Tubeless tyres are great for performance and comfort, but repairing them on the road can be tricky without the right know-how. This guide explains how to fix a punctured tubeless tyre using sealant, plugs, or repair kits—and when it’s time to switch to a spare. With clear, practical steps, you'll feel prepared for any mid-ride puncture.
If you’re a cyclist or are at all familiar with bikes, then you will likely already know that there are different types of tyre available for cyclists.
Tubeless tyres are an expensive but popular option, which do not require a separate inner tube but instead hold air on their own. This means that they are fiddly to repair and replace if you get a puncture, though the self-contained nature of the tyre means that you can run tyres at a lower pressure and therefore minimise the risk of damage on off-road cycling and tracks.
In this article, we’re sharing a quick guide on how to respond to a damaged tubeless tyre when you’re out and about.
Do You Need to Carry a Spare Tyre?
Most cyclists will carry at least one tubeless spare tyre around with them when riding on these kinds of tyres, mainly because if the damage is too extensive or the hole too big, then repair becomes impossible.
So, even if you hope to repair a damaged tyre, having a back up is an important part of safe cycling – and will ensure that you can get home no matter the damage.
What to Do if You Puncture a Tubeless Tyre
You will immediately know when you get a puncture in one of your bike tyres.
The first thing to do is to safely stop and pull your bike off the road or track, giving yourself the space to remedy the situation and repair or replace the tyre.
Many punctures will be able to be repaired using tyre sealant. This sealant needs to be inserted into the tyre and allowed to settle over the hole, before you inflate the tyre again using a pump. This will typically work on holds up to 6mm or so in diameter.
Alternatively, you might opt for a tyre plug. This is a small plug that’s used to fill in the gap left by something which becomes embedded in your tyre. First, you need to remove the foreign item that has caused the damage, then insert the plug. Once in place, you can use your pump to add more air to the tyre again.
And then we come to the tyre repair kit – typically consisting of a repair patch which is stuck over the damaged area and used to plug any gaps before refilling the tyre with air.
If you find that these options don’t work, you’ll need to fall back on your spare tubeless tyre and replace the damaged tyre completely.
