How & When To Use A Dynaplug

HOW AND WHEN

TO USE A DYNAPLUG

Like many riders, you may have experienced the unfortunate event of your tubeless sealant not clogging up a large puncture or slice to your tire. The latest tubeless mountain bike tires are generally pretty tough. Even riders that hit the trails aggressively will typically not slice open a tire wide enough for some of the latest sealant technology to do its trick. Of course, you can always gamble on the odds and rely on a spare tube, super glue or some type of tire boot to get back to pedaling. However, if those (or other creative) solutions for repair fail, you may be hiking your bike home.

For us mountain riders, that might not be a viable option if you’re deep into some backcountry singletrack. Even with a proper tubeless setup, it’s best to carry something known as a tubeless tire-plug kit. To name a few, Lezyne, Slime, Muc-Off and Stan’s are currently offering kits to tackle tubeless tire troubles. Essentially, there is a rubber-like strip that is inserted into a puncture to work with the remaining sealant and bond the puncture shut. From there, air can be added to reinflate the tire. Unlike the brands mentioned above, Dynaplug has a different approach that could save you from walking your bike.

WHAT IS THIS THING?

Dynaplug is a small company that was founded in 1991. Since this time, they have been dedicated to innovating DIY tubeless-tire repair solutions that are easy to store, lightweight, practical and fast that ultimately results in a reliable repair.

Although we are highlighting their bicycle options, it’s worth noting that Dynaplug is not limited to repairing any particular tire. The brand’s products branch into the motorcycle, car, ATV, scooter and even the tractor world. So, how does this work?

Each plug is made with a proprietary rubber-impregnated cord mounted to a non-abrasive brass tip. From there, the plugs are inserted into a stainless steel insertion tube. The stainless tubes that house the plugs are then threaded into one of Dynaplug’s applicator tools.

Their applicators vary in size, design, material and even function. Their bicycle repair products start at $25 and go up to $75. For our testing, we mainly used their minimalist option. This version is priced at $48 and called the Carbon Racer. The Carbon Racer holds one Megaplug (larger-size plug, bullet tip) with an insertion tube and one regular plug with an insertion tube (pointed tip). The construction of the Carbon Racer tool is made from a strong and lightweight composite.

However, Dynaplug does offer models constructed of 6061 aluminum that have larger storage space like the Megapill. The larger Megapill model holds two Megaplugs with insertion tubes, five standard plugs with insertion tubes, a micro knife to cut excess plugs, and a pipe cleaner. Although not covered in this how-to, it’s worth pointing out that there is an option called the Dynaplug Air. This model uses the same plug, but also utilizes a CO₂ cartridge to regulate air into a tire.

THE PROCESS

The design and materials used are simple and well thought out, while the process to use the tool is equally on par. As mentioned above, each applicator has some differences, but the overall technique is the same. From here, we take a look at the simple steps for tire repair with a Dynaplug Racer.

1. At each end of the tool, the end caps are sealed with an O-ring to protect the insertion tubes. One end has a standard plug, while the other has the larger Megaplug.

2. If you need to install a new plug into the insertion tube, make sure to take a moment and make sure it is installed without a lot of force. It is advised not to cram a new plug into the insertion tube. As Dynaplug recommends, you may want to roll the plug between your fingers to straighten the cord. 3. Load the plug so the metal tip is flush against the end of the insertion tube.

4. If you are able to see the object protruding from your tire, make sure to take note of the angle it is at before removing. Once removed, you will want to try and insert the plug at the same angle.

5. Now it is time to make the repair. Firmly push the insertion tube straight through until the tool is bottomed out. It is crucial from this point to not twist or turn the tool when inserting the plug. If twisted, this can cause the brass tip to separate from the cord. It is equally important to fully insert the tool so the plug is placed properly for repair. You may have lost a bunch of air at this point, but there is no need to fear. If low pressure is making it difficult to insert the plug, you can squeeze the sidewalls together or add a little air to give the tire more structure.

6. Remove tool to deposit the plug, add air, and spin the tire to spread out the remaining sealant. The tail doesn’t need to be cut; instead, it can be folded and pressed into the tread. From here, the impregnated rubber cord bonds instantly with the tire, and you are ready to get back to hitting the trails.

TEST RESULTS

A Dynaplug product has been along for countless journeys over the past few years. In some cases we were glad it was never used; on the other hand, we might still be stuck in the mountains without it. When first picked up, the plugs seem sharp and not the first choice to go pushing into a tire. However, Dynaplug repeatedly reports that this is precisely why the tips are made with brass. In case a tip breaks free, brass is a soft metal that will wear down over time while remaining non-abrasive to tire rubber. We did have a brass head break off, and although annoying to listen to, the tire remained sealed from the initial repair. Not only did it remain sealed, but it lasted another five months of riding until other tires were swapped out.

During our repairs, we never needed to use the Megaplugs, as the standard plugs did the job for the puncture size we obtained. Each tip is designed to fix a puncture up to 4.6mm in diameter. If the tear is beyond one plug, more plugs can be inserted until sealed. Even though a puncture is frustrating, we have had a successful repair with every repair using the Dynaplug.

If you run tubeless tires, you really need to start carrying a simple tire-plug kit. Given the few years of use, countless tires saved from the garbage and never worrying about a hike-a-bike situation, we have no doubt in saying that a Dynaplug is a great choice for a tubeless rider’s repair kit.

HITS

• Easy to store, lightweight, practical and fast repair

• No chemical, adhesive or waiting time

• Made in the USA

MISSES

• Expensive with respect to other kits on the market

STAR RATING

4.5 stars out of 5

Price: $24.99–$74.99

Contact: www.dynaplug.com

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