How to Repair a Tubeless Tire on the Road, Step by Step

Tubeless tires are brilliant until the sealant cannot keep up with a bigger cut. The good news: most tubeless punctures can be fixed by the side of the road in a few minutes, without removing the wheel or fitting a tube. Here is how to do it calmly and correctly.

What happens when a tubeless tire punctures

A tubeless setup relies on liquid sealant that plugs tiny holes automatically. For pinholes, you may never notice. But a cut from glass, flint or a sharp stone can be too large for sealant alone. When you see sealant spraying and pressure dropping, that is your cue to plug it.

What you need

• A tubeless plug tool with repair strips, such as the INFLATA Plugs Pro
• A pump to reinflate, ideally a compact electric one like the INFLATA Pro S
• A few seconds of patience

Step by step

1. Find the puncture

Spin the wheel slowly and look for escaping air or sealant. Mark the spot with your thumb. Keep the puncture at a reachable position, usually near the top of the wheel.

2. Insert the plug

Load a repair strip into the plugger. Push it firmly into the hole until most of the strip is inside the tire, then pull the tool straight out. The strip stays behind and the sealant bonds around it. Do not remove the excess; trim it only if it is very long.

3. Reinflate and check

Pump the tire back up to your normal pressure. With the Pro S you set your target and it stops automatically. Spin the wheel again and listen. If the plug holds and pressure is stable, you are ready to ride.

When a plug is enough, and when it is not

A plug handles the large majority of trail and road punctures. If the casing is torn or the hole is on the sidewall, a plug may not seal reliably. In that case, fit a tube to get home and inspect the tire properly afterwards.

The difference between a five minute fix and a long walk home is carrying the right tool before you need it.

Be ready before it happens

The INFLATA Plugs Pro is designed to live in your kit and pair with the Pro S pump, so you can plug and reinflate in one go. Both ship from our own stock in the Netherlands, with delivery in 1 to 2 working days in NL and 2 to 3 across the EU, and 30 days free returns.