Végétalex - bicycle tyre sealant

Végétalex is a revolutionary tyre sealant, biodegradable and totally plastic free: great for the environment, long lasting, and providing a high degree of puncture protection for tubeless, tubular and inner-tube applications.

• Unique plant-based puncture repairing ingredients (winner of Design and Innovation Award 2021)
• Extremely durable
• Adds little weight to wheels, following the suggested quantities
• Compatible with the use of CO2 cartridges
• Biodegradable and totally plastic free
• Being very low maintenance (in most cases, it will last a full season of riding) it’s ideal also for e-bikes
• Easy to clean
• Check here the correct quantity of Végétalex you need!

CHARACTERISTICS:

Sizes

Végétalex is available as bottles of 1000 or 250 ml. Bottles come with a flexible tube, to allow sealant injection straight through the valve.
Five liter Végétalex Pro Point is available for teams or shops.

Why we developped it

Our tyre sealant Caffélatex has a strong palmarès of victories to demonstrate its performance, together with a solid and constantly growing base of happy users, worldwide. As we should all do our best to reduce our impact on the environment, we started working on a plant-based sealant that was both good with nature and very effective – similar to Caffélatex - against punctures. It took us more than two years of development, but we can now say Végétalex has exceeded our expectations.

Plant-based puncture repairing ingredients

Most tyre sealants employ slowly biodegradable liquid polymers (like natural or synthetic latex) to repair punctures; Végétalex instead contains only plant-based particles and fibers - finely ground olive stones and cellulose fibers - to deliver a tremendous puncture clogging effect. This mix, held together by xanthan gum (produced from simple sugars), fixes punctures ranging from small tyre porosities to bigger cuts (up to 5 mm) fast and in a permanent way.

Extremely durable

Durability was one of the priorities for the “Végétalex” project. As it doesn’t rely on the solidification of a liquid polymer to fix punctures, rather on a sophisticated mix of different shapes and sizes of natural particles with xanthan gum, Végétalex has a long ‘active’ lifespan inside tyres. Starting at 3 months in worst-case scenarios (very porous tyres in hot weather and small quantity of sealant), Végétalex will keep repairing punctures for more than 6 months inside most tyres. This makes it also suitable for inner-tube applications.

Lightweight

Végétalex has been finely tuned to obtain a high mobility, so that a small quantity goes a long way in terms of coverage of the inner surface of the tyre. For Végétalex, we suggest using about 20% more than the quantities recommended for Caffélatex. As an example, for a 29x2.10 (54-622) tubeless-ready tyre iCaffélatex recommends a minimum of 70 ml (approx. 2 1⁄2 oz.) of Caffélatex or 84 ml (approx. 3 oz.) of Végétalex.

Compatible with the use of CO2 cartridges

Végétalex isn’t damaged by the use of CO2 cartridges.

Biodegradable and totally plastic free

Végétalex doesn’t contain ammonia or other aggressive chemicals, nor is it toxic or corrosive. Végétalex doesn’t contain macro or micro plastics, no rubber particles (please note: recycled rubber decomposes very slowly!), no aramid fibers (that will remain in the environment for a long time...): all the ingredients of Végétalex are highly biodegradable. Végétalex doesn’t trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to products made with natural rubber latex. However, it may contain traces of nut.

Note: As with all other sealants, oxidation of aluminum rims can happen (because of the water content) if the metal rim surface is not painted/protected or covered by tubeless rim strip or tape.

Low maintenance

Being able to ‘forget’ about tyre sealant is the dream of tubeless tyre users. Especially those of us who don’t ride too often, wondering whether the sealant is still liquid inside our tyres (or not) is a worry that can spoil the pleasure of a ride. We say that Végétalex is ideal for e-bikes because e-bikers often have to deal with more complex machines, batteries, and electronics; a sealant that’s low maintenance is surely a welcome change. Using more structured tyres, like those specific for e-bikes, Végétalex will easily last a full season of riding, so that you can spend less time doing bicycle maintenance and more time riding.

Easy to clean

Végétalex doesn’t contain pigments or quickly solidifying polymers so it is very easy to remove from surfaces. Even when dry, Végétalex can be cleaned with soapy water and a brush.

Usage and storage temperatures and tips

Usage: -20/+50°C (-4/+122°F) Storage: -15/+30°C (+5/+86°F)

Végétalex will last 2 years after the bottle is first open, provided the bottle is closed properly, stored away from direct sunlight, and the storage temperature is within the range stated above.

It’s important to shake Végétalex bottle well before injecting the sealant into tyres. If extra protection is needed - for example taking a multiple days ride on rocky, thorny terrain – we suggest adding 30 ml of product to the recommended quantity.

Made in Italy.

TECH VIDEO

REVIEWS

FAQ

What is Végétalex and what makes it unique?

Végétalex is a revolutionary tyre sealant that is quickly biodegradable and entirely plastic-free. What sets it apart is its use of unique plant-based puncture-repairing ingredients, which have won the Design and Innovation Award in 2021. It is highly effective in repairing punctures and is compatible with tubeless, tubular, and inner-tube applications.

How durable is Végétalex compared to other sealants?

Végétalex is extremely durable. Unlike traditional sealants that rely on liquid polymers, it uses a mixture of natural particles, including finely ground olive stones and cellulose fibers, held together by xanthan gum. This unique combination provides long-lasting puncture protection for more than 6 months in most tyres. IMPORTANT TIP: the lifespan of Végétalex can be furtherly extended by adding into the tyres its specific replenisher… common water! Adding water (50% of the original Végétalex quantity) into the tyres after some months will ensure Végétalex has the right viscosity to move quickly inside the tyres.

Is Végétalex lightweight, and how much should I use for my tyres?

Végétalex is lightweight and doesn't add significant weight to your wheels. For optimal performance, we recommend using about 20% more than the quantities recommended for Caffélatex. The suggested quantity depends on your tyre size, but this extra amount ensures effective coverage of the inner tyre surface.

Yesterday Végétalex fixed my puncture on the go, but now there’s still some liquid oozing out. How’s that?

Végétalex doesn't contain latex. Long and short fibers clog the puncture and stop the pressure loss (as fast as a latex sealant), then Xanthan gum will polymerize to completely seal the puncture, but it can take time (even days in some cases). In the meantime, some liquid might ooze through the puncture but that's not associated with pressure loss.
To provide a better explanation, the way latex sealants repair punctures (i.e. stop the pressure loss when something punctures your tyres) is by polymerisation, turning solid while exiting the hole. When that happens, latex becomes solid, nothing comes out of the puncture anymore.
With Végétalex we avoided latex, as it's a polymer that will remain in the environment for a long time, so we rely on a mix of (natural) fibers and particles to mechanically clog the puncture, hence stopping the pressure loss. The polymer we use to make sure the hole is completely repaired in the long run is Xanthan gum. Much slower to polymerise than latex, but that's ok, because the hole is plugged and no air is escaping at this point. There might be some minor leak of liquid for some time, but no pressure loss.

Can I use Végétalex with CO2 cartridges without damaging it?

Yes, Végétalex is compatible with the use of CO2 cartridges. It won't be damaged by their use, if you choose that solution for reinflating your tyres on the go.

Is Végétalex environmentally friendly?

Végétalex is both quickly biodegradable and plastic-free. It's an ideal choice for environmentally conscious riders. 

Can I use Végétalex on all types of bicycles, or is it limited to specific tyre types?

Végétalex is versatile and can be used on a wide range of bicycles. It's suitable for tubeless, tubular, and inner-tube applications, making it a great choice for road bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, and more.

Are there any special considerations for applying Végétalex to my tyres?

When using Végétalex, it's important to shake the bottle well before injecting the sealant into your tyres. This ensures proper dispersion of the ingredients. Additionally, if you anticipate challenging terrain, such as rocky or thorny areas, you can add 30 ml of product to the recommended quantity for extra protection.

How easy is it to clean Végétalex from tyres and other surfaces if needed?

Végétalex is easy to clean. Unlike sealants with pigments or quickly solidifying polymers, it can be easily removed from surfaces even when dry. Simply use soapy water and a brush to clean any residue.

What are the storage and usage temperature limits for Végétalex?

Végétalex is designed to perform within a temperature range of -20°C to +50°C (-4°F to +122°F). For storage, it's recommended to keep the product within the range of -15°C to +30°C (+5°F to +86°F). Proper storage ensures the sealant remains effective and safe to use.

How long can I keep Végétalex once I've opened the bottle, and how should I store it for maximum shelf life?

Once opened, Végétalex can be stored for up to 2 years if the bottle is closed properly and kept away from direct sunlight. To ensure longevity and performance, maintain the storage temperature within the specified range. This allows you to have sealant available whenever you need it for your rides. You can even adjust the viscosity of Végétalex adding tap water, in case it seems slightly too dense for optimal spreading inside the tyre.

Is it suitable for e-bikes?

It's low maintenance, making it suitable for e-bikes, where riders often prefer hassle-free solutions. With structured e-bike tyres, Végétalex can easily last an entire season of riding, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and allowing you to enjoy more time on your bike.

The sealant has problems sealing the tyre sidewalls. What can I do?

Sidewall porosity on tubeless tyres is quite normal.
A common fix to seal "stubborn" sidewall porosities is the following:
- make sure the sealant inside the tyres is well spread by spinning the wheel for 30 seconds, holding it vertical;
- rotate the wheel 90° and make it spin horizontally for 30 seconds. Without changing its position, let it lay flat for some hours;
- after the time has passed, re-inflate the tyre (if needed) and repeat the process described above for the other side;
- if you see an improved pressure stability but tyres still loose air faster than you'd like, repeating the process will progressively increase air-tightness for the tyre.