The dart tool comes as a plug-in tool that contains two repair darts. This allows you to patch larger holes if necessary or fight a snakebite without reloading. Refill sets with five patches each are available. The textile-like slats of the darts are impregnated with a chemical liquid that reacts with the latex of the sealant. According to Stan's No Tubes, this is optimized for its own products, but should also work with third-party sealants as long as they are latex-based.

The arrows are kept short so that they do not pierce the tire tape, and the head of the tool prevents it from piercing too deeply. The plastic tip has two barbs to ensure that the patch is not pulled out of the tire during the ride.

First impression

The tool is small, handy and fits into even the smallest compartments of hip belts. Thanks to its rounded shape, it doesn't get in the way if you carry it in your trouser bag. After all, you want to have it to hand immediately before the damaged tire goes flat. The actual arrows consist of a plastic tip with a flower-shaped patch material around it. It's hard to imagine that so little material could seal a slit in the tire.

In use

Patience was required before the Dart tool was needed. For a full eight months, there was no tire puncture. But then came day X. Thanks to a group of around a dozen people, there were two punctures within a few minutes. Both could be repaired immediately with Stan's Dart. The slit was about six millimeters long in each case and could not be sealed with the sealant alone. None of the tubeless setups consisted of "Stan's No Tubes" products.

The handling is very simple: twist off the protective cap, ram the dart into the leak with momentum and pull it out. The tool sits comfortably in the hand and the repair was successful at the first attempt.

The one tire is still in use two months after the repair. It survived a tough enduro week in the Pyrenees with around 16,000 Elevation loss on mostly very rough trails. The tire is still tight and the patch is still in place.

Conclusion

After just two uses, it is impossible to make a final judgment. However, the Stan's No Tubes Dart has done a top job in both cases. There are no weaknesses to complain about.

Recommendation

If you have to repair a flat tire with an inner tube at a later date, it is important to cut off any arrowheads inside the tire beforehand. Otherwise they may puncture the inner tube and the exercise will have been in vain.

Manufacturer / distribution

https://www.notubes.com/dart / www.trailsupply.ch