How to Use Bike Tire Sealant

Tubeless Ready tires are not completely airtight, which is especially important to know in Canada’s seasonal climates. You need a sealant to ensure a proper seal. Combining a Tubeless Ready tire and sealant not only improves air retention, but also enhances puncture resistance, especially important on gravel roads, trails, and pothole-ridden urban routes.

Sealant won’t negatively affect rolling resistance, making it an efficient solution year-round.

Tip: Choose your sealant based on your riding style and tire pressure:

• Road Cycling (high pressures) – Use lightweight, fast-flowing sealants.

• Gravel & MTB (low pressures) – Thicker formulas better seal larger punctures.

Although tire sealant is primarily used inside Tubeless Ready tires, it can also be injected into inner tubes to repair small punctures, a practical solution for TubeType and Tubular tires.

By injecting the sealant into the tube, it plugs small holes and allows you to keep riding, which is especially useful for long-distance or remote routes across Canada.

Michelin Protek Max inner tubes come pre-filled with tire sealant, eliminating the mess of manual injection. They’re available in two versions, City and MTB. These are great for Canadian riders who want low-maintenance puncture protection, especially during commutes in wet or variable weather conditions.

1/ Check the Expiration Date

Before using, make sure the sealant hasn’t passed its expiry date, as exposure to air over time reduces its effectiveness. In Canadian climates with cold winters, using fresh sealant is especially important to ensure proper flow and sealing ability.

2/ Remove the Wheel

Removing the wheel is not required, but it's highly recommended. It makes the process easier and ensures a more even distribution of the sealant inside the tire.

3/ Shake the Sealant Bottle Well

Tire sealant contains components like latex particles, water, and stabilizers. Shake the bottle thoroughly before injecting. This step is crucial in low temperatures, as materials can separate more easily during storage.

4/ Unscrew the Top Part of the Valve

Determine your valve type:

PRESTA – Slim, often used for road and performance bikes.

SCHRADER – Wider, standard on city and mountain bikes.

Unscrew the valve core using a tool or included adapter to allow proper injection of the sealant.

No. Contrary to common belief, inflating the tire to maximum pressure and letting it rest overnight does not improve sealing.

Instead:

Inflate the tire to your normal rolling pressure

Shake the wheel thoroughly immediately after sealing

Tire sealant remains effective only for a limited time. This varies based on riding frequency, climate, and storage conditions. Over time, sealant will either dry up into a rubbery film or break into clumps, rendering it ineffective.

In Canadian winters, where temperature swings and higher humidity are common, sealant may dilute or lose effectiveness more quickly.

General Recommendation:

Check your tire sealant every 3 months

Top it up based on usage and climate conditions

Fully replace it every time you change your tire

Disposal Tip:

Always refer to the product box for recycling or safe disposal instructions. Guidelines vary across Canada by province and municipality.

With tubeless-ready tires, many punctures go unnoticed. The sealant usually plugs the hole instantly, allowing you to ride on uninterrupted.

However, for larger punctures that cause noticeable pressure loss, here's what to do:

Step-by-step best practice:

1. Identify the leak, which is often visible due to liquid sealant spraying out.

2. Stop riding and position the damaged section facing downward to help sealant flow directly to the puncture.

3. Let the sealant sit for several minutes.

4. This drying time is essential. Do not re-inflate immediately, as air pressure may force sealant out.

5. Once the leak stops, re-inflate the tire to rolling pressure and monitor for any pressure loss over time.