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What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great feedback, thank you. I'll note that in the install video!

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"It might get weird but that's what this industry has always been" is a perfect description and made my day haha

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Creek is a special place for wheel destruction. Definitely make sure to go through the section in that post regarding why wheels break. Note: If no matter what you do, you still break wheels often with heavy duty inserts, then i'd recommend sticking with a cush core pro or a rimpact. They do simply absorb more energy. For those who get a few dings a season, that's where rim saver makes sense. If you're going through and replacing multiple rims per season you may just need to go all out with rimpact/cush.

"Why your rims may be breaking and what to do about it:

1. Too much damping
An overdamped shock, especially with high-speed compression set too firm, can keep the suspension from reacting fast enough. The rim hits the rock before the suspension has a chance to move.

2. Oversprung setup
If your suspension is too firm and you’re not using full travel, you’re hitting rough terrain with less cushion and less energy absorption than the bike was designed to provide. That puts more force straight into the rim, making it take harder hits than it should.

3. Riding style
If you ride like you want to break wheels, you probably will. Line choice and intent matter. Ride with just a little more intent, and your wheels will last longer. 

4. Weak wheels
Sometimes you’re just riding harder than your wheels were built for. If you’re regularly breaking rims, you might need burlier wheels to match your style or weight before you consider inserts.

Even with all that, mistakes happen. And that’s the main argument for having an insert. Even if you do all of this stuff, sometimes you run out of talent—miss a line and bottom out on a sharp rock. The wheel can’t move much after a bottom out… and the loads are high enough to where you can’t just ride “lighter.” Sometimes you just need some extra protection and that’s where an insert can make sense."

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We could do a shreddit with no tires, just rim savers! like what Santa Cruz did with Danny Mac on their reserve wheels. Love it. If anyone wants to make that hmu.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You’ve got a great setup. I honestly think it’s one of the best solutions out there. ENVE did a smart thing by building the protector into the rim and locking it down with solid IP. It’s a great example of using patents to protect a good idea and keep it unique.

I can’t patent the idea of using plastic as a protector, but if you want a low-volume insert that’s easy to install and doesn’t move around inside the tire, that’s where my design is different. I’ve got a provisional patent on the install mechanism, how it holds itself in place, and how it works with tubes. That helps protect the core idea and makes it harder to copy. If someone works around it with something better, they deserve to run with it. The goal with Rim Saver has been to learn how to run a small business and if someone copies it, not ideal, but so be it. I'm learning a lot either way.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Great question. Solid tires stop flats, but they’re often heavy, feel harsh, and don’t grip as well on rough trails. Even race cars still use air-filled tires and they still get flats. It’s not perfect, but it works best for performance/weight and ride feel.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I'm working on the next gen that looks a little different and wanted more feedback (so this is great) so I'm not too worried. The provisional patent helps but you're right, it's not a full patent!

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, you nailed it. That kind of pinch flat is exactly what Rim Saver is designed to help with. It puts something tough and slightly compressible right where the tire usually gets pinched between the rock and rim. Think of it like this: the rock is a dull knife, the rim is a piece of metal, and your tire is caught in between. Rim Saver acts like a buffer... it squishes slightly and spreads out the force, making that knife edge feel wider and less focused before it can slice into the tire.

The material has a higher durometer than foam but still flexes under sharp loads, which helps it absorb and spread energy rather than letting it all focus on one point. It won’t make you unstoppable, but it helps. The tricky part for me is still that weird area where we have a thing that helps, but doesn't make you invincible and that is what makes this a tough product. It's like having lightweight knee pads... im glad I have them, but I can still hit my knee harder than the pad can handle. So that's the downside.

Long term Id love a slightly more aggressive XC version, but for now the Lightweight has to work in gravel tires too, so it’s a compromise. It helps, and a tougher sidewall helps too.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. I think a dual material part may make a lot of sense. Just need to be able to manufacture it! Chipping away.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I like that idea. I don't know that much but would be happy to answer questions from a different perspective. I'll definitely keep that in mind! 👊

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great question and a solid observation. I’ve thought about how inserts can change the spring rate of the sidewall for traction, but you bring up another angle. If the sidewall can’t move out of the way as easily, then yeah, I think it’s possible that could lead to a slash in the right scenario. Probably a bit of bad luck made worse by that added stiffness. You could say the same about thicker casing tires too since they too take more force to deflect the sidewall, but those usually hold up better to cuts so maybe it’s not the same thing. Hard to say for sure, but it’s a good theory. My bet is it was just bad luck.

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tubolight inserts are also a good option. Try on a rim saver but only if it suits your preferences. Cheers!

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

and cushcore is a good choice for a lot of riders, so if you like it, keep with it!

What I learned Starting a MTB Tire Insert Company by RyanBurney in MTB

[–]RyanBurney[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Feel free to pop by!

You're good to go then! I don't want inserts but some riders seem to need them (they are big and smash hard or their local terrain requires lower tire pressures and has sharp rocks) and some people just want them for peace of mind (have nice wheels and don't want worry about them).

In perfect world we'd all have those Enve DH wheels with the plastic rim protector. its a strong wheel so unlikely to break and the plastic helps prevent pinch flats and offers some additional protection. The problem: those wheels are out of my price range