Sounds like a good idea for the gf’s bike too! I hate changing tubes on my bike let alone someone else’s. And I don’t want to end up resenting her because she can’t change a tube lol
I run Stan’s sealant in my MTB tyres and it seems to work well - set up: ZTR rims and Stans Rim tape (w/o rim strips). User ‘Slinky’, my go-to man for all tubeless queries, has recommended me Ozriders’ SPEX sealant on a number of occasions.
With regard to cafelatex, I like the sound of it ‘frothing up’ when rolling but do not know anyone running tyres with it. To be honest I haven’t noticed any irregularity with wheel mass using regular latex milk, so maybe its is marketing stuff that doesn’t really matter in the real world. I have read mixed reviews of the cafelatex system (most criticism seems to be about their rim tape tho’).
Issues with using certain sealants seem to be supposed rim corrosion, but I have no experience with this. Sealants do dry up and needs to be replaced regularly.
I run Stans no tubes in my tubeless MTB wheel set and it is awsome. I like pulling out three corner jacks after a ride and watching the tyre “heal”.
I just got a commuter wheel set up and running comprising of Michellen tubes with removable valve, Stans no tubes and panaracer Ribmos. looking forward to punctureless winter commutes.
The only thing you need to worry about is not letting the tyres get go flat, for some reason makes the sealant go off.
Hutchinson make City Trekking tubes that have sealant in them already.
Bought a set from LBS for the super commuter as this what all they had in 700x37C at the time.
Seem good enough, but always make sure the valve is at the top of the rim when inflating
It’s all about the combo…
Stan’s works well on large holes but it’s slow to react ( you need to point the hole down and let the Stan’s flow through as it sloshes around in the bottom of the tire ) it drys out fast and it won’t go through a non removable valve core that well
Cafelatex foams up and reacts to holes much faster, can be put through a fixed valve core and dosent dry out so fast… But it’s to great with any thing bigger than 2.5mm dia.
Solution, for my tubbies I use 25mls of cafe and 15-20mls of Stan’s… Mixed up first…
You can put it through a fixed valve, and it works so good I got 2 punchers on my ride from Bondi to Newcastle, one front and a rear…
Neither did I notice when they happened or had to involve myself with… And I only noticed because I discovered latex on the frame.
Worst case you stop. Pull the glass/stone chip, and roll the tire down to let the Stan’s flow through the hole. Once it’s sealed up nice the tire is fixed, pretty much for good.
If its bad or takes ages to heal you might need a little air… Usually you don’t even notice until you stop…
It pays also to not let your tires sit completely flat as the latex can stick the tube togeather, causing massive failure when you repump the tube again
Oh and it will work just the same in clinchers. I got the mixing it tip from a MTB site by the way… The only bad thing is it makes a mess when sprayed every where…
And the espresso shots and pit stops are crap…
A small bottle of Stan’s, a valve core spanner and a pump is a much better idea for a spares kit.