I'm starting to trail ride these days and was wondering what people are doing about punctures. What works well for people? Patches or sealant? I carry a spare tube already but you never know.

For me, I carry patches and repair kit, but always two spare tubes. You just never know if the tube is going to tear around the puncture point if the tyre slips round the rim. Never used sealant, slime etc. Tried HD tubes but found the wheels difficult to balance correctly for higher road speeds and TBH they didn't seem to resist punctures any better the normal tubes.

Personally I swear by natural rubber tubes, rather than butyl. They are a little more resistant to punctures, but the main thing is they are infinitely more resistant to tearing (and pinch flats). The rubber is more flexible and elastic. The only downside is they are ever so slightly more porous, so pressures tend to need checking more often. Continental tubes are natural rubber, other brands vary and you'll need to check/ask.

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We hired 5 x XT660z's in South Africa and each rode 3,000 kms, so 15,000kms on gravel with not one puncture. Each bike had green slime installed.

I've just come back from a tour of France (2,000 miles) and made sure before we went that green slime with installed.

There is vibration due to the inability to balance the wheels, but to be honest, these tractors vibe like hell anyway!

SO looks like one of those areas where you just have to find what works for you. so for now i'm going to try sealant and go from there.

cheers guys

The best puncture prevention is don't go below 20psi...

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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

New tires and avoiding potholes are your friends

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2010 XT660Z Blue, Exan can, UFO high front fender, SW Motech baseplate, heated grips, 12v point, Kevs Fuel & O2 mod, DNA Stage 2 Filter and cover, Givi tall screen, Mefo mfe 99s, Kevs throttle mod, TT high seat and 'compass'

I am going tubeless so i will just need a small puncture repair kit and co2 canisters.
If your sticking with tubed wheels then as mentioned put slime in them.