folks just getting started, a parts guide:  https://www.analogcycles.com/tubeless-component-selection/

Hope that helps a bit.

-james / analog cycles

[Kellie]

•if using Stan's it's recommended you occasionally clean out rim and tire•I don't carry a tube around town, just extra sealant (2 oz.), but on a long ride or overnights I carry a tube too (and a repair kit) •I always carry tire plugs and a toolkit • sealant here (San Francisco) lasts about 6 months, then I just add another 2 oz. by removing the valve core.