[Zermattjohn]

Hi, I’ve been using Effetto Mariposa Caffelatex sealant in my 38mm Gravelking tyres, but have noticed that rather than stay as a liquid sloshing around in the tyre, it seems to solidify all around the inner of the tyre itself after a few weeks and also, very annoyingly, over the valve hole meaning pumping up the tyre involves poking a stick down the hole (!).

Its not a recent weather thing, its been happening a while. I thought I was putting too much/little in, but that makes no difference so the only conclusion is that it is no use for me.

So I’m after recommendations for a sealant that will stay as a sealant (or suggestions for what I am doing wrong). Many thanks everyone.

Topic

[andystow]

Not Bontrager. I thought it would be like Stan’s, but it’s worse.

[tomlew]

Schwalbe Doc Blue is actually made by Stans and it’s exactly the same formulation, they are open about it.

Fibre-based sealants do stay liquid longer, but are also much less effective, as there is no actual “glue” in the mix to keep the fibres together. So it’s essentially like plugging a hole with a rag – it works, but does not solve the problem.

And don’t expect Magic Milk to be any “cleaner” than Stans, as the action of all latex-based sealants is exactly the same: it dries and then forms a uniform clog, which solidifies permanently and also sticks to the tyre wall (which is the key difference vs fibres). It’s exactly the same process is used in making natural rubber, just delayed by adding a solvent which evaporates when it meets air and then allows/forces the latex beads to bond and seal the hole.

[Xenophon2]

Problem with Stan’s is that you need to top up and theoretically remove the old gunk relatively often and it doesn’t play very nice with valve holes. At least that’s my experience.

I didn’t try effeto mariposa ut have experience with orange seal (doesn’t stand up to low temps), squirt sealant with bead blocks (a disaster, never again), and Schwalbe sealant (reasonably ok until one time when it wasn’t and even with bacon strips I couldn’t get the relatively modest hole to seal).

Been on ‘Magic Milk’ sealant (not the high-fiber version) for a year now and although typing this wil probably jinx things up for my 90 km ride this afternoon, so far, so good. It’s a synthetic latex, relatively viscous. It’s been hot over here so I top up with 50 ml every 3 months which is not a bad thing because typically my tires will be toast after 6 months. But, this is all very subjective. Best advice is to try until you find something that you like.

[tomlew]

I’m not sure about your particular case, but new tyres very often leave the factory with porous walls. After the first dose of sealant dries, the walls seal up completely and it’s possible the liquid will not dry anymore.

Anyway, Stan’s has always been my favourite. I never really understood the hype about Caffelatex.

[Author]

Replies