SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
Race Day Sealing Power + Endurance Driven Performance
SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant uses the power of a foaming latex formula combined with chopped carbon fibers to boost sealing power even at higher pressures. Ultimate Tubeless Sealant contains 5% by volume, 6, 9, and 12mm chopped carbon fibers which have been reclaimed from recycled bicycles, carbon wheels, race cars, and aircraft components. A unique foaming latex formula allows for the very lightweight carbon fibers to be evenly dispersed within the sealant while riding, which allows for a higher fiber content than possible with Kevlar or fiberglass.
At this high fiber loading, bundles of carbon fiber are carried directly to the puncture by the sealant flow where thousands of micro-bubbles collapse on each other, depositing their high stiffness carbon fibers over the hole. During this process, the carbon fibers form a dam of fibers against the tire casing not unlike a beaver dam of sticks blocking the flow of a stream. This dam of high stiffness/high strength fibers has been shown to seal holes in testing up to 7.5mm, some 25% larger than conventional technologies.
Since the beginning of tubeless tires for bicycles, sealant manufacturers have all been working along the same performance continuum. All sealants start as either a natural or synthetic latex rubber which is then thinned with a solvent of some sort as well as an anti-freeze agent (sometimes the solvent is also the anti-freeze agent). Many companies add particles to these mixtures that become lodged in the puncture to help slow the flow of sealant and to promote sealing. These particles have been everything from glitter, to microfiber, fiberglass, walnut shells, and even cornmeal.
When developing the formulas, manufacturers have always had to balance the same trade-offs… less solvent or anti-freeze results in sealants that can seal larger holes, also dry out much faster. Examples here are Orange Seal or Stan’s Race Day, these contain high latex / low solvent/anti-freeze percentages and high particulate loadings giving them the ability to seal holes up to 6mm. The downside, however, is that both of these need to be replenished or replaced every 4-6 weeks and as soon as 2 weeks in hot/dry conditions. On the other side of the coin, you have original Stan’s and Orange Seal Endurance, both of which contain higher percentages of solvent/anti-freeze allowing them to last much longer, 4-6 months inside the tire, but then are not as capable of sealing larger holes, in fact, the long-lasting formulas sacrifice up to 50% of puncture sealing ability!
- The sealing power of race specific formulas (6+mm holes) with the longevity of long-lasting formulas (120-180 days)
- FiberFoam® Technology uses a blend of 6mm, 9mm, and 12mm long carbon
fibers which are 400% stiffer than glass fibers with better dispersion
in the sealant to bridge punctures for faster sealing resulting in less air loss - Must be poured into tire during tire install! Ultimate Tubeless Sealant will plug any syringe or valve hole you try to pump it through!
- Effective down to 10°F / -12°C
- Ultimate Tubeless Sealant available in three sizes: 8 oz, 16 oz, and 32 oz. Ultimate Tubeless Sealant Replenisher available in 4oz size
CARBON FIBER IS THE KEY
This is where the magic of carbon fiber comes into play. Having the highest stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratio of any sealant additive, the combination of very light carbon fibers combined with foaming technology guarantee excellent, even dispersion throughout the sealant so that they can very quickly be carried to a puncture when it occurs. The stiffness of these fibers means that they immediately begin bridging and damming the puncture as soon as it occurs, rapidly capturing subsequent fibers behind them as more sealant exits the hole. This rapid sealing effect means that punctures seal faster and with less air pressure loss.
FiberFoam® technology is so effective, that it actually makes SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant impossible to pump through a valve or into a syringe in the first place! In our testing, the fiber dam was able to plug syringe holes up to 8mm when filling and will plug the valve every single time, so it must be poured into the tire upon install. This is why we created SILCA Ultimate Replenisher, a version of the sealant with no carbon fiber and a few percentages higher of anti-freeze, which is capable of replenishing old sealant while also being “pumpable” through a syringe.
A Common Fiber: The Perfect Partnership
Recycling carbon bicycles, aircrafts, race cars and more
The mission at CARBON FIBER RECYCLING is to recycle 100% of your carbon fiber waste. Your fiber is transformed into short chopped recycled fiber that can be used in any application that uses a chopped fiber. See how we do it.
TRY the SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant System
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
with FiberFoam® Technology
Starting with a clean, tubeless tire, use the 'pour in' method when installing on a tubeless rim. The quick sealing power makes it impossible to use a syringe or through the valve stem. When we say we can seal a +6mm, we mean it. The key is the carbon fiber that rushes to a puncture or open source and creates a fiber dam coagulant for a extremely effect seal.
Starting with a clean, tubeless tire, use the 'pour in' method when installing on a tubeless rim. The quick sealing power makes it impossible to use a syringe or through the valve stem. When we say we can seal a +6mm, we mean it. The key is the carbon fiber that rushes to a puncture or open source and creates a fiber dam coagulant for a extremely effect seal.
SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant
REPLENISHER
Every three months, we recommend the Ultimate Tubeless Sealant Replenisher. This maintenance can administered through the valve stem and refreshes the sealant. The Replenisher does not contain carbon fiber and supplies fluidity to the existing Ultimate Tubeless Sealant. Extending the life to up to one year. We recommend cleaning out your tire and reset the wheels every year.
Every three months, we recommend the Ultimate Tubeless Sealant Replenisher. This maintenance can administered through the valve stem and refreshes the sealant. The Replenisher does not contain carbon fiber and supplies fluidity to the existing Ultimate Tubeless Sealant. Extending the life to up to one year. We recommend cleaning out your tire and reset the wheels every year.
How to: INSTALLATION
REPLENISHMENT SCHEDULE
Making Recycled Carbon Fiber
This video answers this question as it has been asked many times since we launched the Ultimate Tubeless Sealant with FiberFoam® technology this year. In the initial step, Step One, pouring in the sealant is rather important, since the FiberFoam® will plug any injector. Watch this 3 1/2 minute video to see how easy it is without making a huge mess.
Based off temperate climates, below would be your average maintenance schedule for every 3-4 months. If you are in a humid and cooler climate, the average replenish will be every 4-5 months. And if you are in a hotter, dryer climate the replenishment period will be accelerated to every 2-3 months.
Carbon Fiber = Environmentally Neutral
From a carbon frame to the finished product, carbon fiber is a lengthy process that deserves much respect. The recycled product is repurposed for many projects from concrete to SILCA's new Ultimate Tubeless Sealant. Some graphic material may be seen if you are sensitive to carbon bicycle frames being processed.