[Closed] Gravel rim strips e.g. Vittoria Airliner

Vittoria ones are good if you run tyres on the smaller side - up to 40c I guess as they appear to really be aimed at CX (33c), but have some functionality on some gravel tyres. I think they’re working on bigger gravel specific ones.
Only the road ones are aimed at being run flat options (they compress under higher tarmac pressures and only expand to fill the tyre in the absence of pressure). Gravel and MTB ones are aimed at reducing pinch flats, improving ride quality and in some cases reducing burping. I wouldn’t say the Vittoria gravel ones do the latter due to their relatively small cross section.

Ah OK that's good. As much as I like to pretend I'm a pro rider, trying to ride home on a flat tyre is a step too far!

Will need to search for more reviews, I guess if you want to protect the tyre from pinch flats you want an insert that sits as close to the sidewall as possible, so one designed for a 31mm tyre (as per Vittoria website) might not work so well in a 40mm tyre...

I recently added a rimstrip/insert to the rear tyre of my Enduro bike, definitely enables lower pressures with less chance of catching the rim.

But, even at 30psi I've never caught a rim on my gravel bike - although maybe it's because I've 50c tyres (tubeless) on a 25mm internal rim?

Maybe if you're on narrower tyres and/or narrow rims.

But, even at 30psi I’ve never caught a rim on my gravel bike – although maybe it’s because I’ve 50c tyres (tubeless) on a 25mm internal rim?

Maybe if you’re on narrower tyres and/or narrow rims.

Yeah, it happens to me rarely but was just annoying that it resulted in an unsealable flat in the middle of nowhere last time! (and I didn't even feel the rim strike). I haven't actually tried to repair the hole but I've heard that cuts next to the bead can be tricky to fix.

I run 40mm tubeless on a 20mm internal rim, which is pretty much the limits for my bike.

I had hoped I could maybe run a lighter/more supply version of my usual tyre if I installed inserts, but I think I would be better using the same tyre with inserts and just enjoy the lower pressures!

I run inserts on my gravel bike to give the tyres a bit more support. I found I had to run silly pressures on 700x42 to stop rim strikes and the tyres folding under load. Can just about get away without on the 650x47s but would probably feel better with them in tbf.

Certainly helped and the bike feels much nicer to ride with them in, think I've managed to drop about 5psi an end.

@jamesfts - which inserts?

Could maybe go for a local loop at 5psi less to try it, would put me around 32psi if I ever get back to 'summer weight' 🙄

I haven’t actually tried to repair the hole but I’ve heard that cuts next to the bead can be tricky to fix.

I've managed to get decent MTB tyres to seal, but never gravel tyres. So I just drop the damaged ones off at my local bike charity and they then just re-use them with a tube.

Dynaplugs sorted multiple sidewall and bead holes before I fitted the AirLiners.

Which inserts?

I think the 1st were from Ratbite, they were one of the few places doing light 700c inserts at the time but think they have since disappeared.

Plenty of options though - just chuck in whatever's light and sensibly priced.

I've managed to fix various holes near the bead - it was never fun but it worked.

I'm also tempted by inserts, dont bottom out often and I do run sensible pressures on the gravel bike but all it takes is one unexpected ditch or water bar and an insert would be a very pleasant thing to have (especially if loaded up)

These are what I'm thinking at the moment: https://www.rimpactmtb.com/product-page/rimpact-cx-with-valves

I have the gravel Vittoria ones. Originally bought I was getting rim strikes on a regular bit I ride where the roots are frequent & perpendicular to the trail. Also hoped that they would help reduce tyre burp.

Fitting them was a faff, I needed 3 sets of hands & somehow I've blocked the valve hole so I can only pump them up and not let air out... dunno how I did that.

First proper ride I managed to burp so they didn't help there but I did ride for well over a mile on rough stuff with pressures low enough that I'd have destroyed my rim had the strips not been there.

somehow I’ve blocked the valve hole so I can only pump them up and not let air out… dunno how I did that

Did you fit the valves that came supplied with the strips? I read a review where exactly the same thing happened, the strips will sit on top of a normal valve so you can push air in but then the strip sits back down on top of the valve and 'seals' it. The Vittoria valves have holes on the side rather than on the top, so this doesn't happen.

I am faff-o-phobic right enough, took me long enough to even go tubeless. Hmm...

I've got rimpact pro's in my gravel bike (and trail bike, and OH's Ebike..)
I think they are great.. I ran the gravel wheels at abit lower pressure (42c wtb nanos) and never worried about rimstrikes etc..

DrP

Did you fit the valves that came supplied with the strips?

Nope, just chucked them in the spares... I did cut a V shape in the strip around the valve thinking it'd give room for air but I also think the strip rotated when I fit the tyre so I probably just covered it up again.

I’ve got rimpact pro’s in my gravel bike

As opposed to the Rimpact CX? (genuine question, not being cheeky 😁 )

The Rimpact CX looks more reassuring than the Vittoria Airliner, it appears to overlap the rim more...