joebrew

I use clinchers for races (lots of reasons, not to be discussed here).
I am weight conscious.
I plan on purchasing some lightweight tires and tubes soon.
Lightweight tubes (such as Bontrager XXX lite) are about 50-60 grams. Typical tubes are 200+ grams.
I would not like to flat in a road race / crit and ruin my chances of finishing well.

Here's the question: have any of you used sealants (such as Stan's NoTubes) in road bike tubes? Most lightweight tubes come with removable valve stems, so getting it in there is not an issue. A scoop of Stan's is about 40 grams, which adds some weight, but not tooo much.

Any input appreciated.

echappist

if you get a flat on a road race, you are pretty much finished. 2 min gap is very hard to close. just drop out

if you flat on a crit, you can get a free lap & get a wheel from the pit. in other words, totally unnecessary.

Caad 8

You know tubulars have less rolling resistance and more grip to the pavement right?

asgelle

Tubulars may have less rolling resistance. In all likelihood, they don't. https://www.biketechreview.com/tires/...75-roller-data

ptle

Not against high quality clinchers, which are arguably better. But yes in a crit you get a lap to replace your wheel or fix your flat I think. I don't ever have any problems with flats usually. I'd rather chance it then try sealant, which I've heard mixed reviews about.

joebrew

Perhaps I was unclear. I don't like flats. I don't like dropping out. "Unnecessary" as flight prevention may be, I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and what issues they've encountered.

My concern: could the sealant corrode/degrade/deform/otherwise-harm the thin rubber (or latex)?

asgelle

The issue is I flat at most once every two years in a road race (racing 20 or more times a year). Do I want to suffer the penalty of carrying sealant (which might not work when needed) 39 times on the chance that it might stop a flat in the 40th?

joebrew

Do you race with clinchers? What kind of tubes/tires?

asgelle

I race with tubulars. Then again I got my race wheels before the data showing the superiority of clinchers was available.

joebrew

Thanks for all the replies... I'm guessing the BF consensus is that sealant ain't the way to go...

echappist

just being realistic. say the pack is going 23 mph (pretty conservative estimate for cat 4-5), you are 2 minutes behind, you better be able to time trial at 23 mph on your road bike just to maintain the gap. if the said race is a circuit race, you'd be pulled in no time. this is assuming that you have pumped up the tire to a good 90-100psi after the flat. if not, you may just get snakebites again or have some other unpleasant things happen while cornering. and i didn't even mention that you'll burn a few matches just trying to pump up the tire...

awesomejack

why would you buy ultralite tubes if you're just going to make them as heavy as normal tubes by adding sealant?

joebrew

My original post (edited for brevity): "Lightweight tubes... are about 50-60 grams. Typical tubes are 200+ grams. A scoop of Stan's is about 40 grams."

Lightweight tube + sealant = 50% the weight of standard tube

I'm working under the assumption that a lightweight tube and sealant would be LESS prone to flats.

Thus, the lightweight tube / sealant combo has two advantages:
1) flat protection (when compared to lightweight tube alone or standard tube)
2) 50% less weight than standard tube

kayakdiver

I'm trying to figure out what tube you buy that weighs 200+ grams....

urbanknight

Which "typical tubes" are you finding that weigh 200+ grams? Every "standard" thickness tube I've seen weighs a little over 100g. "Light" tubes tend to be 70-100, and "super/ultra/race light" tubes are usually sub 70.

Considering how rare flats are (at least in my experience, I never once flatted in 7 years of racing), it's not worthwhile.

joebrew

My mistake - I had read "220 grams" when what the tube box actually said was "120 grams." Oops...

Still, one could save at least 30 grams by going with the lightweight tube/sealant option. But, based on the replies so far, it's looking to "not be worth it..."

nahh

lance can win a race running on a flat...

chado445510

30 grams is nothing. Just keep using what you have till it bursts or whatever. However, a better pair of tires is probably going to do better because it will offer lighter weight, and maybe better traction.

merlinextraligh

In a crt you get a free lap so not an issue.


As to using Stan' Sealent, I put it in a Vittoria tubular that was brand new and had a slow leak. It's worked great with that, and no problems.

I also put it in a clincher tube as prophylaxis. Got a puncture in that tube, and the selalant tried to seal it, but it was too big of hole, and it flatted anyway.

Also take a look at Zinn's recent column on sealents in Velonews.

kindablue

Lance also doesn't have to pay for his bikes or wheels

What race was that?

mx_599

yes, I use Stan's in mine. About 2 oz

urbanknight

Leadville 100.