Flat tubeless tyres - what to do: 6 repair kits for tubeless tyres in the BIKE test

This article was first published in April 2020 and was revised in June 2024.

The Maxalami stand in Willingen is packed with onlookers like a fairground attraction. They gaze in fascination at a tyre that looks as if it is infested with maggots. Countless of these creatures seem to be eating their way through the rubber. But the showpiece is actually covered in tubeless patches. These are used when the milk in the tyre can no longer seal holes that are too large. For tubeless riders, the brown or black "sausages" should be part of the standard equipment. They are very easy to use: the plug is usually inserted into a kind of fork and pressed into the hole together with the "sausage". When pulled out, the plug gets stuck and vulcanises with the tyre rubber. If you react quickly enough, you can continue your journey after just a few strokes of the air pump.

Because holes up to around three millimetres are usually sealed by the sealant, the repair kits have to prove themselves in the test on larger calibres: the tools have to seal three, four, five and six millimetre holes as well as a six millimetre cut.

The 6 repair kits for tubeless tyres in the test

• Blackburn Pro Plugger
• Dynaplug Air Kit
• Lezyne Tubeless CO2 Blaster
• Maxalami Twister 2.0
• Sahmurai S.W.O.R.D.
• Stan's Dart Tool

Blackburn Pro Plugger

• Price: 45,00 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight in M: 42 grammes
• Info: blackburndesign.com
• Scope of delivery: Tubeless tool, 5 rubber strips (1.5 mm), valve tool, holder
• Replacement strips: 10 pieces for 5,99 Euro

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 4/10
• Handling (40 %): 6/10

Conclusion: The Pro Plugger is barely bigger than a lipstick and can be firmly attached to the frame thanks to the practical holder. The sleeve conceals replacement patches and a valve tool. The thick reamer is difficult to insert in conjunction with the small button. The 1.5 millimetre thin patches fail even at the smallest hole. Only an additional plug seals the puncture.

BIKE judgement: satisfactory 33 points

Dynaplug Air Kit

• Price: 72,90 Euro
• Weight in M: 61 grammes
• Info: dynaplug.com
• Scope of delivery: Tubeless tool, 4 plugs, CO² pump with extension hose, brush, bag
• Replacement plugs: 5 pieces / 11,90 Euro

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 8/10
• Handling (40 %): 9/10

Conclusion: The tool from the USA is the luxury solution for punctures. The plugs can be easily positioned using the arrowhead. If you push the spike all the way in, you can refill the tyre with air at the same time. When pulling out, the tip remains reliably in the tyre. Large holes are only sealed in conjunction with the thicker mega plugs. Can also be used as a CO² pump thanks to the hose.

BIKE judgement: very good 51 points

Lezyne Tubeless CO² Blaster

• Price: 44,95 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight in M: 67 grammes
• Info: lezyne.com
• Scope of delivery: CO² pump, tubeless tool, 5 rubber strips (3.5 mm), fastening strap
• Replacement strips: 10 pieces for 4,95 Euro

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 9/10
• Handling (40 %): 7/10

Conclusion: The Lezyne tool repairs and inflates the tyre at the same time and is always ready to hand thanks to its practical holder. Unfortunately, it is a little awkward to use: the thick awl is difficult to insert into small holes and the rubber strip can block the CO² opening. Thanks to the pull-off aid, the plug stays securely in the hole. All holes were tight, the cut was not complete.

BIKE judgement: very good 50 points

Maxalami Twister 2.0

• Price: 28,90 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight in M: 16 grammes
• Info: maxalami.com
• Scope of delivery: Tubeless tool for the handlebars, 3 rubber strips (3.5 mm)
• Replacement plugs: 10 x 3.5 mm for 9.90 euros / 5 x 1.5 mm for 3.90 euros

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 9/10
• Handling (40 %): 9/10

Conclusion: The lightweight twister is always ready for use in the handlebar end. The sturdy tool is well supported in the palm of your hand. This allows the 3.5 millimetre thick "racing sausages" to be pressed securely into the tyre. The plugs reliably seal holes and cuts of up to six millimetres. The Twister is particularly practical in conjunction with the revolver. Inexpensive replacement plugs.

BIKE judgement: very good 55 points

Sahmurai S.W.O.R.D.

• Price: 29,90 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight in M: 20 grammes
• Info: sahmurai-sword.com
• Scope of delivery: Tubeless tool and file for the handlebars, 5 rubber strips (3.5 mm)
• Replacement plugs: 10 pieces for 11,90 Euro

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 9/10
• Handling (40 %): 7/10

Conclusion: The Sahmurai tool also sits in the handlebar end, although not as firmly as the Twister. The tools sit comfortably in the hand and are quickly ready for use. The reamer cleans the hole, the 3.5-millimetre rubbers seal holes up to six millimetres well. However, they fail on larger cuts. One small drawback: the plugs are difficult to thread into the fork.

BIKE judgement: very good 51 points

Stan's Dart Tool

• Price: 24,95 Euro >> available here at a reduced price
• Weight in M: 15 grammes
• Info: notubes.com
• Scope of delivery: Tubeless tool, 2 arrows, valve tool
• Spare arrows: 5 pieces for 19,95 Euro

BIKE rating

• Tightness (60 %): 8/10
• Handling (40 %): 7/10

Conclusion: Lightweight and compact, the Dart Tool fits in even the smallest of pockets. The tool head prevents the patch from being pressed too far into the tyre, but does not fit perfectly in the hand. The patches react with the sealant in the tyre and plug holes up to five millimetres, but the cut is not completely sealed. Small hooks on the arrows prevent the arrows from tearing out.

BIKE judgement: good 45 points

More tubeless repair kits, sealing foam & patches in the test (2018) - click here >>