Back at Eurobike 2023, one of the more interesting things we saw was the Clever Standard Bacon Bullet. It was actually the second time we had gotten a sneak peek at the clever tubeless tool, and this time Clever’s Tomo told us it was closer to finding a home. While he had hinted that it may be in the form of WTB, now it’s official – introducing the WTB Rocket Plug Kit.
Starting with the brilliant reusable ‘bacon bullet’ concept from Clever, WTB has improved on the idea – namely in packaging and useability. Now packaged into the ‘Rocket Launcher’, the system offers internal storage for all the little pieces and makes it a breeze to use.
Each Rocket Plug Kit includes four Rocket Anchors, two large and two small. You can preload one of these Anchors onto the Rocket Launcher and also preload 1-4 plugs into the Anchor so it’s ready to go. Just pop off the cap, jam in the tire, and you’re good to go. The Rocket Anchors can’t pull out due to the design, and when the tire is spent, you can remove them from the inside to reuse them.
Another clever addition to the Rocket Plug Kit is the Extra Hand. Stored in the cap on the opposite end of the Rocket Launcher, the Extra Hand can be pulled out and used to plug the puncture temporarily while you assess the tire damage. It also acts as a reamer and can be used to remove any sticky anchors from the storage tubes. Both caps are slip-fit for easy access, and they can be used on both sides, which means you can make the Rocket Launcher longer by putting the longer cap on the other end while you’re using it.
The storage tube also has two cutouts on the side so you can see how many Anchors you have left without opening the tube. This also helps you remember which side the Anchors are in. Pro tip – make sure you’re holding the tube upright when you open the storage side so the plugs don’t fall out as soon as you open it.
The 6061 aluminum storage tube has room for four anchors (five if you preload one), and fifteen 1.5mm diameter tire plugs.
The Anchors are still compatible with a hex key (2mm for small, and 2-3mm for large, but the Rocket Launcher with a built-in 2mm hex makes it much easier to install the plugs. The rounded caps are much more comfortable to press into your palm, and offer enough leverage to drive the Anchors into tight punctures.
Available now, the TCS Rocket Tire Plug kit is priced at $44.95 for the set. Additional refill packs will be available for $17.95 and include four Anchors (two small, two large) and 15 1.5mm plugs. Both are now packaged in compressed pulp paper packaging that is 100% recyclable as well.
NanoAir TPU Tubes
At the same time, WTB is getting in on the compact inner tube game with new NanoAir TPU tubes. If you ask WTB, TPU is the ideal material for a spare inner tube since it is much lighter and more compact than a traditional butyl tube – roughly 1/3rd of the size and weighing 60% less.
Offered in three sizes, the tubes should fit many MTB, Gravel, and Road bikes and come in the “iconic WTB tanwall color.”
Included with each tube are two glue-less TPU patches and an isopropyl alcohol wipe.
On the scale, the tubes were right on the dot for claimed weight when you remove the weight of the rubber band from above. That means about 35g for road, 49g for gravel, and 80g for MTB (700 x 18-32mm, 700 x 32-47mm,, and 29 x 1.9-2.5”).
The only catch is that single tubes start at $32.95 a piece (the MTB tube is $34.95). That’s a lot for an inner tube, but they do claim to be more durable with increased puncture protection and reduced rolling resistance. Really, the reason to buy tubes like this is that they’re so small you can fit them in smaller storage containers and carry more with less weight. Just make sure the tube is protected from other sharp objects inside your bag/frame/pack/etc.
TCS Max-Flow Tubeless Valves
Finally, WTB also has a new set of tubeless valves for sale. Called the TCS MAx-Flow, the valves have a tire insert-compatible base and a larger 3.8mm bore diameter for increased airflow (the standard bore is 2.8mm). That larger bore results in a claimed 84% increase in air capacity and reduces clogging.
The caps include an integrated valve core remover, and the valve nuts are designed to be easy to tighten down by hand. An O-ring protects the rim from damage, and the universal rubber base is supposedly compatible with all rim widths and offsets.
Made from aluminum, the valves are very light at 10g per pair.
Available now through your local bike shop or WTB.com, the Max Flow Tubeless valves are priced at $24.95 per pair.
