Tire plugs generally work, but they can fall out over time or due to rough riding. Ideally, a plug should function as a semi-permanent repair, and with the new Plug Mate Tire Anchor Kit, Crankbrothers has come up with a unique way to ensure your tire stays plugged for the long haul.
By adding small plastic anchors to the tire plug, Crankbrothers promises your tire will stay firmly plugged even if you’re jumping, dropping or braking hard on the roughest MTB trails. I got an early peek at the Plug Mate anchors when Crankbrothers showed some early samples during Crankworx Whistler last summer. It was hush hush at the time, but the product has now launched for spring 2026.
Plug Mate Tire Anchor Kit:
The key part of the Plug Mate kit is the anchor. There are smaller and larger anchors intended for different sized punctures, and they feature a sideways rotating design that locks them inside the tire. The anchors are made from a durable plastic that won’t damage your rim or tire. Small anchors are yellow, and the large anchors are orange so you can tell them apart easily.
The anchors are compatible with most common tire plug forks, so you don’t need to buy a special tool to use them. The fork slips into grooves on the sides of the anchors to hold them in place while you plug your tire.
Using the Plug Mate anchors is marginally more complicated than simply plugging a tire. First, choose either the small or large anchor and a thicker/thinner plug based on the size of your puncture. Next, thread the plug through the anchor (leaving the anchor in the middle) and load the anchor onto your fork. Poke the anchor and plug through the puncture until the anchor disappears, and pull the fork out. A tug on the plug end ensures the anchor flips sideways inside the tire and sets itself in place. Now reinflate and ride away!
Crankbrothers says the bullet-shaped anchors don’t take much effort to push through a tire. If required, the small anchors can fit two plugs at once. What’s really nifty is that the anchors are also reusable, so you can rescue them from a worn out tire and pop them back in your tool kit!
The Plug Mate Tire Anchor Kit comes with three small anchors, three large anchors, 10 thin tire plugs and 5 thick tire plugs. Since a tire plug fork is not included, this simple kit retails for just $9.99.
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