Thread: Totally Tubular
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Old 04-23-26 | 03:41 PM
  #4008  
El Chaba
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Originally Posted by mikestr
I had clotted and useless Orange Seal after a couple years in a full bottle. The original bottle of Tufo sealant I got in Czech Republic lasted a lot longer in the bottle and still held inside the tire after many years (a tire designed to be repaired this way). I assumed the same would be true of other sealants until I read that they are temporary. But aside from that, I have to question the idea of repeatedly putting this junk inside a fine, lightweight tube in a $100 tubular. Are cyclists now so wealthy that they consider these tires disposable? Even a $30 tire, assuming you can find one. Is the idea of putting an extra tire under the saddle and doing a repair back home so unthinkable? I guess it goes along with paying someone to perform basic repairs and maintenance. What has happened to this sport?
I can’t fathom the concept of putting sealant in a quality tubular on a prophylactic basis. Furthermore, other people must have better luck repairing tubular punctures with sealant than have I. For a glass shard type puncture, I have never had sealant hold above about50 psi…So, in theory, you could sag home but not much more. I can’t imagine relying on a bottle of sealant as one’s roadside repair kit. I have had some luck sealing slow leaks with sealant…the type of leak that is caused by Michelin wire, etc. There is one big caveat….Once a tire has had sealant, the sand is running out of the hourglass for that tire for the last time. If you let that tire deflate, there is an excellent chance that the inside surfaces of the tube will bond to one another…and, of course, the sealant sealing the puncture has a finite life and may have to be augmented. You can get a little more use out of the tire, though if those obstacles are avoided. I carry a spare…a tire that has been used and has glue residue on the basetape. It will form a contact bond with the residual glue on the rim if a roadside change is necessary and after ten minutes or so of riding, the bond will be pretty effective. I know some people buy cheap tubulars for use as a spare, but I always have some used good tires that are worn and have been retired from primary use. A good tire folds so much smaller and is infinitely easier to to mount at roadside.

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