Thanks for the review on the Sealant Funnel. I had been frustrated with the Park Tools and Radar Lab syringes when using sealant. ( I need to note that I love the Radar Lab syringes for carbon paste and grease). I ordered the funnel and have used it a handful of times already.
I would love, love, love if there was a UDH adapter developed for the non-UDH Crux like 5Dev did, bummer they discontinued it. Please let us know if you hear of one!!
Hi Kent, Reid with Biggie Components here. Ive developed a troublesome solution for the Specialized Crux/Diverge. Its a rather unreliable adaptation due to the dimensions of Specialized frame. If we figure out something full proof that doesnt require modifying the frame we will reach for some beta testers.
I would be more than happy to beta test whenever you figure something out. I'm in Phoenix, AZ if that matters. Thanks and good luck! I think there's a pretty big market for that one.
The listing on Aliexpress isn't written very well (go figure). The Presta valves are listed as "SV" (and are available with white or black valve stems), while the Schrader valves are listed as "AV" (for automotive valve).
The funnel just blew my mind. Thanks for including this as well as the initial review on this iteration. If sealant just pours straight through before it can be measured why limit to 30ml? Maybe a larger funnel, using a shimano-style stopper plug used on brake bleed funnels, and graduated markings, would make sense.
I didn't try it on Reserve valves since the funnel won't thread on (because of the issue I mentioned in the newsletter). That said, I don't like to inject sealant into Fillmores in general since any sealant that's left over inside the body will tend to solidify on top of the plunger at the end.
Removing the valve and disassembling the Fillmore what was pain in the ass. Then I had to scrub the dried sealant to fix why it was filling so slowly. I didn't install sealant through the valve so I am unsure how it clogged.d.
Hi James - thanks very much for the sealant calculator (and the newsletter!) Since I'm using tubeless for both gravel and MTB, it was helpful to me to have your calculator also use inches (and why not, fluid ounces).
(you still enter width in mm, but it autoconverts to inches. For MTB, you just guesstimate in mm until you get to the right width). Hope you find it useful (esp. for those chunky boi fatbike tires).
Today was the first chance I had to use the Straz Sealant Funnel.
I was renewing dried out sealant in mounted tires, unused since last fall.
The valve stems needed to be cleared, and I installed new cores after.
The Straz Funnel threaded on easily
I used Panaracer Seal Smart, which has ground walnut shells in it, and needs to be shaken vigorously to suspend the ground shells in the liquid. This foams the sealant. I can not inject this sealant as it clogs (seals) in the valve stem. Was hoping it was because it was under pressure.
Poured the foamy sealant into the funnel on the first tire.
The liquid did flow in but the funnel remained full of foam. Opened the tire and saw minimal sealant inside. Cleaned the foam out into the tire and poured in more before remounting the bead.
Tire 2: foamy sealant into the funnel, and the valve stem clogged.
Made a mess removing the funnel.
Cleaned out the stem with the thread end of a spoke before opening the tire and pouring in the sealant.
I didn't have any Panaracer sealant to try, but I have used it with Squirt sealant, which uses little microbeads. The microbeads required some coaxing to go through the valve stem, but they did eventually make it through. Generally speaking, though, I'd say if you're using a sealant that can't normally be injected through a valve stem, it's probably not going to go through when gravity-fed, either.
I trust you have had a better experience with the Presta Pro heads than I have. The initial months were great, but after regular usage the head began to leak air at pressures above 60 psi. That is ok for most of my bikes, but I have an old Lemond that only takes 25mm tires and a wheel-based smart trainer that needs 110 psi. Universal Cycles replaced the first head without hesitation (great company), but the replacement quickly developed the same problem. I have since moved to a Silca Hirobel head, which works perfectly, even if it is a bit fiddly.
Bummer to hear! Mine has indeed been fine since I first started using it back in April, although I should say the majority of my inflation duties these days hover around the 20-60 psi range. Any chance you've contacted Prestacycle directly to ask about your issues?
Really enjoy getting your newsletter! It’s interesting to read that you are investigating TPU for fat tires, I went in the opposite direction and use TPU instead of tubeless in my road tires. So much less hassle and even more reliable (so far) than trying to use sealant. FWIW, I use 30mm Grand Prix at about 55-60 psi. The variation in tubeless ready wheel dimensions/tire fitment from brand to brand was my breaking point and I haven’t regretted making the change.
Thanks for the review on the Sealant Funnel. I had been frustrated with the Park Tools and Radar Lab syringes when using sealant. ( I need to note that I love the Radar Lab syringes for carbon paste and grease). I ordered the funnel and have used it a handful of times already.
I would love, love, love if there was a UDH adapter developed for the non-UDH Crux like 5Dev did, bummer they discontinued it. Please let us know if you hear of one!!
Hi Kent, Reid with Biggie Components here. Ive developed a troublesome solution for the Specialized Crux/Diverge. Its a rather unreliable adaptation due to the dimensions of Specialized frame. If we figure out something full proof that doesnt require modifying the frame we will reach for some beta testers.
I would be more than happy to beta test whenever you figure something out. I'm in Phoenix, AZ if that matters. Thanks and good luck! I think there's a pretty big market for that one.
Have you been able to find the fat bike TPU tubes with presta valves?
The listing on Aliexpress isn't written very well (go figure). The Presta valves are listed as "SV" (and are available with white or black valve stems), while the Schrader valves are listed as "AV" (for automotive valve).
Thanks!
The funnel just blew my mind. Thanks for including this as well as the initial review on this iteration. If sealant just pours straight through before it can be measured why limit to 30ml? Maybe a larger funnel, using a shimano-style stopper plug used on brake bleed funnels, and graduated markings, would make sense.
Will it work with Reserve Fillmore valves?
I didn't try it on Reserve valves since the funnel won't thread on (because of the issue I mentioned in the newsletter). That said, I don't like to inject sealant into Fillmores in general since any sealant that's left over inside the body will tend to solidify on top of the plunger at the end.
Removing the valve and disassembling the Fillmore what was pain in the ass. Then I had to scrub the dried sealant to fix why it was filling so slowly. I didn't install sealant through the valve so I am unsure how it clogged.d.
thanks!
Hi James - thanks very much for the sealant calculator (and the newsletter!) Since I'm using tubeless for both gravel and MTB, it was helpful to me to have your calculator also use inches (and why not, fluid ounces).
I've set it up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uuWcmA2gwDc_EaME1SjihY0z-H9FEZM3Nt_LW5376U0/edit?usp=sharing
(you still enter width in mm, but it autoconverts to inches. For MTB, you just guesstimate in mm until you get to the right width). Hope you find it useful (esp. for those chunky boi fatbike tires).
Today was the first chance I had to use the Straz Sealant Funnel.
I was renewing dried out sealant in mounted tires, unused since last fall.
The valve stems needed to be cleared, and I installed new cores after.
The Straz Funnel threaded on easily
I used Panaracer Seal Smart, which has ground walnut shells in it, and needs to be shaken vigorously to suspend the ground shells in the liquid. This foams the sealant. I can not inject this sealant as it clogs (seals) in the valve stem. Was hoping it was because it was under pressure.
Poured the foamy sealant into the funnel on the first tire.
The liquid did flow in but the funnel remained full of foam. Opened the tire and saw minimal sealant inside. Cleaned the foam out into the tire and poured in more before remounting the bead.
Tire 2: foamy sealant into the funnel, and the valve stem clogged.
Made a mess removing the funnel.
Cleaned out the stem with the thread end of a spoke before opening the tire and pouring in the sealant.
Will try the funnel again with Orange Seal.
I didn't have any Panaracer sealant to try, but I have used it with Squirt sealant, which uses little microbeads. The microbeads required some coaxing to go through the valve stem, but they did eventually make it through. Generally speaking, though, I'd say if you're using a sealant that can't normally be injected through a valve stem, it's probably not going to go through when gravity-fed, either.
I was hoping.
Going to try using the spoke to encourage flow next time.
I’m still suspect of a sealant that claims to work on large holes but doesn’t clog the stem when injected
CO2 saving leaderboards would be great except they’d be clogged with recreational racer bois marking their 100km rides as “commutes”
Sadly, yes :(
I trust you have had a better experience with the Presta Pro heads than I have. The initial months were great, but after regular usage the head began to leak air at pressures above 60 psi. That is ok for most of my bikes, but I have an old Lemond that only takes 25mm tires and a wheel-based smart trainer that needs 110 psi. Universal Cycles replaced the first head without hesitation (great company), but the replacement quickly developed the same problem. I have since moved to a Silca Hirobel head, which works perfectly, even if it is a bit fiddly.
Bummer to hear! Mine has indeed been fine since I first started using it back in April, although I should say the majority of my inflation duties these days hover around the 20-60 psi range. Any chance you've contacted Prestacycle directly to ask about your issues?
Prestacycle is sending another head. Hope third time is the charm.
Really enjoy getting your newsletter! It’s interesting to read that you are investigating TPU for fat tires, I went in the opposite direction and use TPU instead of tubeless in my road tires. So much less hassle and even more reliable (so far) than trying to use sealant. FWIW, I use 30mm Grand Prix at about 55-60 psi. The variation in tubeless ready wheel dimensions/tire fitment from brand to brand was my breaking point and I haven’t regretted making the change.
Tubeless most definitely isn't the best option for everyone.