WTB Launches New Tire Plug Kit, TPU Tubes, & Tubeless Valves

Mar 6, 2024
by WTB  
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PRESS RELEASE: WTB

In collaboration with Bib Creative, WTB is excited to launch its new TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit, featuring reusable “Rocket” anchors. These anchors can be preloaded with tire plugs to ensure they're ready for immediate use upon detecting a puncture with your tubeless set-up. With two sizes of Rocket anchors available, riders can use 1-4 plugs per repair, accommodating various puncture sizes.

Unlike traditional tire plugs that may rip out under high pressure or during aggressive cornering, our reusable Rocket anchors securely hold the plug in place. This dependable solution keeps the puncture sealed until the tire is replaced, at which point the Rocket anchor can be removed and reused with fresh tire plugs. Additionally, the “extra-hand” feature built into the storage cap is there to keep the air in the tire while you prepare your anchor and plug repair.


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Our innovative tubeless tire plug tool is CNC’d 6061 aluminum alloy, featuring an ergonomic design for comfortable use. It includes internal storage for four anchors (two large and two small, included) and fifteen 1.5mm diameter tire plugs, with press-fit storage caps for quick and easy access. The Rocket Launcher installation tip adjusts for different tire sizes and tread depths, accommodating road, gravel, and mountain bikes.

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Ready to Launch
Before setting out, riders can preload Rockets with 1-4 tire plugs, depending on anticipated punctures. The Rocket Launcher facilitates easy insertion of plug-loaded anchors into the tire, its length adjustable for various needs and tread depths. The right number of plugs can be chosen based on local conditions, from cactus spines to sharp rocks. Once a puncture occurs, the rider quickly uses the tool to insert the selected number of plugs, achieving an instant, air-tight seal.

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Extra Hand Provides Extra Time
The Extra Hand feature seals punctures temporarily, allowing riders to assess and address the damage without rush. It also serves as a reamer and aids in removing sticky anchors from the storage tubes, ensuring a smooth repair process.

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Reusable Anchors for Repeatable Success
Our anchors ensure the tire plug system is not only dependable but also sustainable and cost-effective over time.

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TCS Rocket Tire Plug Pack
We offer a refill kit with 15 replacement plugs and four anchors (two small, two large), compatible with most multi-tools for convenience. The small anchor holds up to two plugs and can be pushed into the tire using a 2mm hex. The large anchor holds up to four plugs and is compatible with either a 2mm or 3mm hex.

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Sustainably Packaged and Available Now
Both the complete TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit and Plug Pack are packaged in 100% recyclable, sustainably sourced paper. The TCS Rocket Tire Plug Kit is priced at $44.95/€41.50/£50.00, and the Plug Pack at $17.95/€16.75/£20.00. They are available at WTB.com or at local bike shops.

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TCS Max-Flow Valve
The TCS Max-Flow Valve introduces a revolutionary design with an insert-compatible base and an increased bore diameter. It features a cap with an integrated valve core remover and an ergonomically designed nut that simplifies valve adjustment without requiring tools. The valve's unique castellated base ensures multi-directional airflow, effectively preventing the airflow restriction often caused by tire inserts against traditional valve openings.

Traditionally, WTB alloy valves featured an internal bore diameter of 2.8mm. However, the TCS Max-Flow Valve expands this to 3.8mm, providing an 84% increase in airflow over a standard valve and facilitating easier seating of tubeless tires while reducing the risk of clogging from sealant. This valve supports a universal removable Presta core and boasts compatibility with all rim widths and sizes, aligning with WTB's commitment to product cross-compatibility and serviceability.

The valve's contoured, easy-grip nut is designed with a knurled texture and squared profile, making it more user-friendly for tightening or removal without tools. An integrated rubber grommet on the valve nut ensures a secure seal and helps prevent damage to the rim.

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NanoAir TPU Tubes
NanoAir TPU tubes set a new standard for lightweight, compact, and durable cycling innertubes. WTB considers TPU the ideal material for spare tubes. Designed to integrate seamlessly into a rider's gear, the NanoAir TPU tubes are significantly lighter and more compact than conventional butyl tubes, compressing to a third of the size and weighing 60% less.

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Available in three sizes, NanoAir TPU tubes cater to mountain, gravel, and road cyclists alike. Their superior durability and compatibility with a wide range of tire widths makes them a versatile choice. Each tube is uniquely colored to match WTB's iconic tanwall tires and comes with two glue less TPU patches for convenient puncture repair.

100% Recyclable Packaging. Available Now.
The TCS Max-Flow Valves and NanoAir TPU tubes feature packaging that is not only recyclable but also made from recycled materials. The NanoAir TPU tubes are priced starting at $32.95/€22.95/£35.00, and the TCS Max-Flow Valves are available in pairs for $24.95/€28.75/£32.00. These products are available for purchase at WTB.com or through local bike shops.

Author Info:
wilderness-trail-bikes avatar

Member since Mar 22, 2010
19 articles

48 Comments
  • 71 0
 Independent from the product, it’s nice to see more and more paper packaging is finding its way into mountain bike products. Good to see companies going more environmental friendly over flashy plastic packaging.
  • 17 0
 Shimano is also good at this. Its like packaging origami.
  • 3 0
 Peaty’s has been doing this for a long time which aligns with the products themselves being biodegradable if not readily-biodegradable.
  • 4 0
 Shimano, Magura, PNW, Wolftooth, Crank Brothers, Ergon, MicroShift, Muc Off, Jagwire, they all use paper/card packaging on anything I've purchased over the last couple of years. Spank and Fox (clothing) do something funky with some of their 'hang tags' for retail displays and they're actually front mud-guards, just add zip ties!
  • 5 0
 Cornelius Kapfinger/Intend is known to ship his wares padded with kitchen sponges, and I think toilet paper rolls per Dale Stone. Why through the sponge away when you can protect your products with something useable?
  • 8 0
 I'm confused how the valves is a universal presta core, which should have a universal bore diameter, but claim that a larger stem bore diameter makes a difference. Also another company making TPU inner tubes but not making them for fatbikes.
  • 8 0
 seems kinda like putting a huge bore diameter tip on the end of your Civic exhaust
  • 2 0
 I have retired a number of stems by different brands that do not maintain that full presta-core diameter all the way through, making it much harder to clear clogs & insert sealant injectors. Stating "our valve does not get stupid-narrow" is indeed a selling point.
  • 3 0
 +1 for wanting TPU fat bike tubes!
  • 1 0
 It might mean they are maintaining a thinner wall thickness on the whole stem, or even bore out the unthreaded portion to match the o/d of the valve core thread vs the i/d?
  • 1 1
 Bought schrader tubeless valves, could be happier or less frustrated
  • 3 0
 @262-2stroked: could be, or couldn't be?
  • 8 0
 I don't get flat tires very often, but when I do they are usually catastrophic... it would be dreamy to get a simple puncture.
  • 5 0
 I was waiting for a Dos XX finishing line, but it never came.
  • 1 0
 @AppleJack76: I don't always wait for XX finishing lines. But when I do, they never come.
  • 1 0
 Doesn't feel like you're thirsty enough yet... you can't rush greatness so giving it another month or two to ponder Big Grin
  • 6 0
 Maybe it's just me, but the bacon strips between two sheets of plastic often end up as a flat, unuseable mess for me. Maybe it gets too hot here or maybe there's a shelf life, but it's the main reason that I use Dynaplugs over traditional bacon. Too many times pulling out the bacon pack to reveal just 5 brown/orange lines of goop sandwiched between two sheets of cellphane.
  • 1 0
 True, they definitely go bad after a few years
  • 6 0
 "Depending on the size of your hole you can double up". So many bits of gold in this video.
  • 13 7
 Can WTB launch tires that don't leak from the sidewalls?
  • 4 1
 Maybe the case for some of their thinner gravel tires but def not my experience with Vigilantes in light or tough casing.
  • 2 0
 @analog7: For sure. I refuse to try their mtb tires because their gravel tires are such poor quality. It's a shame, because they make the best saddles.
  • 2 0
 @matyk: I too believe their saddles are diamonds in the rough for products which are otherwise reasonably priced but largely don't get me that excited.
  • 1 0
 Sure-if you get DH weight tires that aren't DH rated.
  • 1 0
 I have had the same issue with some of their older tires, but the ones I have tried since they started using that SG2 nylon insert seem to be fine now. I have tried the Nano, Trail Boss, Vigilante and so far so good.
  • 2 0
 The move from 2.8 mm to 3.8 mm internal diameter on the valve core is a 35.7% increase. However in fluid dynamics, the flow rate varies with the 4th power of the internal diameter, so this should increase flow by 239% (1.357 ^ 4 = 3.39, then you subtract the 100 percent you started with to find the percentage increase). So please check my math, but I'm not sure how they arrived at that 84% figure.

But this is all purely academic for me anyway. I've never had any problem with whatever tubeless valves were cheapest, which were indeed the original WTB ones on occasion.
  • 1 0
 They've just put up a review of some other valves on the home page and a figure of 300% is mentioned, so 84% seems off if the other figure is correct.
  • 1 0
 @commental: Yeah, I spotted that too. I wish these marketers would show their work! But it'll never happen.
  • 1 0
 60% of the time
it works every time
  • 6 1
 Reamer? I hardly knew her.
  • 1 0
 I'm grabbing one of these for sure. I do a good bit of vehicle off-roading/camping by myself far away from any help and I haven't carried a spare tire for a couple of years. I have an ARB plug kit, GlueTread sidewall repair patches, and an air compressor. Why not carry similar for my bike? I bet Mark Weir does the same.
  • 3 0
 I wonder how far they launched it? must have been about 300psi in a tire i'm guessing for a decent launch.
  • 2 0
 I’d love to see a version of these plugs developed for OneUp EDC tools as a replacement to the traditional fork + bacon strip system.
  • 2 0
 I found a small tool and cut the handle down so it fits in the storage canister of my EDC.
  • 4 0
 I cut the thread off an old CO2 cartridge, cut down my jabber of choice and epoxied it in to the thread stubb. It then screws into the bottom of my EDC under the small canister (I run the thread less insert so small only). Works a treat on the rare occurrence I've needed it.

Might try a dynaplug next.
  • 1 0
 @diggery: This is a great idea, thank you.
  • 3 0
 shut up and take my money!
  • 1 0
 Agree. That plug kit looks proper.
  • 1 0
 Now they just need to keep the original Deva/Devo in production. And make tires that fall somewhere between super fragile and tractor tire heavy.
  • 1 0
 Too bad there sidewalls are absolute trash and will leak on any gravel tire they make
  • 1 4
 I have never used a tire plug. I've never seen anyone use a tire plug. I've never come across a scenario where a tire seemed like it could be plugged. Do people actually use them? I ride double down or heavier tires and ride in the PNW so that probably has something to do with it but how often are people really using them?
  • 4 0
 They've saved my day a few times, I prefer lighter tyres and I wouldn't ride without them.
  • 2 0
 I've used them quite a few times - maybe once or twice a year. I ride about 1000 miles a year in places where the rocks are sometimes sharp and plentiful. Sealant is good for little cactus needle holes - anything else needs a plug in my experience. Tire plugs are my friend and I always carry them.
  • 1 0
 you must be new to mountain biking. Welcome to the pinkbike comment section
  • 2 0
 I've had to plug a bunch of tires (including DD casings) and once plugged, kept riding those tires until they wore out. Super small weight penalty to carry a plug kit-so really no downside.
  • 1 2
 You probably just have bad line choice.
  • 2 0
 @krhaack: Douchebag comment.
  • 2 3
 PB = PressBike







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