AMB Tests Four More Tubeless Tyre Sealants
We put 4 more tubeless sealants through our testing process to see how they stack up.
Two years ago I tested 7 different sealants for their effectiveness after 36 days being ridden in Pirelli Scorpion 2.4” LITE Hard conditions tyres. Over summer, I put 4 more sealants to the test, with the same protocols and testing for pressure loss from 22psi with a 3mm cut at the base of the edge knob, and then a 6mm cut at the edge of a transition knob.
Read the original! AMB'S Great Tubeless Tyre Sealant Test
Effetto Mariposa Vegelatex
From: echelonsports.com.au
RRP: $49.95 (1L)
Time to seal 3mm hole: 1:29
Pressure lost: 14.3psi
Time to seal 6mm hole: 1:02
Pressure lost: 18.5psi (unrideable)
AMB's Notes
This tubeless tyre sealant stands out as it is completely biodegradable and free from plastics. It can also be used with CO2. The sealing properties come from plant fibres for the clogging effect, while using xanthum gum to hold it together. In use, I found it was slow to act and small holes would seal, but I'd have to stop and pump the tyre up. The repair wasn't particularly stable, often opening up again. This one had repeated flats so the testing was done on 1 week old sealant. It lost a lot of air on the 3mm hole, and lost it faster when reinflated for the 6mm hole. Opening up the tyre, there wasn't much liquid left, but a good coating over a lot of the inside of the tyre, like a protective barrier. This may be why it works with smaller cuts better. This sealant had no staining and was very easy to clean up.
Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
From: echelonsports.com.au
RRP: $64.95 (946mL)
Time to seal 3mm hole: 57 seconds
Pressure lost: 7.2psi
Time to seal 6mm hole: 1:37
Pressure lost: 9.8psi (unrideable)
AMB's Notes
Silca aren't afraid of a bit of fanfare with new products, and their Ultimate Sealant is one such product. Thankfully, it's also pretty good! This sealant has a latex base with chopped carbon fibre to take care of plugging. These are made from recycled carbon fibre parts, which is a handy re-use – although they will be sprayed all over you and the trails. During testing we had no noticeable flats, but on inspection the tyre has been sealed on some small cuts. In the puncture test, the Silca sealant sorted the small cut near the edge knob quickly, and the bike remained rideable. But the larger cut next to a transition knob had the cut spraying open with latex going everywhere, until the bike wasn't rideable. Perhaps the position closer to the centre of the tread was too prone to continually opening up while riding. It did seal when left reinflated, although there wasn't much sealant left post test. The latex was straightforward to peel off the frame, forks and other bike parts.
Pirelli SmartSeal Scoprion
From: FEsports.com.au
RRP: $69.95 (1L)
Time to seal 3mm hole: 2:09
Pressure lost: 7.4psi
Time to seal 6mm hole: 1.11
Pressure lost: 16.1psi (unrideable)
AMB's notes
Pirelli have different sealants for off-road and on-road use, due to the different pressures used. During the testing period, the sealant sealed small holes effectively, needing some extra air to keep going. The yellow colour did stain clothing and a bike bag. It's said to wash out, but hasn't washed out of lycra, a sail cloth bikepacking bag, or a set of gloves. So be wary. In testing the small hole sealed fine, and the pressure loss reduced very quickly. But the larger cut stumped the Pirelli Scorpion sealant. It was quickly unrideable – needing a plug, or a tube. When opening up the tyre afterwards, it was completelydry, with the rim tape and inside of the tyre stained. This isn't really an issue, but where it sprays is. I'd love to see the colour additive removed, as it's a great sealant on small cuts.
MucOff No Puncture Sealant
From: sheppardcycles.com
RRP: $62.99 (1L)
Time to seal 3mm hole: 2:12
Pressure lost: 15.6psi (unrideable)
Time to seal 6mm hole: 1:01
Pressure lost: 9.8psi
AMB's notes
This purple sealant is latex based with a bunch of molecules to help plug the holes. In the testing period it sealed up some small cuts on the top of the tyre tread without fuss, just needing a little more air. The molecules do set quite firmly on your frame and fork, needing some determined force to remove the residue. In the puncture test, the sealant couldn't seal the 3mm cut below the edge knob, likely as the sealant level had dropped off enough that it wasn't getting there when riding. As for the 6mm cut on the edge of the transition knob, the MucOff sealant did seal the puncture fairly quickly for a large cut. On inspection the sealant was just about all dried up post test, so this is one to stay on top of for refreshing the sealant every month.
