Named for the “butterfly effect,” in which small actions have large impacts, Italian-Swiss brand Effetto Mariposa showed several new products to show at Interbike this week. Perhaps best known for its foaming tyre sealant, the company improved its formulation in 2012 to better compete with products from Notubes and the like.
For 2016, Caffelatex is now available in a 60ml single-serving packet- designed to take up a minimum of space in the bottom of a rider’s pack (and even less when empty). While it’s usually preferable to remove the valve core to reduce the chance of clogging, the packet comes with a little tube that fits snugly over a presta valve and allows the sealant to be pushed straight through. Packaging now also includes a QR code that will allow riders to download an iCaffelatex app, which provides guidance on the appropriate amount of liquid to use for a given tyre size and application.
Useful for bigger gashes, ZOT! Nano is “an instant polymerization catalyzer for Caffélatex,” which basically cures sealant on contact, sealing cuts up to 1.5cm in length. Maybe not for every ride, but a neat idea and probably worthy of bringing along for touring or long rides with big groups.
Finally, the Caffelatex Strip is a remarkably strong, stretchy tape made for sealing tubeless rim beds. The clear bands ship with a valve, which is inserted through the tape and rim to locate the strip during installation. Once snapped into place, the Strip’s elasticity is enough to seal the spoke bed. As seen here, it’s quite strong. Three widths and two diameters will be offered initially- though we’re looking forward to a fatbike version that will let us see sealant bubbles through rim windows. Soon, we’re told, soon…