However, we should acknowledge the shortcomings of this protocol. We also considered the cost per unit volume when scoring and ranking the sealants. Those that sealed the biggest holes, or held the most pressure with a given size of hole, were deemed to perform the best. This test was intended to see how easily the sealants could access the harder-to-reach parts of the tyre. We also inserted a 2mm pick halfway up the sidewall of the tyre, spun the wheel in the vertical plane, and measured how much air was lost from our 30psi starting point. We then tested with a 6mm, then an 8mm screwdriver, or until the tyre would no longer hold 30psi. The same hole was widened by inserting a 4mm screwdriver, and the process was repeated. The tyre was spun until the hole was sealed and the pressure loss was then measured, before re-inflating to 30psi. We then stabbed the tyre on the outer casing, between the tread blocks, using a 2mm pick. Using this method, we can be fairly confident that the order in which the sealants were tested didn’t affect the results.Īfter thoroughly shaking the bottle of sealant, we installed 100ml of each into the tyre (27.5in x 2.3in), inflated to 30psi, then span and shook the wheel to ensure the tyre was evenly coated. Instead, we used two of the same model of tyre (Michelin Wild Grip’R 2), and tested three sealants with each tyre (please note that the tyres shown in the video are not the tyres used in our tests).Īfter we’d finished testing a sealant, we thoroughly cleaned the tyre with water and rags, plugged the existing holes in the tyre with tape, and tested the next sealant on a different section of tyre. In an ideal world, we would have used a different tyre for each sealant, but this would be extremely wasteful. Also, worn-out tyres may not seal the same as brand-new ones, so we used box-fresh tyres for all sealants. Therefore, we performed comparative tests in our workshop, controlling the variables as much as possible.Īll the tyres needed to be identical because the tyre casing makes a big difference to its ability to seal (generally, thicker casings seal more easily). The tyre, temperature and the type or position of the puncture all affect the sealant’s ability to seal. The problem with real-world testing is that it’s impossible to test each sealant in the same conditions.
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