[Ridinglurker]

For years I used this type of injector for the sealant i bought in a gallon jug. I take the plunger out, close the valve, and then pour sealant into the cylinder. Then I insert the straw into the valve, open the valve, and inert the plunger. No mess, and it also sucks sealant out of the valve before tire removal.

I like it has a relatively long flexible hose and the blue valve also comes in handy when filling the cylinder.

The problem is, the plastic becomes brittle and leaks. Mostly where the tube connects downstream of the valve. Since I disassemble everything for cleaning, i can't seal it with silicone or something. It works for a year, but once it starts leaking, I need to buy a new injectors.

All my valves are Shrader (future may bring some Presta??). So I can't use one of the screw-on adapters like the Stan's syringe. I know the Parks TSI-1 exists. But I like a longer flexible tube.

So I want to buy one of similar type, but better quality. What should I look at?

 

[Dirt or Die]

I recommend switching to presta valves. Lots of things work for that. I use this. Cheap easy and works well enough. Pick it up at the grocery store.

 

[plummet]

Just get a $2 syringe from the chemist. Job done.

 

[paramount3]

I use a 2 oz sealant bottle (Stans I think). I refill the bottle to the desired level from a larger bulk supply. I have presta valves, I remove the valve core, then just squirt in the desired amount of sealant using the 2 oz bottle nipple pressed up against the valve tube. Then wipe out the inside of the valve tube with a Q-tip or other suitable implement, reinstall valve core, inflate. Store the empty 2 oz bottle for next time (stick a nail or straightened paper clip in the hole in the tip to keep it from clogging with dried sealant.)

 

[JackOfDiamonds]

I have an injector but I also just use Stan's little bottles as injectors now. I'm also 100% Schrader.

 

[Dr_J]

I have been using a 60 ml catheter tip syringe with an 8 or 10 fr Argyle (red rubber) feeding tube for years. They can be found dirt cheap on amazon and other online sources as well as at many feed stores and pet stores (Cut the tip at an angle, remove valve core and pass tube into wheel or inner tube). one setup will last several years if you clean the syringe and tube between uses. No mess, minimal fuss and no excessive markup for $5 worth of materials..

 

[kustomz]

I use a short piece of hose attached to a funnel.

 

[vikb]

So I want to buy one of similar type, but better quality. What should I look at?

I use a similar Stan's branded injector. Works great. Mine must be ~10 years old and still going strong. I flush it with hot water after each use, but I don't disassemble it. No leaks.

 

[Ridinglurker]

Thanks for all replies. I also will try to find some vinyl tubes to fit to my syringes. the problem is the tube or needle needs to be small enough to fit into the valve (also for the smaller Presta), but needs to be large enough to have good flow and not clog.

i found some products that MAY work:
Syringe with 10 ga needle (not flexible)
Syringe with flexible hose and needle

I recommend switching to presta valves. Lots of things work for that. I use this. Cheap easy and works well enough. Pick it up at the grocery store.

My 2 tubeless bikes already have the larger Shrader holes. so fitting the smaller Presta valves now would not fit. for future wheels I likely will go Presta. But the smaller Presta valve stem doesn't really make things easier.

Just get a $2 syringe from the chemist. Job done.

Problem is to find one with the perfect size. I don't think we have a physical store where I can just try out the valves on syringes. And the ones on amazon don't really say what size they are. I have an older steel syringe that would be good, but it is too large. This is a needle chart that may help. The Presta valve seems to be 4.26mm ID. Looks like 10 ga (3.4mm) needle should work. My old injector has 3.04mm OD.

I use a 2 oz sealant bottle (Stans I think). I refill the bottle to the desired level from a larger bulk supply. I have presta valves, I remove the valve core, then just squirt in the desired amount of sealant using the 2 oz bottle nipple pressed up against the valve tube. Then wipe out the inside of the valve tube with a Q-tip or other suitable implement, reinstall valve core, inflate. Store the empty 2 oz bottle for next time (stick a nail or straightened paper clip in the hole in the tip to keep it from clogging with dried sealant.)

Does the sealant bottle tip insert into the valve? I tried some similar bottles and they don't insert a lot and it gets messy. i tseems i always need some positive pressure to make the sealant flow.

I use a similar Stan's branded injector. Works great. Mine must be ~10 years old and still going strong. I flush it with hot water after each use, but I don't disassemble it. No leaks.

I wanted a solution that works for both Shrader and Presta. I see amazon has some similar solutions that have adapters for both types. But one issue with these screw-on types is that they smear sealant on the valve threads, and I also can't suck sealant out of the tire. When i remove a tire, i like to recover most sealant first so that the tire removal is less messy.

 

[marcw]

once in a while i buy the single use stans bottle and refill it until the bottle becomes a mess

 

[J.B. Weld]

once in a while i buy the single use stans bottle and refill it until the bottle becomes a mess

...which is a very long time. I work in a shop full of expensive tools. We could use anything we want for adding sealant but have found that an empty bottle or stans works faster and better than anything else. That or just break a bead and pour it in..

 

[Cleared2land]

I just use the Stan's 2 ounce bottle.
I just refill it from a big Stan's bottle.

 

[#mtnbykr]

I just use the little OrangeSeal bottle.
I just refill it from the big OS bottle.

 

[Sparticus]

These replies are on target for the most part IMO. The Stans 2 oz bottle is what I use, too.

I use a 2 oz sealant bottle (Stans I think). I refill the bottle to the desired level from a larger bulk supply. I have presta valves, I remove the valve core, then just squirt in the desired amount of sealant using the 2 oz bottle nipple pressed up against the valve tube. Then wipe out the inside of the valve tube with a Q-tip or other suitable implement, reinstall valve core, inflate. Store the empty 2 oz bottle for next time (stick a nail or straightened paper clip in the hole in the tip to keep it from clogging with dried sealant.)

once in a while i buy the single use stans bottle and refill it until the bottle becomes a mess

...which is a very long time. I work in a shop full of expensive tools. We could use anything we want for adding sealant but have found that an empty bottle or stans works faster and better than anything else. That or just break a bead and pour it in..

As for the 'mess,' I just rinse the 2 oz bottle out in the sink after each use -- it stays like new. No need to stick a pin in it or deal with gunk -- simply rinse it out each time.

Does the sealant bottle tip insert into the valve? I tried some similar bottles and they don't insert a lot and it gets messy. i tseems i always need some positive pressure to make the sealant flow.

Yes, the Stans 2 oz bottle tip inserts into the valve but not very far. More like it presses up against the rim of the valve.

Here's what I do:

• Position the tire with the valve at 6 o'clock -- this will leave the valve pointing straight up
• Go around to the non-drive side of the bike so you don't have the derailleur in your way
• Remove the valve core
• Turn the full Stans 2 oz bottle upside down (don't worry, it won't leak unless you squeeze it) and nestle the bottle's cone tip into the valve hole
• While lightly pressing the bottle down against the valve to create a makeshift seal, squeeze the bottle's contents into the valve
• Not all the sealant will come out, so...
• While leaving the Stans 2 oz bottle in place against the valve, release finger pressure on the bottle to allow air to be ingested into the bottle
• Squeeze bottle again to expel all sealant
• Now remove the bottle from the valve
• Install valve core
• Inflate tire
• Go clean the Stans 2 oz bottle in the sink, then store it for future use
• Go ride

=sParty

 

[Ridinglurker]

These replies are on target for the most part IMO. The Stans 2 oz bottle is what I use, too.



As for the 'mess,' I just rinse the 2 oz bottle out in the sink after each use -- it stays like new. No need to stick a pin in it or deal with gunk -- simply rinse it out each time.


Yes, the Stans 2 oz bottle tip inserts into the valve but not very far. More like it presses up against the rim of the valve.

Here's what I do:

• Position the tire with the valve at 6 o'clock -- this will leave the valve pointing straight up
• Go around to the non-drive side of the bike so you don't have the derailleur in your way
• Remove the valve core
• Turn the full Stans 2 oz bottle upside down (don't worry, it won't leak unless you squeeze it) and nestle the bottle's cone tip into the valve hole
• While lightly pressing the bottle down against the valve to create a makeshift seal, squeeze the bottle's contents into the valve
• Not all the sealant will come out, so...
• While leaving the Stans 2 oz bottle in place against the valve, release finger pressure on the bottle to allow air to be ingested into the bottle
• Squeeze bottle again to expel all sealant
• Now remove the bottle from the valve
• Install valve core
• Inflate tire
• Go clean the Stans 2 oz bottle in the sink, then store it for future use
• Go ride

=sParty

So does the Stans bottle tip fit into the Presta valve (=being smaller than valve ID)? I know you said it inserts, I'm just not sure if you meant a Shrader, or Presta.

I had a bottle similar (but not the same) as the Stans bottle as a spare sealant on my bike. The idea was that if I have a leak on a ride, I want to add more sealant since the sealant in the tire may be used up due to the leak. But recently I actually used up that little bottle up at home, and the tip of the bottle has the same diameter as the Shrader valve. So the tip didn't insert (like a funnel) and it got a bit messy.

By messy I meant sealant running over the outside of the valve on the rim. I found the sealant seems to leave some residue unless cleaned well with alcohol (and it would be wasteful to be messy). I'm not concerned about sealant in the bottle. I likely just leave it filled with sealant (for on the road repairs)

Can you confirm the Stans actually inserts (=is smaller than the inside of the PRESTA valve)? If so, I could buy one regardless for "on the road". Maybe it also would work for home use. But I really like it to be not messy and more be like a funnel. If this works out, it actually would be a good solution to my problem. KISS.

 

[dysfunction]

If you can take the valve out, the Stans bottle tip fits.

 

[Ridinglurker]

If you can take the valve out, the Stans bottle tip fits.

Thanks. I'll buy a bottle and will see how it works.

And yes, everything is assuming the valve core is removed.

 

[Harold]

I'd use the little stans bottles (I have several of them in my emergency kit supplies), but the issue for me isn't getting the sealant into the tire valve, but rather getting it from my 1gal bulk jug into the tiny ass bottle without making a mess. meh. I used to use the cheapie syringes, but they never lasted that long. I broke down and bought the Park syringe recently and it works well. I might need to add a length of silicone tubing to it later on as my bulk jug gets low enough that the included tip won't reach the remaining sealant. but for now, it works well enough. and I like that it's cleaner to add it to the tire because the little straw tube on the syringe reaches all the way into the tire through the valve.

 

[Cleared2land]

2 ounce bottle of Stan's works just fine going into a presta valve with the valve core removed. I never make a mess and it just doesn't seem like an issue.

 

[Ridinglurker]

I'd use the little stans bottles (I have several of them in my emergency kit supplies), but the issue for me isn't getting the sealant into the tire valve, but rather getting it from my 1gal bulk jug into the tiny ass bottle without making a mess. meh. I used to use the cheapie syringes, but they never lasted that long. I broke down and bought the Park syringe recently and it works well. I might need to add a length of silicone tubing to it later on as my bulk jug gets low enough that the included tip won't reach the remaining sealant. but for now, it works well enough. and I like that it's cleaner to add it to the tire because the little straw tube on the syringe reaches all the way into the tire through the valve.

My gallon of sealant has a pump and hose. So filling into a syringe, or smaller bottle is easy. I use one of those kitchen plastic clips to pinch the tube when not in use. That way the sealant in the hose doesn't mess around or dries out.