Tubeless Gravel Tire Fail: Sealant Fail, Plug Fail, Tube Fail - Lessons Learned!

[@chrisallen5270]

Thanks for learning this lesson for the rest of us! I'm now gonna check my spare tube valve lengths

[@GravelCyclist]

Usually I have an extender on board because I review so many wheels... but not on this day, d'oh!

[@garyives1218]

Did my first bikepacking trip last week. With all my reorganizing I managed to forget my toolkit and tire levers. Thankfully I did have a tube and it turned out my Quick release lever is curved nicely at the end and acted well to unseat tire bead :)

[@billromano5844]

Over a year riding tubeless on my one bike. And I’ve grown so confident and complacent about it that I’ve set myself up for a miserable time out there if I do have a catastrophic failure! In comparing what I carry to what you had with you, I realize I have the following: Stan’s Dart tool, (3) co2 cartridges and threaded chuck, a small hand pump, a traditional patch kit, BUT NO SPARE TUBE! That changes today! There have been multiple instances over the years where I have had mechanical failures and had to resort to calling my wife to come long distances to get me. None too happy about it was she as I recall! If I can avoid that, a spare tube will be worth its weight in gold!

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, making the Mrs unhappy isn't too wise. Mind you, I don't have one so that issue is avoided for me.

[@jp93309]

Thanks for sharing. Definitely helps me plan better for my own inevitable tubeless mishap.

[@GravelCyclist]

Let's hope you can catch a ride should that happen... I got lucky this time around.

[@jbratt]

Yesterday I had to use the tool I carry to take care of my flat situation. It’s used in extreme cases...my cell phone. I had the sidewall cut and turned my tubeless tire into a tubed tire. Worked great for 10 miles until the tube blew. I think it blew because I used a narrow tube in 38c tires. Live and learn. I only carry one tube so I did the ride of shame with my wife picking me up. First ride home in a car since being taken to the hospital in an ambulance 10 years ago. Thanks for the timely video. 👍

[@peterbee8892]

Thanks for an honest warts and all video with you admitting all your mistakes. I recently (last Thursday ) had a 40k road ride ending up on about 2k of gravel to avoid a busy and narrow A road . I ended up with a sidewall cut and instant loss of all the sealant. Luckily I managed to get two stans darts in the hole and with a bit of extra sealant limped home with about 10 psi in the back tyre but with the Dart feathers clicking on the frame every revolution. I did not need rescuing but the tyre is a write off . Ride safe.

[@walcottav]

Oof.. When it goes wrong it really goes wrong. Lets hear a cheer for good friends and family retrieval services. Thanks for sharing the lessons learned. Ride on. ✌️🚴‍♂️

[@eledgardo6831]

Had a sidewall tear on a brand new vittoria 28c road tire. Used my stans dart and it’s still holding at 80 psi 4 months later. Best little tool I ever used and saved an expensive tire replacement.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks, you're about the third person to echo these sentiments, I'll obtain a sample soon.

[@Tommi462]

Oh man, I had the same thing happen to me once. I wasn't even on a tubeless system back then, but I had a TPU inner tube, and got a puncture. I don't want to fix tubes on the side of the road, so I didn't have a patch kit, I just carry spare tubes. Just so happens that my spare tubes didn't have long enough valves for my wheels. So had to call the wife for a ride. Now I'm on tubeless too, and still carry spares most of the time, but I haven't needed one yet. The sealant has done its job so far. Although just yesterday I did have to patch my tire because I had a puncture that did seal initially, but kept reopening while riding for some reason and I got tired of having to add sealant and pumping the tire up every day. It was a really small hole, so I couldn't understand why the seal wouldn't hold. I'm definitely not yet 100% sold on tubeless, even though I do prefer the ride feel to tubes and love the fact that not every little puncture requires you to do some sort of a road side operation. But it has its flaws, certainly.

[@jimbojet8728]

Just goes to show, regardless of all the planning , on occasion things just go Ape? Of course the ‘Extender’ was the obvious fix. We all have or should have considered worst case scenario, and consequently have often thought of a weak link in our preparations , but ignore it and go for the ride anyway. It’s us! We are the weak link ha ha! We must listen to our own advice, we must listen to our intuitions heed our experiences. I suppose though, that to err is human, that’s just the way it is. No bones broken thankfully, another lesson learned another cycling take to tell. Thank you for this vid. Good of you to post it.

[@kolhausen]

Your videos are fascinating. I think it might be interesting to see a “behind the scenes” video to see what takes you to some of these places and how you travel. Anyway, just a thought on curiosities. Keep up the good work!

[@C.Medina]

Hi Jom, get the Stan dart. Work much better than those 2 you show. It works very well with orange sealant.

[@PerfDayToday]

Gtk.. I have a dart, yet to use it.

[@jaspreetsidhu5708]

I can say the same for the dart as well saved my ass

[@alexpoole3058]

Agree the Stan dart is the best used it to fix sidewall puncture without problems

[@buzzman4860]

Stans plug is good but you will need an additional reamer in case the hole is small. The plug head on the dart is sometimes larger than the hole and plastic driver for the Stans Dart can be flimsy. Wish Stans would add a steel driver for the dart plug.

[@C.Medina]

@@buzzman4860 I agree

[@billoneill6114]

Sorry about your bad luck. Thanks for the good advice!

[@Solarsystem50]

Great video. In 5 years we wil be laughing to the idea of putting some sticky liquid in the tires so we can prevent flats. Not everything they did 10 years ago is bad. Tubes are great, replaceble and easy to deal with. Nobody does videos about how to chance tubes because they are easy and dependable.

[@Durwood71]

I still don't understand why they can't make a tubeless tire system for bikes that doesn't need sealant. Car tires have been tubeless for decades, and they don't use any sealant.

[@gggvgg4302]

Same thing happened to me JOM two days ago. I was 30kms in deep bush with no phone reception 🤦‍♂️. Thanks be to God a random car drove past on a 4wd track and I flagged them down for a lift!

[@GravelCyclist]

Nice one, glad it worked out!

[@zukzworld]

Just a bad day I guess, glad you made home safely. I had once the sidewall issue while bunny hopping on sidewalk and hit a sharp brick, the sealant failed and walked home almost five kilometer (with my super confidence on tubeless, I did not carry any spare tube or anything 🤭).

[@GravelCyclist]

Oh man, that sucks.

[@michaelglidewell1524]

Also wonder if a Stan's Dart would have fixed it. Your fellow Floridian and KZbinr Clint Gibbs had good luck with repairing a sidewall hole on a MTB about a month ago.

[@shirtlessGraveler305]

I have one ☝🏻. Have not used it yet. Don’t even have my gravel bike yet . When I does arrive that’s definitely getting packed along the ride for sure.

[@johnokane2476]

my tube no fail over 1 years i been tubeless sealant it twice fail rubbish .thank you

[@GravelCyclist]

Amazing insight!

[@jimbojet8728]

Hey that tyre sucks! Yes it does! I use the Dynaplug too, so far without fail. I carry another tool too, muc off’s version. I use that to ream the hole a bit, then I push the Dynaplug small dart (thus far) in and it seals the hole. I use muc off sealant which is very good. I’ve left the tail of the plug in the tyre, it protrudes but I squish it into the hole and feel it helps form a better seal that way, rather than making a nice neat repair with the tail cut off. I do carry a small knife just for this purpose though. Another thing I do, is change the valve core. I install a new one sl it’s every time, as the previous one will undoubtedly be

[@LarryRichelli]

I live in the California desert where we have big spikes. We all you fat bikes (I just sold my gravel bike for a carbon fat bike) and we all use Flat Attack sealant in our lightweight tubes. This works so well that the local bike shop uses this technique in their rental fat bikes.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Larry, out of curiosity, what pressure are you running in your fat bike tubes?

[@LarryRichelli]

@@GravelCyclist Because I replaced my gravel bike with a carbon fat bike and right now am only riding on pavement with little off road, for my daily 10 mile ride I am running 24lbs in my 27.5 x 3.80 Maxis tires.

[@chrisfoster5098]

You Had a nightmare mate had a similar experience three weeks ago I had tubeless fale two tubes and six self-adhesive patches just to get home

[@GravelCyclist]

Bloody hell. If my mate was unavailable, I would have called an Uber.

[@ajarolimek]

I ride in the coastal Pacific Northwest and have had several "unfixable flat - walk of shames" the longest being 9 miles. I've learned some things. Stan's Dart for the win; I've been let down by dynaplugs. Carry the right size tube (I've learned the valve length lesson). Carry glue on patches and a paper towel in a Ziploc to dry the tube from the sealent. Finally ride cush core for many reasons but one being a slow limp home just in case.

[@Risandi_Pradipto]

Backthen, we only need to bring spare tubes and CO2 canister or mini pump. Now we embrace this tubeless technology, bring spare tubes and canisters/mini pump plus this and that. Moreover, some tubeless-ready tires really trouble-some to work on (and the posibility for the tire-beads failure is increasing the more we put the tire on and off the wheels)

[@jdw9300]

Great video. Is the ribble bike review coming soon?

[@GravelCyclist]

Yes... probably a couple of weeks. I have one more round of testing to subject it too.

[@christwardzik]

Love it thank you!! What’s the frame ur ridin there?!

[@GravelCyclist]

Ribble CGR SL, review coming soon.

[@christwardzik]

@@GravelCyclist 🤜🏼🤛🏼 loving ur videos keep em rolling. Cheers

[@rayF4rio]

I ride road only, but thanks for giving me more reasons to stay with tubes.

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, no worries, tubeless is definitely not for everyone.

[@charng]

i have been waiting for the Vittoria air-liner road tyre inserts. until i get them, i will keep riding with inner tubes.

[@CaptainShiny5000]

Thanks for sharing so that we can learn from it as well. Still not a fan of the Gravelkings SK. Not very supple and instant fail on my local mud and steep, loose gravelly inclines (even in dry conditions) are a no go as well. They're good on tarmac, though. Right now I'm a huge fan of the WTB Resolutes - slightly slower on tarmac but so much better on everything else.

[@GravelCyclist]

GK's weren't designed for mud, I use other tyres if I'm expecting that scenario. Likewise, I'm a huge fan of WTB Resolutes, one of my two go to tyres.

[@CaptainShiny5000]

@@GravelCyclist I don't change tires unless they're ridden down so I really need a good allrounder and so far the resolutes didn't disappoint. People say that they are slippery on wet tarmac but I couldn't verify that at all so far. Never lost grip so far.

[@kimrice394]

Happens to the best of us🤷🏻‍♂️ Tubeless works so well I haven’t been stranded in years(hopefully the Karma gods are not listening😬). The last time my sealant literally lost all its liquidness over time, the tube I had already had a hole and I had one CO2, no pump. Usually takes a combination like mine/yours to completely mess thing up. I have latex tubes also but don’t carry as a spare as I can’t sticky patch them, in case of a secondary puncture. My set up now is redundant, 2 tubes, Slime sticky patches, at least 1 CO2, some duct tape wrapped around tire lever, plugs(3-4 pre-installed on little tools) and a pump.

[@Horstelin]

That's why I prefer a mini pump mounted to the bottle ages... You never run out of air

[@Horstelin]

*cages

[@billsomerset238]

Very informative. Your saddle looks like mine, ec90?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Bill... this is the Shimano PRO Off-Road saddle, review coming to the website soon!

[@KoenMiseur]

Had this happen, couldn't plug it because the hole was to big and couldn't put in a tube because the valve was stuck, now I carry a little plier and I also now have a valve that u should get out with an allenkey

[@GravelCyclist]

Ugh, the valve stuck issue, that can be a real problem. Boyd Cycling and DT Swiss produce a non-rounded locking nut that can help alleviate the stuck valve issue.

[@tmayberry7559]

Prepare for the unexpected. For that reason that's why I ride with extra stuff. Like an extra cellphone battery bank it's the size of a co2 cartridge I also carry a small lithium powered air compressor comes in handy I don't leave home without them

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

I just had that happen to me over the weekend ride in France in the middle of no where, 3 tiny glass cuts at the same time 2 sealed with peatys biofibre, one didnt. 5 stans darts fell to pieces which are in theory same as dynaplug. I had to resort to Muc off Bam as last resort...this is the same as GUP My CO2 inflater exploded yes exploded where the nozzle is in bits

[@dbfvideo]

I wonder if you could have pulled that section of the tire bead outside of the rim and then held it against the outside of the rim to get better purchase on that part of the sidewall to push the plug through? And that might have also created space for the plug to insert before hitting the other sidewall?

[@miguel146diaz]

Great tips, thanks for sharing. Are you planning a review of the zipp 303s wheels? I’m considering them for a fast gravel bike set up and would be curious of your take.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Miguel, review is coming soon... as is the Ribble frame and eTap Force Wide groupset.

[@glennoc8585]

Carry a valve extender or use lower section rims. Just mentioning it for reinforcing your point.

[@jamespichler7763]

Hey JOM... what brand bike stand is that?

[@GravelCyclist]

James, I picked that thing up at a swap meet years ago for $5. I wish I had purchased a couple more, there is no branding on them :( It would be super simple to copy if there was a welder around here... interesting fact, there have been famous Worldtour Pro bikes on that stand, during those times I did media at the Tour Down Under.

[@renexerez2122]

2:15 I follow and subscribe to your Channel. Great content. But i have to disagree. Ive had the Panaracer GK SS 38mm on my gravesbike and its crazy fast and crazy slippery. So I switch to the Panaracer GK SK 38mm and same thing. Crazy fast and slippery. Wont grab that small ridge to get over the obstacle. Knobs not tall enough. Crashed, waved to everyone and took a bow, and went on my way. The only damage was to my ego. Hahaha. Now riding Pirelli Cinturato M 40mm. Calipers out to 42.4mm.

[@samuelkmaina]

Thank for sharing Jom. I've just gone tubeless and this is a good reminder of the things I should always carry on rides. I am not sure about bike tyres, however, car tyres sidewall puncture repairs do not go so well. The tyre tends to bulge around the repaired area which can result in a risky blowout when the tyre gets hotter at speed. How is your tyre looking after repairs, is it now one for the recycle bin or is it rideable?

[@GravelCyclist]

Samuel, this tyre is in the recycle bin. A shame for sure. I've had good luck plugging on top of the tyre, but I don't trust a sidewall fix.

[@Gerald-iz7mv]

Hi Jom - need some help to select the right gravel tire. I currently have the Bontrager GR2 Team Issue Gravel Tire (700c 40mm) - but get flats all the time (even when i ride on the normal street - 1 week riding - flat - 4 flats on the back tire, 1 flat on the front tire in the last 4 weeks). I got the Tannus Armour Tire Inserts - but that doesnt fix the flat problem. Can you recomment me another gravel tire (high puncture resistance!)? which one has the best quality and prevents flats Panaracer, Vittoria, Continental or WTB or something else? My terrain: Road and also some Offroad (forrest with gravel and fine sand). I would say 60% road, 40% offroad.

[@marcokalle2452]

What bike is that? Looks sweet 😎

[@marcokalle2452]

@OmegaMan I checked their website, seems to be a Ribble yes, thanks

[@GravelCyclist]

Ribble CGR SL, review is coming soon.

[@marcokalle2452]

@@GravelCyclist nice, looking forward to that one

[@SIvers-or2ke]

JOM, clearly the Zipp wheels are at fault for not being shallow enough to accept your spare tube mate. Easy 😉👍

[@GravelCyclist]

I was waiting for someone to say this, haha.

[@senorstokes2895]

Flats aside, JOM, what did you think about the ride and handling of the Ribble SL?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello Mr Stokes, I retained the Ribble CGR SL, and continue to use it as a testing platform for wheelsets, and so on. I've utilized it as a gravel bike, and a road bike. Top-notch all-rounder.

[@jasonwright606]

Never been in your predicament, but i would have given this a go. Wheel off frame. Tyre off rim. Pump tube with some air. Close valve head. Put tube inside tyre. Slide valve inside rim valve hole. Then try mounting tyre on rim. Experiment with air pressure. Might get you home at quarter speed.

[@GravelCyclist]

Definitely a good suggestion, I really needed that extender (that I usually carry), as I could not get any purchase onto the valve.

[@irvhh143]

Can a tubeless tyre be repaired while blindfolded?

[@GravelCyclist]

Try it and let us know.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

💩 happens, and usually multiple things come together before we get in trouble. I had a puncture and lost some air; so I pumped up the tire with my mini pump. Unfortunately the valve core came out when I unscrewed the mini pump from the valve. I had a spare tube, but couldn't linflate it with the mini pump because I couldn't remove the valve core from the pump with my fingers. I was lucky after all because this happened only 3.5 miles from where I parked.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hans, was it a Lezyne mini pump? If so, I quit carrying those a few years ago due to the valve core always coming unscrewed when the pump is removed.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

@@GravelCyclist yes I believe it was a lyzene. You have to screw it tight onto the valve; and when you unscrew it, the valve core comes out with it. One of the most stupid things that I ever purchased.

[@oh6edx]

Oh my!

[@GravelCyclist]

You should have heard what I said when everything went awry :)

[@bradsanders6954]

Shake your sealant boys! If the coagulate isnt mixed well the sealant wont work.

[@AbeAlSaleh]

if only I'd seen this 24 hours ago. :D

[@GravelCyclist]

Haha, sorry. This happened about three weeks before I got around to editing the video.

[@AbeAlSaleh]

@@GravelCyclist I had a pretty similar flat this morning, only I was a dork and left my spare tube at home, after all I had my patch kit... What could go wrong 😅

[@GravelCyclist]

@@AbeAlSaleh Hahaha, brilliant!

[@bikebudha01]

1) Always carry a tube and pump (or at least c02). 2) Stan's, only ever use Stan's..... 3) Always carry standard buytl (sp) tube... 4) Only carry spare tubes that for for ALL your wheels...

[@GravelCyclist]

I was thinking Buddha could help you out of a jam?

[@bikebudha01]

@@GravelCyclist lol

[@PtchCbls]

That dynaplug tool looks much more sturdy than my stans dart tool. I've already snapped one of the two arms of the stans dart, as its made of thin, fibrous plastic. Also, good call carrying two CO2 cans, they can freeze sealant but AT LEAST you can safely make it home. Don't be a doorknob; Listen to Jom!

[@danfuerthgillis4483]

I have a tube replacement from popping the wheel off to finishing a full glued patch down to under 10 minutes, a tube replacement under 5 minutes. Will never go to tubeless, I don’t have the time for this nonsense.

[@Incaensio]

A sidewall slice will kill any tire.

[@GravelCyclist]

Indeed, and that tyre had plenty of life left in it too :(

[@Incaensio]

I've lost three that way, all were quite new when it happened. It's a sad day all around. Proper length tube and a boot are with me always now.

[@DavidKent0407]

Very bad luck. I've been very lucky with Orange Endurance for several years.

[@GravelCyclist]

For sure, still my go to sealant. This is my first such issue in 12 years, since switching over to tubeless.

[@martinmartin5904]

Even if tubeless have great rolling virtue , I prefer to stick to my inner tubes. Stick with your sealants , if you like buttering your fingers full when one day , and it will happen ,you will have to clean up this inside shit .

[@GravelCyclist]

You make tubeless sound like it is the worst thing ever.

[@martinmartin5904]

@@GravelCyclist No , I started by saying that they had great virtues of rolling .For the rest I don't want to do any maintenance to that .

[@firstname7780]

Yea you should have used tubular and finished on 70-80 psi. 6 punctures in 60,000 kms, end of life thing that latex in the tube patched. No puncture in two years… Conti tubulars and Veloflex be it Conti is superior

[@MrAnon-2024]

Yep, forget about tubeless. Too much faff and mess.

[@alistairprice3292]

Why bother going tubeless and then carrying a tube, makes no sense , learn how to maintain and repair a tubeless set up. God help us🚵🏻‍♂️

[@GravelCyclist]

Why don't you produce a video for everyone to watch...

[@rickdoehler502]

sidewalls are an issue with all tires, bike, car truck, erc.... Why would you even share this?

[@Dedicated2FitnessAUS]

You’ve been in the US to long and lost your Bush Mechanics skills ! Emergency you could have installed the tube and pushed the valve stem out of the hole in the side wall . Inflate and tape/zip tie the valve stem to the rim so it didn’t hit frame/stays etc . Disc brakes, no rim brakes . So should have been an emergency fix to get out of trouble. Just a suggestion....

[@GravelCyclist]

I have been in the USA too long, and that is a good suggestion... although no tape or zip ties with me at the time.

[@K777John]

Depending on what the flora and fauna were where you were riding you could have stuffed the tyre with grass-old off road motorcycle trick-sounds sketchy but would get you home. Personally I always carry tubes, co2 inflator and cartridges, repair kit and patches, and a pump. Was riding with some friends last week on mountain bikes and one of them got a flat-no problem, he whipped the wheel and tube out-and found that his spare tube had a schrader valve not a presta-I had a spare tube luckily......