CO2 bombs and sealant

[Pacman777]

Does anyone know; is it the CO2 itself that causes sealant to congeal or the way the CO2 bomb is used?  

 

From my personal experience I have had severe cases of congealment (i.e. a rubber ball) and then some where the congealment was not that bad (a few strings).  

 

Thinking back, the only difference that I could think of were the way in which I inflated i.e. if the valve was at the bottom of the tire and I inflated "through" the pool of sealant it definitely congealed.  I have not experimented enough but perhaps it is the effect of the ice cold CO2 blowing through the liquid sealant rather than the presence of CO2?

[rouxtjie]

mmmmm I wont say its the sole reason....Its more a case of it accelerates the process.

 

I have taken balls out of tyres that were never bombed.

[MuddyMike]

To reduce the "rubber ball" effect always have your valve at the top, give the sealant a few seconds to drain to the bottom and if possible bomb it a little slower. I alwayts carry a small hand pump and only use bombs for emergencies.... The CO2 has zero moisture so your sealant may dry out a little faster but you should check your sealant regularly anyway.......

[MrJacques]

I've heard several theories:

 

- The cold causes the issue

- It reacts with the ammonia in the sealant

- It's a dry gas and reduces the moisture content and makes the latex dry up quicker.

 

Either way, if you need to use CO2 in an emergency and you have Stans in the tyres its a good idea to put some fresh sealant in afterwards.

 

Edit: check out this old Hub thread: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/101621-co2-bombs-dry-up-sealant/page-2

 

I have yet to try it, but I've heard of another sealant called PS2 tyre fluid which looks promising.

[Frohan]

Never inflate with youre valve at the bottom and always gives it a few seconds so that sealant can run down.

 

I also use the bombs just in races and otherwise a handpump.

 

Check your sealant every 3 months and in summer maybe every 2 months.

[MTBc]

and ride with a small bottle of sealant too....

[Cassie]

mmmmm I wont say its the sole reason....Its more a case of it accelerates the process.

 

I have taken balls out of tyres that were never bombed.

 

 

Ditto!  wise words...in my case not balls per se but "strings"...Id' say this si exactly the way sealsnt should work...but over time (if no major holes) then it seals onto itsself...