Rookie MTB questions!

Equipment
89

First, thank you all again. The info throughout this was invaluable in getting Michelle and I up and running in MTB-land.

I’m back with more questions.

I started XC Training Tire Thread to see if I’m doing something silly.

If you have tire ideas maybe throw them on that thread to keep things coherent.

Yesterday, I patched a sidewall puncture in an Ardent Race rear tire. A couple weeks ago I dealt with frequent tread punctures and sidewall pinch flats in my Aspen so “upgraded” durability to the Ardent Race… and no luck.

I ride as much Enduro stuff as I do XC stuff, and all kinds of trails. Maybe just simply riding my XC bike as my do-it-all bike is silly, but I used to ride hardtails downhill so it feels plush and cushy!

Other questions I could use a hand with:

  1. How long will dynaplugs hold? I patched a sidewall tear/puncture with 3 fat dynaplugs because I didn’t have a tube on me (stupid. will fix.) That patch job is still holding though it took a miracle and my best maneuvering of plugs, tire, and sealant to get it to hold. It held for 14 miles back from the point of flat. I rode gently. Should I expect it to hold while riding aggressively?

  2. Do you ever replace dynaplugs with something more robust like an internal patch of some kind once you make it home? If so, what do you use?

  3. When putting a tube in on trail, do you remove dynaplugs? Thinking yes, because some are pointy! Do you need some other patch or Gorilla tape to keep the tube from protruding out the tire hole, or is the PSI low enough in MTB that it doesn’t matter? (I’ve been running 24-26psi front, 27-31psi rear.)

  4. I’ve read the Tire Inserts for XC Racing thread. Are tire inserts pretty much standard issue equipment for trail/enduro/DH bikes now? If so, I’m definitely putting them in my tires and probably my wife’s.

  5. Are there larger, more robust patches for big punctures/tears in MTB tires than dynaplugs?

  6. If you put a spare tube in, while on trail, do you take the tube out when you get home and use a patch of some kind to convert it back to tubeless? Or, once a tire needs a tube, it needs a tube forever?