Ok so ive run tubeless for years and had (touch wood) good results. Ive also fitted a tube every time ive got a flat. Now ive seen these trail side tools but as of yet ive never actually seen one work properly. In general all the flats ive seen its been where one of the knobs has torn thus the sealant and air escaped quickly but sporadically. In general someone gets out there tool and tries to jab it through the hole but to no effect(it rarely gets through the carcass). Get covered in sealant and then fit a tube.
So do any work very reliably so much so that you don’t need a tube?
The wee OneUp EDC addon tool with the "bacon strips" has worked really well for me twice, and lives very neatly in my steerer tube.
Those tubeless ‘worms’ work. Available in mini Mtb tyre sizes ones at massive expense and larger ‘car tyre sized’ much cheaper.
Those and a little extra sealant have fixed 4 out of 5 tyre incidents over the years.
The other involved a massive nail that tore the rim tape.
Had about 50% success with anchovies, always worth a go.
Never ride without a tube though.
The weldtite anchovy kit comes with a rasp, which would have allowed your mates to open up the hole to a size where the anchovy would fit, possibly allowing them to fix things (especially if a liberal dousing of vulcanising solution was used). I'm not 100% sure this would work though, and the only other option is an internal patch, which is pushing the boundaries of what could be considered "trailside" repair.
Oh extra sealant and a valve core removal tool are always worthwhile too. Many of the punctures I've had have turned out to just be not the first (or most probably second or third) I've had since the last time I put sealant in...
Anchovy kits are better than they used to be. The addition of the rasp and bigger plugs has seen me have a near 100% record with them this last 5 years, including carcass perforations and tyre beads. The only one that I needed a tube for was an 18mm sidewall cut.
If you're quick, you can get a mate to put their finger over the hole while you prep the plug, and get it sealed before you lose all your air.
I've used the lumpy end of a cable tie with good results..
Worms +1, 50 for £4 of the car sized ones with a big tube of glue and the tools!
Just annoying that multi tools haven't caught up, you'd think after over a decade of almost total uptake amongst mountain bikers that one of the ~18 tools would be the funny forked needle bit and not a novelty bottle opener.
I use weldtite worms. they are a little on the thick side for some punctures so I supplement with thinner ones off ebay. Since doing this I have not used an inner tube and have never failed to fix a puncture. I think my record is 5 in one tyre before deciding to change it out.
I'm currently about 12 out of 12 with 'worms'. I like the weldtite kit but due to some biggies I also got https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tech-Seal-It-Premium-Tubeless-Tyre-Repair-Strings-Pack-Of-50-x-8/182916682644?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 - 3.5mm worms as I find the 6 and 5 mm car ones usually too big, mind you did need two of them on one really bad gash
One possible thought, I initially used to make sure that the plug was airtight before riding on, however haave found (as part of giving up and heading home) that nearly fixed seems to 'fix' if you ride on it (?? I have stans in and poss the plug gets 'pushed in' more as you ride
Not cheap but never had a failed Dynaplug Racer repair. Comes with thick and thin pre loaded plugs.
Güp is worth a look. If a worm or two still isn't quite doing the job, topping up with Güp makes a difference.
Also does the trick when you've got a flat, just because you let the sealant dry out.
Saves having to pump the tyre back up as well.
Only had one puncture inthe past gawd knows how long. Dynaplug fixed it in a jiffy. was pleased 😀
+1 for Dynaplug, neatest and fastest system by far. Shame they're so hard to get in the U.K.
don't know what your mates are doing.
weldtite + refills off ebay of solution and anchovies. no failures in about 5 years.
+1 for Weldtite Kit.
Saved my ride after nasty, next to rim bead split. 2 months later still holding.
Cheers!
I.
Just one failure on the bead, other than that very happy with the Weldtite kit.
The right tyres helps. A mate gave up at BPW after he needed a plug each run on his Nobby Nic..
Having too tough tyres can be an issue too, I very rarely hole mine - but the WTB tough casing can be a right bugger to widen out enough to take an anchovy
I agree one of the worm insertion prongs would be good on a multi tool but I just use an Allen key.
About 15/15 for me using the weldtite worms. Got through 7 on a holiday to Rivierabike a few years ago. Every one held up for the rest of the week. Including Ady’s!
only needed to double plug once and that tyre then survived the patterdale descent from Helvellyn
I carry an old fashioned tube patch kit for those rare occasions that bacon flavoured anchovies won't work.
Pop the bead trail side, Gauze and isopropyl wipe from the first aid pouch, glue, apply patch, co2 and go!
I have twice looked to use the worms and twice it hasn't worked. I got the worm in each time before too much was lost, then when I go to top up the air, the worm doesnt hold.
I have however put this down to the worms being thin ones and now carry thick and thin ones.
Are you twisting the fork before pulling it out? I'm in the camp where I've never had an anchovy fail me, and have had two in my rear tyre for years now, but I'm not doing anything special to make them work.
I just got hold of one of these:
It's properly tiny when tucked away, and has a rasp on it too
Are you twisting the fork before pulling it out?
about 90degrees, should I have tried turning it more?
I tried the Dynaplug, loved the wee-ness of it, however it on the three occasions I tried to use it simply didn't work.
Bought a simple, cheap, kit (maybe weldtite) with thick and thin anchovies, rubber solution, prong and rasp.
It works!
Got a cut from a nasty sea shell on the beach on the front tire, sealant just about working but it was a pretty big hole. When back at home: quick rasp, small anchovy on prong, bit of glue on the anchovy - eh voila!
And, live, as it happens updates from the trail this morning: due to not learning and still running my 29x3 chronicles at too-low pressure on my hardtail, got another nasty snakebite in the sidewall (one right down at the bead). Followed same procedure as above, but trailside, and it worked a bloody treat. Didn't lose that much air, didn't need CO2 just a few pumps.
Seems tire was also bone dry of sealant, which figures as I haven't topped it up in about a year 😳
Me happy!
oikeith
about 90degrees, should I have tried turning it more?
Not sure how much i do, but it's been more than that, Lezyne go this far:
"Step 8: With the tool and plug still in the tire, turn the tool clockwise a few revolutions to twist the tire plug inside the tire"
got another nasty snakebite in the sidewall (one right down at the bead). Followed same procedure as above, but trailside, and it worked a bloody treat
That's pretty impressive! I'd expect to stick a tube in/walk if I got sidewall damage like that.. (Although unlikely in WTB Toughs as the sidewalls are like car tyres 🙂 )
In 10 years of tubeless I've had better than 90% success with anchovies - Weldtite plus refills. A hole right in the bead as above is a tough one but it can work so long as the bead and rim mesh OK. I used to get a lot more punctures with the UST tyres of a few years ago compared with the sturdier ones we tend to use now.
hmm interesting folks thanks.
all issues have been with small holes. So the reamer with the weltite kit seems like a good idea.
just seen one of those lenze ones though and they look shiney 🙂
Aye, lezyne tool looks reet good.
Anchovies are great, then when I get home, ill fit a mushroom plug. No further worries when those are fitted.
If you want a rasp, fork and worms that are easy to carry, the new Sahmurai SWORDS look really good.
Looks like there's a version 2 which fits bars a bit tighter and is more resistant to crash damage.
Been using Panaracer tubeless repair kit. Much the same as the other anchovy stuff, but it's just got a big chunk of rubber you cut strips off as necessary so can be much better value for money, depending how many punctures you get that are bad enough to need one.
It's always worked, but sometimes takes a few attempts. The Panaracer kit uses glue you have to apply which I think helps rather than just being pre-sticky.
But rarely needed it. Sealant does most of the work. Use a lot more than you think you need. Enough for keeping TR and non-TR tyres seated/inflated and plenty spare to cope with punctures.
Very rare, had a tear in the sidewall that can't be sorted that way. Out comes the boot patch kit stuff. In fact a large inner tube patch may do the job. Need to dry the inside though where the patch goes. Also will need CO2 or something to reseat the tyre as it will need to be popped off the rim. Have done it trail side. Of course can just stick a tube in.