rayc38•9h ago

Serious question, I thought tubeless sealant was just a messy fad until last season

I was fixing flats for a local high school team and the coach insisted we set up all their bikes tubeless. I thought it would be a constant hassle, but after a full season, they had maybe three flats total across 15 riders. The sealant actually worked on small punctures while they were riding. Has anyone else had a complete turnaround on a repair method they were sure was just hype?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.oliver5h ago

My old shop in Boulder had a bin for used sealant bottles. We filled a 55 gallon drum every six weeks just from regular top ups. That's a lot of plastic and goo going into landfills. The environmental waste hit me harder than any flat tire. Even if it works, the constant need for fresh sealant creates a hidden trash problem most riders never see. It made me question if the reliability is worth the extra garbage.

david_henderson67h ago

Honestly, I still see it as a messy fad for most riders. Sure, it worked for a school team with constant support, but that's a best-case setup. For the average person riding solo, it's a different story. You still get flats that won't seal, the sealant dries out, and mounting tires becomes a huge chore. I've gone back to good tubes and tire liners for less hassle overall. The extra work just isn't worth it for me.