Basic Bike Maintenance: Tire Sealant Check
Our Basic Bike Maintenance series is here to answer the questions our customers ask us the most! Last time we talked about chain wear, which you can read about HERE. Today we are going over how to maintain your tubeless tire system, and more specifically, tire sealant. If you'd prefer to watch the video, you can find it HERE. Don't hesitate to drop a comment and let us know how we are doing!
First of all, how do tubeless tires work? At the simplest level, an air-tight seal is created between your bike tires and your rims, eliminating the need for tubes. Of course, small leaks will develop over the life of the tire, and a puncture or pinch-flat could happen while riding. This is where sealant comes into play! Tubeless sealant is a mixture of liquid latex and small particulates, which work together to clog holes in a tire. [Note: composition varies between brands, so its important to pick one and stick with it!]
Sealant is added during setup, and often forgotten about until leaks arise. If your tires lose pressure over a few days, especially during storage, you're probably running dry. It's easy to check the level by hanging your bike, removing the valve core, and using a dipstick to get a visual indication. If that sounds too involved, you can also try removing the wheel and shaking it side to side. By listening for the slosh of sealant in the tire you can get a (very) rough idea of where you stand. For best results, we recommend maintaining 3oz of sealant in each tire.
Is it time to add more? Grab your favorite brand of sealant, give it a good shake, and fill 'em up. We like the 2oz squeeze bottles because they're easy to inject through the valve stem (after removing the core!!) without making a mess. They're also small enough to fit into a hip-pack in case you have a large puncture on the trail. If you prefer, sealant is also available in larger 32oz bottles. Some folks opt to pop the bead and pour sealant into the tire directly, which is a great option if you have an air compressor or can easily set the bead at home. However you do it, we recommend checking every couple of weeks to make sure you're trail-ready!
Questions? Give us a call, or drop by and chat with one of our expert mechanics. We're happy to help!