Tubeless tyres have become increasingly popular among cyclists, lauded for their ability to self-seal punctures and offer a smoother ride. Many riders have transitioned, experiencing fewer flats and greater convenience. However, the question remains: in this era of tubeless technology, is a Bike Tyre Patch Kit still a necessary part of your cycling gear?
My own experiences with tubeless tyres have been largely positive. Starting with Bontrager R3s that came stock on my bike, I was impressed by their puncture resistance. Despite riding them until they were bald, I only encountered one flat from a large staple. The sealant, in this case Stan’s, worked remarkably well, quickly sealing the puncture with minimal fuss and no loss of pressure. It left me confident that many minor punctures were being sealed without me even noticing.
Moving to Schwalbe Pro1 TLE tyres, the experience was similar, though not entirely without incident. During a double century ride, I did experience a puncture that the sealant struggled to handle initially. It required a few top-ups with my pump before I decided to use a DynaPlug to ensure a complete seal. This plug lasted for the remainder of the tyre’s life, proving to be a reliable solution when sealant alone wasn’t enough. Currently, I’m using my second set of Schwalbes, this time with Silca sealant. While still early in their lifespan, the initial miles have been uneventful, further reinforcing the general reliability of tubeless setups.
