Tire plugs can be a lifesaver when it comes to tubeless tire punctures, though they aren’t foolproof. If you’re carrying plugs and a tool in your kit, be sure to learn how to use it before you need it on the trail.
Share your tire plug stories in the comments below.
No lie my tire has been plugged for two years and still going strong.
YES! My wife and I successfully plug road, CX, gravel and mtb tires whenever we flat. We never install a tube in any tire unless the tire has a terrible cut that won’t hold a plug. On more than one occasion with a bad sidewall puncture, I have carefully removed the a single side of the tire , tied a knot in the plug material and threaded it from inside out, pop the bead back on and pump up the tire. Still have tubeless with sealant for the rest of the tires life.
Yes we have practiced plugging with a worn tire. Using a screwdriver to pop holes in sidewall or tread, then plug, repeat. I buy extra plugs in various sizes from anywhere but a bike company. Super cheap and since plugs are just chordage slathered in sealant they can be stripped down to smaller diameter and easily trimmed with a knife.
Yes we continue to ride the tire the rest of its useable life with plug/plugs.
DT
The main issues with bacon strips is they are difficult to “thread” in the little fork poker thing, and in time they get super stuck to the backing plastic and impossible to separate. So I tried Stan’s Darts and they work like a charm. Little pricey though. Similar concept to Dynaplugs which are slightly cheaper.
Totally true. I try to keep keep one threaded onto the tool so when I need it, it’s ready to go. Saves time and frustration while on the trail. I had to use a plug on Friday. It was nice not to keep my buddies waiting while I was messing around trying to thread a plug. This reminds me that I need to reload my tool.
Good to know! I have a set of bacon and have never had to use them
I’ll pre thread one , thanks
I’ve been plugging car and truck tires for years. If it’ll work for full sized motor vehicles, should work fine for bicycles. My concern would be that a bicycle isn’t going to have the sort of weight or generate the kind of road heat that helps seal plugs on cars and trucks.
I had to do it for the first time just a few weeks ago. I lost a lot of air in the process, but I pumped it back up and the plug is still holding up.
I’ve had successes and failures. But, my success rate has improved with experience and better understanding how they work with the sealant to plug the hole.
Only ever used SlugPlugs.
A new plug kit has worked fine for me. Had to use 2 plugs. But another time a kit that’s a couple years old has dried up bacon strips and they couldn’t be separated from the plastic film.
I plugged one this morning. I hit the lip of a rock pretty hard and it put a hole in the tire that the sealant wouldn’t stop. 2 minutes later I was back on the trail with a working tire.
Mixed results with Stan’s Dart system and tire plugs in the tread and the sidewall, near the bead. Plugs work well for punctures if excess is trimmed; not so much for tears. I’ve resorted to sewing sidewall tears.
One word: Dynaplug. Heck with fiddling around with threading bacon strips, and I’ve never used Stans Darts but have heard a ton of mixed reviews about the leaves falling off before it even makes it into the hole in the tire etc. Dynaplug has never failed me in probably 15 uses now over the years. A note that a huge sidewall tear isn’t going to be fixed by any plugs…it is just too much of a gash to fill in with any integrity.
I’ve been using plastic grocery bags for years. Use your smallest Allen key to press a fold of the bag in the hole and repeat shoving in the pieces as far as you can. The bag will start to lie flat inside the tire and get glued there by the sealant. Cut off the excess. I always carry a knife and your good to go. Works especially well on sidewall pinches near the rim. Best of all it’s free and you can always find a plastic bag lying around.