Effetto Mariposa Végétalex 250 ml
Effetto Mariposa Végétalex 250 ml is the plant-based, latex- and plastic-free tyre sealant in the right size for one bike: puncture protection for tubeless, tubular and inner-tube tyres on road, gravel, touring and MTB.
Why Végétalex?
Latex sealants dry out, form rubber balls inside the tyre and leave a sticky mess when you change tyres. Many also contain plastic glitter or fibres that end up in nature. Végétalex keeps the protection and drops the problems: it seals small holes on the ride, cures into a permanent plug, lasts for months and washes off with soap and water.
Plant-based. No latex, no plastics or microplastics, no rubber particles, no aramid fibres, no ammonia.
Seals up to approx. 5 mm. Seals porous casings and cuts up to about 5 mm within seconds, then cures into a permanent plug.
Tubeless, tubular and inner tubes. Works in tubeless and tubular tyres and in latex, butyl and TPU inner tubes.
CO2-compatible. Unlike some latex sealants, Végétalex is not damaged by CO2 cartridges.
Easy to clean. No pigments or fast-setting polymers – soapy water and a brush remove it, even when dried.
Not hazardous. Not classified as hazardous (EC 1272/2008), not toxic, not corrosive.
How Végétalex seals a puncture
Classic sealants rely on liquid latex or synthetic polymers. Végétalex works differently: finely ground olive stones and cellulose fibres of different sizes are carried by the liquid to the hole and plug it mechanically within seconds. Xanthan gum – made from simple sugars – binds the plug together and slowly cures, so the repair becomes permanent.
While the plug cures, a little liquid may weep out for a few days – without loss of pressure. Riders with a natural-latex allergy are not expected to react to it.
One bike, one bottle
One 250 ml bottle is enough for a typical road or gravel bike, or one MTB set-up with a top-up to spare. The bottle comes with a flexible injection tube for filling through the valve.
Award-winning sealant
Végétalex won the Design and Innovation Award 2021 – the result of more than two years of development of a sealant without latex or plastics.
How long does it last?
| Very porous tyre, hot weather, minimal amount | approx. 3 months |
|---|---|
| Most tubeless tyres | more than 6 months |
| Robust e-bike tyres | a full riding season |
Tip: after several months you can restore the flow by adding water equal to about 50% of the original sealant amount.
How much do I need?
Use about 20% more than the amount recommended for Caffélatex (see the iCaffelatex app). For multi-day rides on rocky or thorny terrain add an extra 30 ml.
| 29 × 2.10" (54-622) tubeless MTB tyre | approx. 84 ml per tyre |
|---|---|
| Same tyre, rocky / thorny multi-day ride | approx. 114 ml per tyre |
How to use it
- Shake well. The sealing particles settle at the bottom.
- Fill. Inject through the valve (remove the valve core) or pour into the tyre before seating the last bead.
- Spread. Inflate, then spin the wheel upright for 30 seconds, turn it 90° and spin it horizontally for 30 seconds.
- Seal. Lay the wheel flat for a few hours, reinflate if needed, then repeat on the other side. Repeat once more for the best airtightness.
Who is it for?
- Road, gravel and touring riders. One tubeless bike and a clean, low-maintenance sealant.
- Commuters and e-bike riders. A whole season without thinking about the tyres.
- Riders who care about the environment. No plastics or microplastics left on the trail.
- Inner-tube users. Preventive protection inside latex, butyl or TPU tubes.
Specifications
| Volume | 250 ml |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer code | EMCHVT250 |
| Composition | plant-based: finely ground olive stones, cellulose fibres, xanthan gum; latex-, plastic- and rubber-free |
| Use in | tubeless, tubular, inner tube (latex, butyl, TPU) |
| Seals holes | up to approx. 5 mm |
| CO2-compatible | yes |
| Operating temperature | −20 to +50 °C |
| Storage temperature | −15 to +30 °C |
| Shelf life | 2 years after opening (bottle closed, away from direct light) |
| Dosage | approx. 20% more than the Caffélatex quantity (iCaffelatex app); +30 ml for rocky or thorny terrain |
| In the box | 250 ml bottle with a flexible injection tube |
Frequently asked questions
Is 250 ml enough?
For two road or gravel tyres, usually yes. A 29 × 2.10" MTB tyre needs approx. 84 ml each, so 250 ml covers one MTB set-up plus a small top-up. For several bikes, the 1000 ml bottle is better value.
Is it easy to clean?
Yes. It contains no pigments or fast-setting polymers, so soapy water and a brush remove it – even when dried.
Will it corrode my rims?
Végétalex contains water. Painted, anodised or rim-tape-covered rims are fine; bare, unprotected aluminium can oxidise.
Can I use a CO2 cartridge?
Yes – unlike some latex sealants, Végétalex is not damaged by CO2.
Does it contain allergens?
It is latex-free. It may contain traces of nuts.
Bought from BoodaBike: we set up tubeless wheels every week in our Budapest workshop. Not sure how much sealant your tyres need or which size to buy? Send us your tyre size – we will tell you. Effetto Mariposa was founded by Alberto De Gioannini to solve the everyday problems riders and mechanics actually have. The brand is best known for the Giustaforza torque wrenches and the Caffélatex tyre sealant; since 2014 it has been headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, while its products are still made in Italy. Végétalex is the result of more than two years of development: a sealant that works without latex or plastics.About Effetto Mariposa