Sealants
Used tubeless sealant for mountain bikes — the liquid inside your tubeless tyres that plugs punctures automatically. Stan's NoTubes, Muc-Off, Orange Seal, Peaty's and Finish Line, listed by UK riders. Top up every 2-4 months to keep the sealant active.
How does tubeless sealant work?
Sealant is what makes tubeless tyres work — without it, you just have a slow leak. It contains tiny particles (latex, fibres, or synthetic compounds) suspended in a liquid carrier that coats the inside of the tyre. When a thorn or sharp object punctures the tyre, air pressure forces sealant into the hole, the particles clump together around the puncture, the liquid evaporates and a plug forms. Most sealants can seal holes up to 3-4mm; larger cuts need a tyre plug in addition to sealant.
Which sealant should I buy?
Stan's NoTubes is the original and most widely used — reliable, good longevity, and universally compatible. Muc-Off No Puncture Hassle uses synthetic latex and claims longer life in the tyre. Orange Seal Endurance is designed for longer intervals between top-ups, and Peaty's Holeshot uses natural latex with added fibres for sealing larger holes. Most sealants work similarly for small punctures — the real differences show in longevity (how long before it dries out) and the maximum hole size they can seal.
How much sealant goes in each tyre?
The standard recommendation is 60-90ml per tyre for 27.5" and 29" MTB tyres. Lighter casings and dryer conditions need more; DH casings and cooler climates can run less. More sealant isn't always better — too much adds unnecessary rotating weight and sloshes audibly, while too little means punctures won't seal reliably.
How often does sealant need topping up?
Sealant dries out over time — faster in hot weather, slower in cool conditions. Top up every 2-4 months by removing the valve core and injecting fresh sealant with a syringe. Riding on dried-out sealant means the next puncture won't seal and you're reaching for that emergency tube.
What if the sealant has dried out completely?
If the tyre has been sitting for months, break the bead, scrape out the dried latex boogers, and start fresh. Choosing the right sealant and maintaining it properly is the difference between riding through thorns without noticing and walking home with a flat.