The #1 Reason You Need a Stan's NoTubes Dart Tool [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

Since it launched, the Stan's DART tool was a hit. It's tiny, light, and almost instantly fixes small punctures and tire tears. We even did a full review and test on it and can confirm it works well! In this review, our customer Travis gives his thoughts. Check it out!

Overview

Here’s the gist... great tool for a less than ideal situation. If you're like me, you’re constantly browsing the web for the latest and greatest mini tools to carry on your bike/ in your pack. I was initially drawn to the tool because it’s different.

The traditional “fix” for tubeless leaks is the bacon strip, right? I hadn’t needed to plug a hole in my tire until recently. It wasn’t the most difficult thing to do, but it also wasn’t easy. The bacon strip worked as expected (after getting them wedged in the tire), however, the insertion tool I used made it quite difficult to get the bacon strip inserted into the tire. Again, it wasn’t rocket science, but I wasn’t effortless.

Here’s what I don’t like about the bacon: When your riding buddies are waiting for you to fix your tire, you are trying to peel the plastic away from the strips. I find that when exposed to heat the strips melt to the plastic backing. I also found the for larger punctures multiple bacon strips are required. To put into perspective a large nail punctured my rear tire (2.6). I initially tried one strip and it was still leaking sealant. After the second it closed it up enough for the sealant to do its job.

Does it Work?

Stan’s NoTube Dart was EFFORTLESS. I tested the dart after receiving it (with approximately the same size hole) and it worked like a charm. Only one dart needed! The dart reacted extremely well with the sealant. It was almost instantaneous. I also like how light and small the Dart Tool is. This is important for me considering how many tools/ accessories I keep in my pack (multi-tool, mini-pump, tube, tire levers, etc).

Let’s face it, $20 for 5 darts seems a bit overpriced, but how often will you actually use a dart? Personally, I bet 5 darts will last me at least a year.

One thing that excites me about the Stan's darts is the barbed tip. Sealing a punctured tire long term would be nice. Out of laziness, I doubt I will be replacing the tire immediately after the repair job. I can’t speak to whether or not there are any adapters to mount it to your frame, but it’s the perfect tool to throw in your pack.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a tool to use to repair punctures that would be unsealable with sealant, this is the way to go! For $25 it’s great peace of mind to ride rugged trails and not worry about getting stranded. Also, don’t be the guy who depends on their buddies to bring the repair tools. It’s not a good look. Enjoy this great product keep pedaling!