WTB Launches Range of TCS Tire Sealant

Oct 18, 2021
by Ed Spratt  

WTB has launched its new range of tubeless sealants to complete its TCS system of tubeless tires, rims, wheels, valves and tape.

The new sealant range uses WTB's new proprietary formula to repair punctures of up to 6mm using fibers and crystalline particles. WTB claims this will quickly create a flexible and long-lasting repair. TCS sealant uses what WTB describes as an ammonia-free tackifying process to seal punctures, not the evaporative effects of ammonia-based formulas. WTB claim this difference means its sealant will work better in the wet, where other sealants may have issues due to minimal evaporation.

Alongside this, WTB has also decided to optimize its new sealant for temperatures down to 15°F (-9.4°C). Instead of choosing to use higher amounts of antifreeze to operate in temperatures as low as 0°F (similar to other sealants), WTB decided to reduce the amount of antifreeze and replace it with additional latex to improve sealing performance. Although this does mean for people frequently riding at temperatures below 15°F (-9.4°C) it potentially may not work as well.


TCS Tubeless Tire Sealant is available in 4oz, 8oz, 16oz and 32oz bottles with measuring gradients included to make it easy to see how much is being poured out. WTB's TCS tire sealant is currently available in Europe and will be available in North America soon. Prices range from $6.95 for 4oz to $27.95 for the largest 32oz bottles. You can find out more here.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks WTB


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112 Comments

  • 86 12
 First company to offer a sustainable packaging solution for periphery MTB products like sealant will win my loyalty. One time use tiny plastic bottles are shameful and obscene.
  • 31 0
 I just buy the massive bottles, the stuff keeps and if you have 2 bikes with tubeless, you will go through it with time.
  • 23 8
 @adrennan: In our household, even the biggest bottles don't last a season. A refill program could be a step forward.
  • 20 17
 @sideknob: as could having a smaller household. Just saying and I pollute everyday (part of the problem and not the solution).
  • 100 2
 I give this same argument to the guy at the liquor store when I see the little pocket bottles, but he never believes my 3 gallons of bulk vodka are saving the environment
  • 38 2
 @sideknob: Buying big bottles is still better than buying small bottles, because you reduce the number of small bottles used and you reduce the pollution from shipping.

It would be nice to have bike shops have massive 50+ gallon tanks of the sealant, and you just show up and fill up a bottle, pay your per-ounce fee, and leave. Supports local shops, reduces pollution, reduces waste.
  • 8 1
 @sideknob: Also super-annoying that in the past, Orange Seal at least has restricted the sales of its big 32oz bottles from bike shops.

They'll let you buy the 8oz and 16oz, sure, but specifically prohibit (or at least prohibited) shops from selling customers the 32oz.

We have a stupidly large family with a stupidly large number of bikes, all set up tubeless. We're going through at least one 32oz bottle a season. It's frustrating that I have to buy big-sized Orange Seal online instead of locally.
  • 5 0
 Hopefully one of them reads this. I'd like too see someone going the path of like Muc-Off where you can buy their wash kits and then buy the refills in the bags. But I'd like to see people go a step farther and maybe send the in tetra packs that can be recycled completely. Too much damned plastic getting used that doesn't need to be.
  • 21 0
 @nickfranko: I can see it now: a sealant refill station in your LBS. They'd have to use one of those Slurpee machines to keep the sealant all mixed up lol
  • 3 0
 @crazyXCsquirrel: I mean if you can do it with honey and peanut butter... why not sealant.

You should put a patent on that right now. Just sayin.
  • 10 0
 Can't help but think someone could sell a powder instead of the fluid, and we could mix it at home. Note: not a chemist.
  • 17 3
 what do you do for shampoo? salad dressing? a million other things?
I get your point but tire sealant seems like a pretty minor one compared to many others.
  • 2 0
 @adrennan: if someone would make a 1 gallon or even a 2.5gallon jug with a pump I would be all about that. With 6 tubeless bikes in our garage we go through a lot.
  • 7 0
 @plyawn: Solid blocks of shampoo and conditioner are awesome! Make your own salad dressing from basic ingredients. It's not as hard as you think to decrease the amount of plastic you consume. It does take a little bit of thought though, and I totally accept that some people don't have the time or energy to invest in doing so.

I personally would like to see a biodegradable sealant. That will win me over from tried and true Stans.
  • 4 0
 @atourgates: Blows my mind that even shops only have access to 32oz portions!!!
  • 2 0
 @sideknob check out mountain flow bike products.
  • 1 0
 @sunringlerider: In the days before Stans was commonplace, that is exactly how shops would 'thorn proof' your tubes. IIRC QBP sold it. Did it 1000x.
  • 4 0
 Glass bottles.
  • 2 0
 @atourgates: Been ordering 32oz bottles of Orange Seal from Jenson and Universal for years.
  • 4 0
 @CarlMega: We had a 5 gallon bucket of slime in the old days and would pump it into customer tubes and charge whatever per tire.
  • 2 11
flag Kptzbik (Oct 18, 2021 at 22:11) (Below Threshold)
 Due to that and common problems related to riding on sealant i returned to using classic tubes... For normal rider who doesn't buy new tires every week sealant is pain in the ass... You don't have punctures for a long time, then when you have puncture everything has dried up already. Scraping old dried sealant is almost impossible, al just refilling tire removes your advantage with lighter wheel. Weight new wheel at the the beginning of the season and after the season, then compare with tube.
  • 8 0
 @Kptzbik: sealant could weigh a pound and I’d still use tubeless
Well… I mean, a pound is actually a lot, but you get the idea, tubeless is amazing

Maintenance can get annoying I agree, but adding sealant twice a year seems to be enough for me
  • 1 0
 @atourgates: Didn't see 32 oz bottle of Orange Seal in the Europe yet... 16 oz is the largest you can get here.
  • 6 1
 @Kptzbik: ride more and you will wear out your tires before the sealant dries up.

Your welcome.
  • 8 0
 @Kptzbik: congrats for living in a place without spiky plants. between goatheads and cacti, you would never keep a traditional tube setup inflated in utah.
  • 3 8
flag vegankidd (Oct 19, 2021 at 7:51) (Below Threshold)
 Such a liberal moment lol
  • 4 1
 @plyawn: Just buy tubes. No bottles.
  • 2 0
 @fabwizard: *you're welcome
  • 1 0
 @sideknob: If we want to get technical it should have been " Yer Welcome Yall"
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: hehe. Yes. But seriously *Yer welcome, y'all.
  • 2 0
 @adrennan: Same here in AZ. You wouldn't make it 5 miles even if you packed 2 extra tubes, a handful of CO2's cartridges and a hand pump. The Mesquites, Palo Verdes, Cactus and Goat Heads would have you afoot before you knew you where out of everything but the pump. The only good thing is if you pull the thorns out between rides it'll let you know when it's time to top up your sealant before you hit the trail again. They're like a Dip Stick for your tires. Smile
  • 2 0
 @nickfranko: Yes. We would all have Stan Growlers.
  • 1 0
 @sunringlerider: Trucker Co Cream comes in 4L/1gal jugs
  • 1 0
 @cyclecuse: you just firmly closed my front door. Thank you.
  • 1 0
 @Grutten: honest question: isn't all sealant (at least if it doesn't have sparkles added) biodegradeable? It's the packaging that people were complaining about. They wanted a sealant growler and bulk barn solution if I understand them correctly.
  • 1 0
 @plyawn: Sealant is liquid latex. That doesn't biodegrade.
  • 26 0
 This is an interesting product, but WTB have a lot of competition with Stans, OrangeSeal and the others. Personally I'd like to see the development of a sealant-proof valve core, one that doesn't quickly get gummed up with latex over time.
  • 18 2
 Get a valve core remover, super simple to keep it cleaned out.
  • 60 1
 QUICKLY OVER TIME
  • 8 1
 Remove your valve core. Spray WD-40 in the core and let it sit for a few minutes. WD-40 breaks down latex.
  • 3 0
 Forgot to mention that you then just wash with warm water and itll come out easily.
  • 5 2
 When you add air to your tire, have the valve at the top of the wheel. Less sealant will leak out when you remove the pump or pressure gauge. I’ve been using the same valves on my bike for two years with out any issues.
  • 16 18
 OrangeSeal is the worst sealant I've ever used, and I wouldn't even consider it a competition for anyone.
  • 6 0
 Go schrader and never have to worry again. Best thing I’ve done to my bikes all year, by a significant margin.
  • 2 0
 S C H R A D E R……hmmmm wonder what that spells
  • 3 0
 @nickfranko: which version are you using? Endurance or normal? It's been alright for me but endurance struggles with a big hole.... It does usually slow the leak enough so I can finish my run
  • 2 0
 Schrader
  • 1 0
 @nickfranko: same with Joes. Never again.
  • 9 0
 @nickfranko: Orange seal is the best sealant I've ever used. You should try finish line, without a doubt it is the worst.
  • 2 0
 @chillrider199: That's good to know. I keep throwing out valve cores after they get too gummed up to use
  • 3 0
 @topfuel564: I agree Orange Seal has been excellent.
  • 3 0
 It's not a valve core but a stem issue, IME. I've tested Stans, WTB, Muc-off and a few other stems. Stans seem to go the longest without plugging. Sadly, WTB were the worst. This is with Orange fluid. Hopefully WTB sealant works better with their stems.
  • 1 0
 @chillrider199: I'd be careful with that one. WD-40 is also known to break down adhesives. Like the adhesive on your Rim Tape. I'd try it with the tire off the Rim.
  • 1 0
 @Augustus-G: This is only done when the core is removed. I can see the confusion for that thought. My apologies. Definitely not a good idea to do while core is still installed into valve stem.
  • 1 0
 @themop: I mix 50-50. They are very different, so a mix is different yet again,
  • 24 0
 "down to 15°F (-9.4°C)"
"temperatures as low as 0°F"
"available in 4oz, 8oz, 16oz and 32oz"
"$6.95 for 4oz"
"$27.95 for the largest 32oz bottles"

"is currently available in Europe"

I usually don't bitch about the units used, but seriously guys...wtf?
There isn't even any consistency, not from manufacturers and from Pinkbike.

Use both and make them mandatory for every article/press relase/review etc.
  • 10 0
 Works for Americans, and Americans who use Celsius. Seems like they got all the demographics covered.
  • 2 0
 The question is which country's dollars? America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cayman Islands etc?
  • 16 2
 Is this just repackaged stans?
Or is it really “proprietary”???
  • 9 0
 Valid question. I seriously doubt many of these are actually "proprietary".
  • 3 0
 Considering how many "home brew" formulas are out there don't think you need Stan's to get your product. Cafelatex for example is definitely not Stan's. Works great.
  • 1 0
 There really is no need to repackage stans. Just go to one of the B2B auto suppliers and do a special bulk order.
  • 10 0
 If it doesn't smell like cat piss, it ain't Stan's.
  • 1 0
 @barp: the latex, smells like condoms
  • 4 0
 im not really familiar with latest sealant tech, so I'm just throwing this question out there: is there any sealant that doesn't have to be topped up every couple of months that works just as well as the other ones? is this one like that?
  • 7 0
 I had some 14 month old OrangeSeal save a gravel ride recently, fwiw
  • 10 0
 My experience with Orange Endurance has been really great. I've popped the bead on tires which I assumed were well past the need for top-up, to find a decent amount of well-flowing orange seal liquid still in the tire. I've started buying the big bottles and using it exclusively.
  • 15 2
 Ride enough to need new tires every couple months and you don't have to worry
  • 4 0
 Aggressiveness/effectiveness and longevity are inversely related.
  • 5 0
 The finish line stuff does seem to last longer than the others in my experience. I will probably go back to Orange seal though.
  • 3 0
 @MaplePanda: I feel like some tires take that to an extreme. I've had side knobs start tearing off a maxxgrip dissector after two runs. Even the maxxterra dissector gets torn up quick.
  • 5 0
 @Austink: Finish Line is latex-free and doesn’t work nearly as well as Orange seal. They’re like polar opposites on the performance/longevity spectrum.
  • 2 0
 Finish Line turned blue in my tire and was gone in a couple months. Plain Stans lasts six months at least.
  • 5 0
 Ive had peaty's in my tyres for 2 years and its still not dried out
  • 5 0
 As someone in the northern hemisphere it seems like a poor time of year to release a product that may not work well for "people frequently riding at temperatures below 15 degrees"
  • 15 1
 It's ok, that's in barbarian units, it's minus 10 for the rest of the world.

I wonder if tirewalls harden up at sub-zero temps to make punctures even less likely?
  • 3 0
 @HankHank: Ahh, perfect, I have a couple of more months then
  • 3 0
 @HankHank: Have an upvote for "Barbarian Units"
  • 2 0
 Why make tire sealant's good for below 15 degrees f anyway given the glass transition temperature of mountain bike tire compounds is around 15 f. I'm slightly more concerned about my tire having transformed into a hard and no longer tacky plastic than how well the sealant works.
  • 5 0
 will it seal cracked rims?
  • 5 1
 Would be great if something could actually seal WTB tires.
  • 2 1
 I have had zero issues with wtb tires compared to other brands.
  • 3 0
 Its own? Funny. Like with tubeless tape.. Tesa 4289, never heard about.. )
  • 1 0
 On a whim, went tubeless no sealant on my new wheels, go figure they've been keeping air just fine. At least until I get a puncture...
  • 3 0
 Or burp a tire.
  • 4 0
 @Austink: does having sealant stop attire from burping or re seal it post burp?
  • 1 0
 @jcougs: I don’t think it does either really. I was just saying he isn’t going to be holding air if he burps a tire.
  • 1 0
 @jcougs: doesn't stop it, but I get little burps all the time, you can tell from a little sealant leak. So I would say it seals it up.
  • 3 4
 For those looking for a tubeless rim tape of any width that's available now and anywhere you live: 3M White Duct Tape. Perfect thickness, fibre reinforced, clean-looking, laid mine in 2 layers. 6.75$ CAD @ Home Depot. Had it on my wheels for 1.5 years now, minimal pressure loss of 5-6psi / month (which is twice as good as tube setup).
  • 12 0
 Have fun taking it off.
  • 4 0
 @SkullsRoad: Yeah, any duct tape or gorilla tape that's stuck on any surface over a period of time will be messy. It'll take hours to get most of the gunk off with alcohol and even with varsol. No thanks!
  • 3 1
 Hopefully it works on their rims because they are the worst in the industry to get a seal.
  • 2 0
 @WTB Bring back the Breakout.
  • 2 1
 Wtb tires just suck...most sealant on the market sucks too.. doubt this is any better..
  • 2 0
 What's tcs?
  • 2 0
 I think it's "tubeless compatible system".
  • 5 0
 Tactical cut stabilizer
  • 1 0
 The Swiss equivalent of the RAC Smile
  • 1 0
 @korev: the crap service
  • 1 0
 Another sealant? More redundant than Peaty's crap
  • 2 0
 Hard pass
  • 4 5
 Can’t be worse than the trail boss right
  • 4 1
 Or just trying to get a WTB tire seated on a WTB rim with WTB rim tape
  • 5 11
flag Daweiknowdaway (Oct 18, 2021 at 13:06) (Below Threshold)
 @mnorris122: I went to Sea Otter and talked to the guys at WTB. “Hey do you plan on changing the Trail Boss anytime soon?” “No it’s been around 20 years and we had great review” “Oh is there a specific terrain they are designed for?” “nope, just all around trail riding.” “Well they are dog shit, they are super heavy even in the lightest casing and punctures like paper, and have no grip at all.” “OH”
  • 6 0
 @Daweiknowdaway: One of the simple pleasures in life is telling mtb tire makers about the shortcomings of their product. You can call Vittoria at any time and this really angry guy will answer and it's his job to listen to you. Man he must stay pissed off all day. But I always feel better, when I'm having a bad day, to call him up and remind him that my 2.6 Agarro only ever made it to 2.45", because I know that he's having a way worse day than me.
  • 2 3
 @JohanG: to be fair it was very constructive feedback backed by stats. The Trail Boss that came stock on my bike was the light and hard and fast rolling casing. But given that it's still heavier than my EXO+ DHF. That is NOT ok. Not to say the DHFs were 1000 times more puncture resistant. Never had an issue, while the Trail Boss got two massive slashes on XC routes that my friends ride their blur on and my coach run his EXO Rekon on. Feedback is part of bike industry. I wasn't yelling, but the Trail Boss really do suck and WTBs in general are heavy AF
  • 6 0
 @Daweiknowdaway: This is amazing given the Trail Boss first came out about 2014, was updated a couple of years ago and less than a month ago WTB announced the new SG2 casing. You sure that was the WTB booth you were at?
  • 2 1
 @carym: You may be right, but yes it was the booth with all the WTB tires and some other other sister brand of different kinds of components. So that is really weird. Still. Most of my argument stands. If it's heavier than EXO+ it should not get slashed and punctured on XC trails that my coach literally rides his gravel bike on
  • 2 5
 everything they make is trash
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