Is sealant really worth it?

[gravelreformist]

Originally Posted by 9tubes

Anyone seen a rolling resistance test on old wheels with old sealant? You know, a set of nice tires for fast riding, but after a year of replenishing sealant. How much do they weigh, and how well do they roll?

I've tried to get Bicycle Rolling Resistance to test this. The owner actually replied and said he didn't think it was practical. I do think it would be relatively minor. I've removed Silca sealant from a number of tires and it mostly pulls off in one skin layer - very thin - much thinner than even a latex tube. But who knows. Would seem more interesting than a fourth test of the same tire in different sizes.

[54ny77]

i tried it for a year or so but because i ride different bikes, sometimes a sealant-filled tube could go unridden for months at a clip. so the sealant gets old and crusty, much like myself.

that, plus the fact that i once watched as sealant flew out like a faucet and didn't, you know, seal....the whole experience left me deflated.