Seal the Deal: Tubeless Tire Care

Dirt Skrrts rider Jennifer Dabbs shares why checking your tire sealant matters—and how it can save your ride.

When was the last time you put tire sealant in your tires? Blank stare? So, most tires today don't use tubes. They stay aired up by direct seal of the bead of the tire to the rim, however, that isn't always airtight. There's a lot of different brands of tire sealant out there (most recognizably, Stan's) that is basically pouring in a liquid goo into the tire void either through the valve (you can take out the core and use a syringe) or dumping in prior to putting the tire fully on. And, if you take a sharp hit, catch a thorn on the trail or bash a rock too hard, the tire sealant "should" help keep your tire aired up because that goo fills up the leak and keeps you from flatting out.  

You should check and replenish your mountain bike's tubeless tire sealant every 2-6 months, with the exact frequency depending on factors like weather (hot and dry (ha! not here) climates require more frequent checks), tire type, and riding conditions (more punctures mean quicker sealant use). A good rule of thumb is to add sealant about twice a year, but always check by listening for sloshing or by removing the valve core to check the liquid level. I learned this the hard way, catching the creek crossing at Boyd's Branch in Bent Creek a little too hard and slitting my tire right at the knob. When I replaced the tire, the sealant was non-existent. Whoops!

This is something you can learn to do on your own with a few tools and supplies or bike shops will happily assist. I prefer to DIY it, so I have a commercial bottle of sealant, tire core remover tool, tire levers and a pump (or air compressor for tricky tire seals) always on standby. What I now need is a calendar with reminders to check and refill regularly so no more walking it out days :)