If you are not running tubeless tires these days then you just simply aren't cool. Well maybe we won't go that far but it does seem like everyone is doing is so if you aren't, why not? Maybe you have been thinking about going tubeless but don't know if its for you. There are pros and cons to running tubeless but the benefits seem to outweigh the downsides. So before we get into talking about Orange Seal let's talk about tubeless tires. |
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One benefit of going tubeless is that you can run lower tire pressure for more traction and not risk pinch flats. Another benefit is when you run over something like a thorn you can pull it out and let the sealant do its thing and seal up the hole. Keep in mind that if your sealant is dried out then it's not going to help you. Also when you don't have inner tubes you have less rotating mass to turn and also you bike will be lighter.
On the downside you have to be sure to add fresh sealant every few months or so to make sure you have it in a liquid state within your tires. It's also better to use "tubeless ready" tires even though you can get regular tires to work tubeless for the most part. You also need special valve stems that need to have an air tight seal against the inside of the wheel.
Now that we have that out of the way let's talk about Orange Seal tire sealant. There aren't a lot of big players in the sealant market since Stan's still has the market share when it comes to tubeless. But the biggest doesn't always mean the best! One thing we liked the best about Orange Seal is how it seems to coat everything inside the tire including the bead which helps against pressure loss which is common in tubeless setups. We would check the pressure before a ride and then go have some fun and put the bike away. Then a few days later check the pressure before the next ride and it would be almost exactly where we left off rather than being a 3-5 pounds low.
One thing we didn't like is that it didn't seem to last as long as Stan's and required that you added more or redid the sealant more frequently. Sometimes with Stan's you can get away with 6 months before having to deal with your sealant but Orange Seal didn't last that long and seemed to need to be topped off after a couple of months but you can extend that by adding more at the beginning. Plus the Orange Seal directions say to add more than the Stan's directions. 4 oz. for Orange and 3 oz. for Stan's. Orange Seal does have an endurance formula that they say lasts 2 to 3 times longer than their regular sealant. They also have their subzero version that is designed to work in frigid temperatures but should work well in warmer temperatures as well. Stan's has anti-freeze agents so it should work in cold places as well.
We will say that cleanup is easier with Orange Seal than Stan's because Stan's would dry up into little balls that flung around the inside of your wheel and the rest would stick to the tire like glue and be hard to remove. Some people just leave and add more so I suppose it's just a preference. You can use a Scotchbrite pad and get the inside of the tires cleaned with a little elbow grease.
As for how it seals punctures we have not had a problem with either unless the sealant is dried out. We sliced a tire on a rock (not all the way through) at a bike park with the Orange Sealant and it held together for the rest of the trip but once the bike sat and the sealant dried out it wouldn't hold the pressure long enough to use the bike without changing the sealant or tire. Orange Seal claims it will seal punctures up to 1/8" and slices up to 1/2". We recommend giving Orange Seal a try if you are Stan's fan. And if you do we suggest the endurance formula unless you like to change your sealant all the time.
