Tech News

The whole truth about Végétalex: the eco-friendly tyre sealant
What is Végétalex and What Makes it Unique? Végétalex is a groundbreaking tyre sealant that stands out for being quickly biodegradable and completely plastic-free. It doesn’t contain latex (natural or synthetic), rather it utilizes unique plant-based puncture-repairing ingredients, earning the...
Discover the Evolution: Giustaforza 1-8 vs. Giustaforza 1-15 Pro & Pro Evo Torque Wrenches
Cycling enthusiasts and professional mechanics alike have long appreciated the precision and reliability of the Giustaforza 1-8 torque wrench. Designed specifically for bicycle applications, this tool has set the standard for controlled tightening of sensitive bolts in tight spaces. Now,...
Road Cycling: Exploring the Benefits of Caffélatex Tubeless Sealant and Vitamina CL for Road Bicycles
When it comes to road cycling, finding the right tyre sealant for high-pressure road tubeless tyres is crucial. Caffélatex sealant and Vitamina CL are game-changers in this. 
TYRE INSERTS: WHY IS YOUR SEALANT DRYING UP FAST?
Why is your tubeless sealant drying up fast when using anti pinch-flat tyre inserts? What can you do to prevent it? We dig into this topic here below. Most tyre insert users are aware that an higher quantity of sealant...
Flowerpower Wax is the highest performing drip chain lubricant, confirmed by independent tests!
What is the verdict of the test? Flowerpower Wax is the highest performing drip chain lubricant! Zero Friction Cycling: where the "best" lubricants go to die How did Flowerpower Wax do? In two words: very well. How many kilometers can...
Sustainability, our way
Instead of issuing a traditional Sustainability Statement, we prefer to have a virtual Q&A session with you, our customers. We hope you enjoy it. Feel free to add more questions at the bottom, we’ll be glad to integrate the answers...
When environmental awareness meets performance: 5 new products for cleaning and lubricating your bicycle at best, with plant-issued ingredients
At Effetto Mariposa we create products to keep our bicycles in top conditions to tackle any road. Living so close to the Alps, every day we marvel at what nature has to offer, and reducing our footprint becomes the obvious...
Shelter Roll “WIDE”
Since their launch, our Shelters have become one of the most appreciated accessory by our cyclists, thanks to their great protective capacity and long-lasting adhesion. Today we are launching a “big” variant of shelter: Shelter Roll “Wide”. With a width of 80 mm, the new Shelter meets the need for a wider format on e-bikes
Which is the best (Effetto Mariposa) tyre sealant for you?
We recently introduced Végétalex, a quickly biodegradable, plant-based tyre sealant, containing finely ground olives stones as repairing ingredients. How does it compare with Caffélatex, our other sealant? Is one superior to the other, or are they simply targeted at different users? Let’s find out.
NEW TUBELESS VALVE: NEW FEATURES, MINIMUM WEIGHT!
A cap that you can use as a key. A completely black version. Here is the new Tubeless Valve by Effetto Mariposa.
Végétalex Winner of Design & Innovation Award 2021
“The Effetto Mariposa Végétalex sealant eschews environmentally harmful substances and plastics without sacrificing on functionality i.e. sealing and durability. As the first sealant of its kind, it’s based completely on biodegradable cellulose fibres and ground olive kernels, which swim in a polysaccharide carrier fluid. In the eventuality of a puncture, no harmful chemicals are
Tyreinvader: all the advantages of tyre inserts without the down sides
WHY TYRE INSERTS WERE CREATED IN FIRST PLACE Tubeless tyres (with sealant) are surely helping to keep punctures to a minimum, but they don’t totally eliminate them. With the right force, especially on rocky terrain, it’s possible to pinch-flat a tubeless tyre, cutting the tyre by pushing it very hard against the rim.
Tubeless conversion: the whole truth!
Those who ride occasionally (less than once a week), do not cross lands infested with thorns or – simply – do not want to face the small problems and complications that tubeless involves, can continue using inner tubes and be happy like that.
Which Shelter for my bicycle?
It’s great to have multiple choices, as long as we also possess enough information for a correct decision: this also applies to our Shelter family. This family of frame protections offers different sizes, different thicknesses… but we realized we hadn’t quite explained our idea behind it.
Caffélatex, valves and inner tubes
Being a synthetic latex, Caffélatex is not as intrinsically “sticky” as natural latex sealants, showing a lower tendency to clog valves and valve mechanisms. Still, it’s important to learn how to use it properly to take full advantage of the puncture protection, reducing the drawbacks to the minimum.
Caffélatex and the "hair dryer" effect
Beside the use of CO2(described here) or contamination of your sealant with other products(described here), the “hair dryer” effect is a common but little-known reason for the decrease in a sealant lifespan. When does it happens?
The correct quantity of Caffélatex and Végétalex for each cyclist
Tyre sealants are a must-have for the performance-oriented cyclists, to avoid the feared and annoying punctures. The big question is: how much sealant do I need? Parameters that influence the necessary quantity of sealant: Several parameters should be taken into account, for example the outside humidity, temperature and tyre inflation routine/regularity. However, the main factors
A Caffélatex cocktail
The most common reasons for polymerization of latex sealants (synthetic or natural) can be divided into two groups: physical (related to temperature changes, evaporation, etc.); chemical. Physical: a sudden temperature drop, e.g. when using CO2 cartridges, as described here; a quick evaporation, e.g. when the sealant comes out from a puncture in the tyre.
CAFFÉLATEX, VÉGÉTALEX AND TUBULARS

Why Caffélatex and Végétalex, rather than other sealants?
Caffélatex and Végétalex work perfectly with tubulars. Here is a detailed evaluation of the different aspects and options.

CAFFÉLATEX, VÉGÉTALEX AND CO2, OR ESPRESSO
Some people worry about Caffélatex or Végétalex early solidification after inflating the tubeless tyre with a CO2 cartridge, as this is an unwanted side-effect common to most latex-based sealants. Plus, what about using Espresso inflate and repair cartridges with Caffélatex or Végétalex? We explore these topics here below.