Orange Seal actually worked for my latex tubes today

Triathlon Forum
1

Just throwing out this anecdote from my morning ride today -

I added Orange Seal sealant into my latex tubes about 3 months ago, as I seem to have bad luck with flats here in Norcal, having about 6-7 per year (my friends have like zero). I also swapped to brand new GP5000 tires at that time, so the tires aren’t worn out. I honestly didn’t think it would work that well, as I’m running latex tubes which require 90-100psi compared to the much lower psi of the recommended tubeless setups, and the online anecdotes suggest that sealant doesn’t work well at high psi. But I figured I’d try it what the hey.

Today, am riding alone at 21mph and out of nowhere, a loud “BANG” and a short “whoooosh” that I recognize all too well - definitely the sound of a puncture. There were no other riders around me and no other sounds to confuse it with, and it was quite loud, not subtle at all.

Pulled annoyingly to a stop, and started checking for the source. Amazingly, I couldn’t find it! Both tires felt firm, and I couldn’t find the puncture source at all. Didn’t see any sprayed sealant, either. Didn’t have to top off the psi, just kept riding and got home 40 minutes later without incident, it was like nothing even happened.

Needless to say, I’m sold on this sealant stuff, even if it doesn’t work every time - worked so well this one time that I’ll take it even if it works only half the time! Tonight I’m going to pull out both tubes completely, check the tires for any puncturing debris, and while I’m there, add more sealant to each tube. To put the stuff into the latex tube, I removed the valve core, then used a plastic syringe to inject it in. It does get a little messy on the floor but it’s easy to clean up.

Just my n=1, and I may have just gotten really lucky, but maybe this story will help someone else avoid an annoying flat later as well.

2

Good to hear it worked.

I’d be interested to hear what you find when you take the tyre off. Eg pinch flat or a thorn hole etc.

I do the same these days, but not had a P since adding the sealant (my TT bike is on clinchers + latex tubes, whereas the mtb, road and gravel bikes all tubeless).

Years ago I used mtb tubes with slime sealant and that defo saved several thorn punctures.

Out of interest, what size tyres are you running to need 90-100 psi ? Are you on narrow (like 21 or 22mm ) tyres?

3

very interesting, thank you for sharing. how much sealant do you put per tube? 3oz?

4

I’ve used Orange Seal Endurance formula in a latex tube as well. A few years ago after a ride I pulled a thorn out of a tire and heard the hiss of a small leak. Out of sheer laziness instead of replacing the tube I decided to experiment and put in maybe an ounce of Orange Seal since I already had a bottle for my mountain bike. It stopped the leak and I think I got a few thousand more miles out of that tube.

On my current tubes I’m not running any sealant though. I don’t get enough flats to worry about it. (jinx)

5

I put 2 oz in (65cc), I think that’s what the manufacturer recommended.

Running ‘normal’ tires, 700 x 23, nothing narrow. Latex silca tubes.

6

I’ve done it before and it works just fine, but you eventually run into the issue of having to toss the tube once the sealant dries out, as it can’t be cleaned like we do with tubeless tires.

7

I’ve done it before and it works just fine, but you eventually run into the issue of having to toss the tube once the sealant dries out, as it can’t be cleaned like we do with tubeless tires.

Does the tube malfunction (?gets stiff?) or is it just the valve that gets clogged? Was hoping that I can just replace the removal valve core if it gets clogged later on.

8

I haven’t had valves clog, but the sealant dries, becomes a solid inside the tube and you end with a mess that just isn’t worth continuing with. This was before tubeless more or less replaced the need. I can only really see it as a viable stategy for a race day wheelset where you don’t mind tossing the tubes afterwards. I’d probably do it again in that situation.