[Closed] Stans dart, Dynaplug or Anchivies

not used the dart but have moved to dynaplug from standard stuff. Seems ok

I read up on those, used anchovies for years but wanted something quicker and less faff. Stans got very mixed reviews, I ended up going for Dynaplug racer. It's a very neat and well made unit, I keep it in my pocket with a CO2 inflator attached to it via a rubber band, it's very quick indeed, you can have it out and working before tyre is fully deflated.

i'm a fan of the stans darts. used it twice on the trail and been a doddle both times. well actually three times, had to do the first puncture twice as i'd not put the first one in all the way and it came out, but put that down to user error. not tried dynaplug, but anything is better than anchovies - messy awkward little devils that they are

I've got the Sahmurai tubeless tool - fits in the bar ends so really handy to get to. Only used that and a standard tool (which the Sahmurai is really, just a different handle) so can't comment on the others.

Bikepacking.com have a guide with links to their reviews of various systems here - https://bikepacking.com/plan/tubeless-tire-repair-guide/

There's also the Dynaplug Covert which is fairly new on the market - https://bikepacking.com/gear/dynaplug-covert-review/

I used to have a standard Anchovy kit and it failed on first attempted use and was a ball ache.

Went to the LBS and picked up the Dynaplug Racer, its great piece of kit has saved 4 or 5 rides now, the plugs have just been left in too, I haven't bothered doing any additional patching.

If you have to put an innertube in, does the dynaplug and dart not puncture it?

The ball ended ones wouldn't, the pointed ones yes, I'd imagine.

I'm of a mind to replace them anyway, I know folk leave them in, and I've done it myself in the past, but I've also had an anchovy repair fail on me, so I do replace with a proper mushroom plug at the first opportunity.

+1 for Dynaplug

The metal tips are super thin brass, won't damage the tyre or rim and are supposed to break down in time but if I have the tyre off for any reason I tend to pick them out as once the plug has fully bonded to the casing their work is done anyway.

If the tyre damage was severe and required multiple plugs to get me home I'll sometimes remove the tips and put an internal patch over the area as 'belt and braces' but most of my single plug Dynaplug repairs I've just left and the tyres seem to hold air just fine so....

I read somewhere that the Stans Darts are specifically designed to react with Stans sealant, is this the case? Can't help but feel that will limit their appeal if so.

Dynaplug - have had one of the little "Race" ones since they came out, used twice on the trail, both times worked perfectly. Bought another to carry on commutes.
Anchovies - used a couple of times, only in the garage, worked fine.
Haven't tried the Stans, but it get good reviews - can't see it being any better or worse than Dynaplug.
Choose which is prettiest 🙂

I bought the standard Dynaplug this year and have used it twice.

It works well on small holes, and is definitely easier to insert than an anchovy. Had to resort to an anchove for a bigger hole though.

I've also found that the pre-loaded plugs are prone to falling out of the tool and then being difficult to pop back into it, as they are all floppy.

Bit like trying to get yer oats after eight pints, IYKWIM.

Or is that just me?

Darts are the best as a 'get you home' solution but have had all come out over time - mainly when riding high pressure on the road. FYI. With the Darts you need to make sure the sealant is compatible I think.

Cheers all.

The Dynaplug sounds good, so will get one of those

Dynaplug race fits nicely in a hollow crank with some foam packing.

Have used dozens of standard anchovies - find them very simple and quick to use and always leave them in. Only had problems with thin CX tyres.

Dart/Dynaplug seem like a lot of money for something that does the same job and not necessarily any better.

Having finally conceded I need to go tubeless on the CX bike (well, not 'need' but the alternative was heavier stiffer tyres, urg) I'm now considering my trailside options, erring towards Dynaplugs after seeing my mates struggling with Darts, at least once the little frilly 'skirt' seems to have come away from the stem rather than get forced through the hole in the tyre? Do they just need to ream the hole out slightly?

They've also come loose more than once and we've had to stop while they jiggle sealant about and top up pressure then continue riding albeit more gingerly... User error?

Dart/Dynaplug seem like a lot of money for something that does the same job and not necessarily any better.

Where anchovies can be awkward is if you put a hole in a tough carcass enduro tyre. Some can be so tough that it's hard to widen the hole enough to fit the anchovy in. The pointy tip on a Dynaplug does solve that issue quite well.

Always used anchovies with no problems

Tried Darts but very disappointed. They need a large hole and if you force them in the plastic head/barbs snap off

Plus they need sealant inside as the material reacts with it. If like me you sometimes forget to top up the sealant they won’t work

Wish I’d bought Dynaplugs

Itonically now I run foams I can ride a few miles with a puncture so can usually get back to the car and do a proper mushroom plus repair at home

Used anchovies with no problems for many years, bought dynaplug a couple of years ago and, although I've had very few occasions to use it, I've had at least one hole too big for it to seal. Anchovy being doubled over worked then though. For me, I think dynaplug may be quicker but not by much and I don't care about that minute or two, so I've just got the normal stuff back in my pack now.

I do also tend to replace with a mushroom as and when the tyre is off, but not always and it's probably unnecessary anyway. I couldn't with any certainty say it offers a longer lasting solution, it just seems tidier.

I've used anchovies in the past and found them very fiddly. Changed to Stan's darts (I use Stan's race) and think they are magic, I've used the many times now (5 in the rear tire) and the create a permeant fix. If putting a tube in though I would defiantly remove them. There not cheap either, but dam cheaper than a tyre.

NewRetroTom
Full Member

Dart/Dynaplug seem like a lot of money for something that does the same job and not necessarily any better.

Definitely true, anchovies work just as well ime (though, I think probably the dynaplug is easier to use- not that anchovies are hard, it's just that a lot of people obviously don't quite get it, I started pretty much just shoving people out of hte way and fitting it for them on one holiday)

But, I love the little package- the anchovie kit I carry is, what, 20 times the size of my dynaplug? Which also means it sits at the bottom of my pack, and it's too bulky really for me to have in my quick-ride bumbag. The Dynaplug's tiny so it can sit happily in an easy to reach pocket without being a hassle, or with a CO2 inflator- makes no real difference day to day, would have made a difference if I'd needed it in the mega frinstance (or when thrashing to catch an uplift). Basically small and convenient does cost money.

I'd be totally happy if you could make a traditional anchovy that was the size of a dynaplug kit, but you just can't really.

Or, TLDR, it's not the plugs I'm paying for, it's the whole deal

Dynaplug on the road for me...

Depends on what you're doing, normal rides with mates, anchovies are fine. I once punctured 200m into a stge at Dunkeld enduro (on rake n ruin) and was still rumbling around trying to get the anchovy shit together while the tyre was deflated, then another few minutes pumping up.

I've convinced myself that if I'd had the racer in my pocket, it would have been sorted and I could've finished the stage on the air that was left in the tyre.

That's my justification for it, as my 'race' was pretty much gubbed by then, and I was gutted as I'd rode Cairn to cottage wayyyy better than I usually would!