Effetto Mariposa just dropped several new gadgets into their 2020 tool & accessories collection, all aimed at making riding life smoother in the new year. The biggest news is one of the smallest items, a new take on something we’ve seen from a number of other companies – Tappabuco tubeless tire repair tools that are always with you. But they also have new frame & component protective tape to keep your bike looking good, more tubeless tape options, a strap to haul spares, and a new Tyreinvader 35 tubeless tire insert adapted for cyclocross & gravel bikes.
Effetto Mariposa Tappabuco tubeless tire plug tool
We’ve seen a number of tubeless tire plug tools, from Slug Plug to DynaPlug to the Sahmurai Swords that this so most closely resembles. But the Mariposa Tappabuco is unique in a couple of ways. First, the Tappabuco setup includes two sizes – 1.5 & 3.5, which is the diameter in millimeters of the plugs you stick into a damaged tire. And second, it super simple silicone bar end plug design means you can securely pop it into road or mountain bars, or even a hollow bottom bracket spindle.
Instead of having a separate needle & reamer, Mariposa thinks that having a skinny & fat needle option, one in each side of the bar, can be the best way to ensure a good tubeless tire fix, without enlarging a hole unnecessarily.
The 3.5mm needle & plug is the size we are used to seeing and works great on big holes or cuts, best for a mountain bike or other relatively low pressure setups. But the additional 1.5mm needle & plug is specifically focused towards gravel & road tubeless, where you can lose air out of even smaller punctures with higher tire pressures… “having both available is simply better.”
Both Tappabuco sizes share the same high density silicone bar end design, getting a simple size marking on the outside so it’s easy to pick the correct one, and use stainless steel needles/forks. Designed to fit in any 15-20mm inner diameter, they will push into the ends of most road or mountain bike handlebars, as well as many hollow axle bottom bracket spindles. The Tappabuco 3.5 weighs 13g, while the thinner Tappabuco 1.5 weighs 11g.
The Tappabuco is available with either single tool on its own for 10€ including five 5cm long plugs of corresponding size. Or for a saving of one cent, at 19.99€ you get one of each size and ten plugs in total. Replacement Tappabuco plugs are also sold separately, 10€ for twenty-five additional pieces.
Effetto Mariposa Espresso Strap Lungo spare tube carrier
The 12€ Espresso Strap Lungo is a simple extension to the strap Mariposa originally developed to attach their sealant/inflator cartridge to a seatpost. But no with bigger frame tube shapes, and even just dropper posts, a longer strap was needed. The Espresso Strap Lungo is just two velcro straps stitched together, with some rubber grippers thrown in to keep you gear secure. Strap in a spare mountain bike tube, a can of sealant, or an inflator, then easily wrap the 45cm main velcro strap onto whatever bike you are riding that day. KISS.
Effetto Mariposa Shelter ZeroDue clear protective tape rolls
Shelter ZeroDue is another extension of a simple carry over product. A very thin (0.2mm, hence the name ZeroDue) clear, self-adhesive protective layer, it is essentially just an anti-scratch sticker that you put over frame tubes or components to keep them looking new for longer. Mariposa has added new 1m long (18€) rolls of the 58mm wide Shelter ZeroDue and 5m long (50€) rolls to protect more kit, whether for home mechanic or shop use.
There are also still thicker Shelter Road (0.6mm) and Shelter Off-Road (1.2mm) versions to protect frames against larger impacts & scratches – available in single install packs, 1m or 5m rolls.
Effetto Mariposa Caffélatex Tubeless Tape in Plus sizes
Wider rims need wider tape, so Mariposa has added plus-sized tubeless tape to their Caffélatex family. Three new sizes are available: 34mm wide Plus S for 29-34mm internal rims, 40mm wide Plus M for 34-40mm, and 45mm wide Plus L for 40-45mm rims. Each sells for 15-18€ for a 8m roll (generally good for three wheels) or 58-68€ for a 50m shop roll (good for up to 25 wheels).
The new wider Plus tape also comes in Caffélatex Tubeless Kits too. A kit includes a 250ml bottle of Caffélatex sealant, two alloy tubeless valves, a 8m roll of tubeless tape roll, packaged inside a Portatutto tool bottle (a water bottle without a drinking spout cap). The plus-sized Caffélatex Tubeless Kits sell for 46€ in Plus S, 49€ in Plus M & 49€ in Plus L.
Effetto Mariposa Tyreinvader 35 gravel bike tubeless tire liner
Mariposa’s thin, lightweight EVA foam anti-pinch tire insert now gets a narrower gravel & cyclocross specific version to help eliminate tubeless flats. The new narrower width Tyreinvader 35 isn’t actually 35mm wide, that’s just a middle range size indication. The smallest Tyreinvader 35 was in fact developed to work even with standard CX tire widths, so you can run tubular-like pressures in tubeless tires without the risk of rim strikes & pinch flats.
The made-in-Italy Tyreinvader 35 is designed for tires sections from 32-42mm, and best fit on rims with 18-25mm external rim widths for max protection. The closed cell foam liner with alien cutouts is non-absorptive & thus sealant-friendly. A pair of Tyreinvader 35 liners sells for 50€, with a single liner weight of 48g.
All of the new Effetto Mariposa goodies are available now direct from Mariposa, or through their international distributors (QBP, J&B & BTI in the states).
