What you need to know about mountain bike tire plugs

Let's examine 3 popular mountain bike tire plugs and see how they work
Tips on how to use tire plugs I'd like to share
Plugging a bike tire is a perfectly good way to get back on the trails. Not only can a plug get you rolling again, a plugged bike tire can be just like new if done properly. In this video we check out some popular bike tire plug options and see how they work.
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[@rgmtb]

Thanks for watching! If you are interested in checking out some great flat tire repair tools click here -> kit.co/rgmtb/i-hate-flat-tires

[@b.griffin317]

After trudging through numerous videos about tubeless repair plugs this is the most common-sensible and informative one I've come across. Thanks!

[@jameswilson2815]

You're pulling out the applicator, try doing it in one fluid motion quickly. Avoid twisting. I don't care what they say. I've done it to everything with a wheel and it works. Great video. Thanks. Aloha

[@mtbboy1993]

Excellent video, well presented, explained. great hack with the filing down the tools.

[@rgmtb]

A positive comment like this coming from you means a lot. Thank you!

[@jeffgolden1894]

Another very useful video. Thanks.

[@juancamtb]

Cool video man, you really make useful videos👍🏼💪🏼

[@tumblew33d]

Great tip about filing, thanks! Enjoyed your video with the trail boss, subbed and looking forward to more. Nice job by Mrs RGMTB too 👌

[@elrondain]

My experience with plug tools on car tires is you have to pull the tool out in a fast quick motion. I have the metal tip plugs for my bike, but I haven't had to use them.

[@mikieson]

yep..filing that little bit off of the applicator makes sense..that last one you showed with the metal tips would be my last choice i think. BUT im speaking as someone who has never used any of them. Thanks for another informative video Gene..

[@terrymarlor-gage6214]

Good demos👍

[@brianm.grenoble6140]

thank you for the close-ups on the actual insertion!! yeahzes...now I'm ready to do it (will be my 1st radial tire plug eva)

[@rgmtb]

Good luck!

[@mtbplumber8490]

Good one.

[@DaBinChe]

stan's plug is based on using latex based sealant, so any latex based sealant will work with stan's plug. There is a chemical reaction between stan's plug and latex to seal. It is like how the rope plugs are suppose to use vulcanizing cement to vulcanize the plug to the tire. The cement will act as a lube for better insertion and better sealing. Also don't know why Lezyne says to twist, that is a bad ideal cause it causes the plug to wrap around the tool and get pulled out with tool.

[@rgmtb]

Thank you for the info on this!

[@merltrudo]

@@rgmtb The dart tool failed me twice (with road tires, 32C). It just pulled the rubber part back out.

[@JonathanFisherS]

Couple of notes on the Lezyne, be worth testing: First, you should insert it so that barely _any_ of the plug is hanging out! You went in maybe halfway, work it slowly, keeping the ends of the plug even. Next: I'm only to able to do this sometimes, but I do the opposite of the twisting. I twist going in, to help get the plug in, then once in, I "unfurl" the plug by twisting the opposite direction. No idea if that actually works like I think it does, but it'd be interesting to see that on your test rig

[@johndavis3938]

I've used the traditional "bacon strips" and have never been a fan because of the tool issue. Filing is gene-ius (see what I did there?). I've since moved to the Stan's Dart tool but haven't had to use it yet. I always use Stan's since you can get it everywhere and it works.

[@SCnative64]

Thank you for this helpful video! I think the "bacon" and fork tool that came as part of my Crankbrothers multi tool is most similar to the Wolf Tooth that you showed. I didn't know how to use it, in case its needed and now I do. As for any excess length of plug on the outside of the tire - we just leave it, or maybe trim it when we get home? A bit off topic, but I hope the other watchers here, and you. rarely need to use this! I used to ride with one of the founders of Crankbros, but that was a very long time ago before a lot of innovations. We were still on 26" wheels (what are those), and using tubes.

[@awen9164]

my concern with the Lezyne one would be damaging the rim tape as you have to go further in to use the reamer part

[@williamkerley383]

Thanks for the vid. Watching this after just usying my lezyne plug kit. My gripes: Tool kept pulling the plug out exactly as you described whic is why I'm here. We shouldn't have to modify a factory tool to get it to work right. The other issue is that as soon as the reamer was pulled, lost all the air in the tire, I'm glad I wasn't on a ride, tire sealant got me home. The lezyne vid reccommends to replace the tire too. They also turned off comments. I swear by my lezyne tire pump, which is fantastic. Very disappointed with their plug kit.

[@TheGhost00sm]

There are different size bacon bit plugs. Muc off kit comes with both small and large plugs. It would be interesting to see what happen if file the applicator for use with the large plugs and then use it to insert a small one.

[@BrianVaughn]

I like the Dynaplug but the refills are hard to find. Doesn't seem stores stock them.

[@peterharrington8709]

Some interesting tips. I personally find that plugs rarely provide a reliable permanent repair BUT now thinking that maybe later at home you could get a really good seal with the tyre off by applying rubber solution to the inside of a tyre , or by working the plug back into the hole with a bit of heat. Might depend on the base liner layer of the tyre of course.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

I've definitely had multiple plugs last the life of a tire.

[@dbartholomew2]

In my experience, only plugging car tires, it works to push the plug material all the way through the tire. Then, when removing the tool, the cut edge of the tire forces the plug out of the tool. IIRC that was how the plug was meant to be used - pushed all the way through the cut.

[@cmcz1207]

And twist it before you pull it out. Car tire plugs work fine on bikes if you are used to them.

[@JonathanFisherS]

I'd love to see this tested... I've never pushed them all the way through but I can see what you mean

[@vincentcatarroja9704]

Hello sir, can i fix the hole in the side of tire? Thanks

[@b.griffin317]

Do these work for a side puncture?

[@CycleXplorer]

Thank you, nice overview. I might try a dynaplug after using my fair share of bacon to see how it compares 🥓

[@992F]

First off, great tips. Secondly, were oh were do I go to find that shirt you're wearing!?

[@rgmtb]

Thank you. My wife makes these shirts if your interested. I'll let her know you liked it. That will make her day!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Those shirts going up for sale?

[@rgmtb]

Guess I better get my wife on the books huh? HAHAHA!

[@rupedog]

With metal tipped, especially pointed, what happens when u have to insert ur emergency tube.... They puncture it I guess !

[@rupedog]

Interesting that Lezyne engineers who designed the tool don't know as much.... Though I wonder if the plugs are designed to almost be fully pulled out to seal the hole 🙄

[@henkmijnhout529]

Metal tip from the Dyna plug could come loose inside the tyre & rattle about driving you crazy. Also remember Cigarette lighters stop working at just below Freezing point.

[@alexsainsbury2176]

Do plugs work on tires with tubes?

[@strokyl]

no

[@As2ronaut]

I just use a paper clip to push the rubber inside the puncture, most of the punctures are too small to use a regular tool.

[@rgmtb]

Great tip! Thank you

[@jetboy770371]

I was also thinking that very small holes like I have now are going to get much wider when you hog it out with that tool. I'll try you paper clip suggestion. I just got the bike and now found out that they are tubless tires.

[@rupedog]

This tools are designed to be tight to pull the strip firmly into the whole.... Obviously!!!

[@DaBinChe]

that is not a pic of mtb on the t-shirt, lol

[@rupedog]

If the whole plug comes out, u need a fatter plug....

[@Tony-jw6oy]

Because you are doing it all wrong. Supposed to pull the applicator out quickly and the plug remains inside. That’s how I do it and never have an issue

[@rgmtb]

I'll try to do that but don't think it will help much. After I made those few changes to the applicator the process just seemed to work better.