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Is Stan a dole bludger?
Out riding my bike on the Oaks Single track when I get a pin hole in my tubeless tyre.
It deflates pretty quickly. I give it a short rest and a spin. Attempt to pump it back up but the hole has not sealed. For the next half hour I'm trying a large variety of techniques to get the tyre to seal and inflate. I attempted spining it quickly with no air and again with some air. I attempted angling the bike so Stan rested over the hole and again with the hole up in the air. Stan was being stubborn and just refused to close the pin hole in the tyre. I finally gave up on Stan and inserted the spare tube I carry.
Unfortunately I pinch flatted after about 200 metres. Grrr.
I got the patch kit out and removed the tube. Stan had soaked the tube, he was really being a dick. I used my shirt to give the tube a good clean. Scoured the surface and stuck a sticker patch on. Inserted the tube back into the wheel began to inflate but the patch gave way. I repeated this scenario another 4 times. Each time the patch gave way. The next rider to pass I asked if he had glue on patches, he gave me 2 sticker patches of a different brand and continued on. I gave one a go but it failed to even want to stick. It seemed as though Stan had left his residue all over the tube. No amount of cleaning/drying was working. Again I pulled over another rider asking for a Glue Patch. Again this rider gave me 2 sticker patches of a different brand again. I liked this patch as it was softer and had a lot more flex than the last 2 brands. I inserted the tube and began to inflate. It was working...until the patch gave way again during inflation.
Finally called it quits and got a friend to pick me up.
Feedback on Strava was it would be more of a surprise if Stan actually worked. One suggestion was to add Glitter to Stan.
To top it all off, after all those attempts taking the tyre off the rim and back on. I managed to damage my tubeless valve and rim tape. I was not a happy chap.
Is there any special techniques to get Stan to go and work? Or is he a lost cause?
So what do you do with a Stan soaked tube? Would glue patches have worked?
I should mention at this point I was on my CX and asking for a spare tube was not an option.
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I haven't heard good reviews about Stan lately. Paul had problems a few months ago, I had a small cut in the tread that wouldn't seal up a few weeks ago but thought it was due to lack of sealant rather than the sealant not working. Steve mentioned Stan not working, Flynny mention he changed........
If I hadn't just bought a new bottle, I'd be looking elsewhere too......
I ran over some glass on my first ride with a new Racing Ralph. Stan's sealed up nicely after a minute or two of spinning, but I am going to find that leak and patch it. From memory you were with me on that ride ChopStiR.
Also, the first time I used Stan's it lasted 10 months in a Racing Ralph with two cups of Stan's.
Maybe I just make that bludger work for his money.
I had many lovely years of working with Stan! Never noticed him until he was needed and then it was great!
Recently though (last 6 - 9 months) I reckon Stan has been thinning out a bit, as he's refused to plug even tiny holes and cuts. It also seems to be dependent on the type of cut too...
That, and he's been having trouble holding himself together, separating into the things that make him up and leaving a messy, non sealing mess in my tyre.
As such, I've given him the flick and will be trying other options in the future. So far I've heard good reports of the Orange fella, but as yet haven't tried it
I have never run tubeless, nothing wrong with the good old tubes if you set your inflation to suite rider weight and riding style.
Tubes are far from an ideal option for a CX on firetrails and single track. Too easy to pinch flat.
INMO dirt tracks are build for MTB's, CX's are just roadies trying to be MTBers, present company excluded.
I had a positive experience with Stan in Wagga. Half way round the 13km track and I started to feel wet around my legs. Considering I hadn't ridden through any puddles at that stage, I initially didn't work out what was going on. Needless to say I had somehow managed to get a pin hole in the front wheel. Stan did a magnificent job of stopping the leak and allowed me to get back to the start (and another 20kms back to home). Pumped the tyre back up to normal pressure and it's been fine ever since.
However, Ian does point out a shitty experience I had with it a while ago...
I've just ordered 2 Continental CycloXKing tyres and a bottle of Conti RevoSealant Will see how that goes.
Got some maxxis CX tubeless readys coming will finish the stans i have before changing.
Which maxxis and where from? I don't have a rear tyre anymore after it met a utility knife blade on the m4, not that tubeless would have saved me.
I plan many more cx commutes but tubeless first...
Maxxis mud wrestler exo tr they are on back order[I work at Blackmans] but for my commute I am running Maxxis refuse along the m4 they are doing ok.
They sound good. My CX had come with Maxxis Raze tyres but they were not tubeless compatible.