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Sorry, I started a thread about this a while ago but thought it was worth starting another just to see what people are running and how they're getting on with them.
I originally installed some Rimpact CX in my 40mm Terreno Dry tyres. I wanted to see how much faster/smoother the bike might feel at lower pressures, knowing that approx 37-38psi was the lowest I could go tubeless without risking pinch flatting the tyre (which I've done twice now).
The results were disappointing to be honest, no additional feeling of speed or lower rolling resistance, didn't even feel noticeably smoother, tyre felt a bit squirmy on off camber bits (like the edge of rutted tracks) and cornering seemed to suffer as the rear tyre would spit out more on loose corners.
I sort of gave up on them but recently, even whilst trying to 'take it easy' on a fast mountain landrover track, I somehow managed to wang the rim off a rock again, miraculously not puncturing or damaging the tyre but putting a hefty ding in the rim. This is literally the first time I've regretted sticking with rim brakes as the ding made front braking a bit of an unpleasant experience, very juddery and snatchy.
So, do I go back to inserts to try and protect my rims from dings? The Vittoria Airliner looks slimmer than the Rimpact so perhaps won't interact with the sidewall of the tyre as much (which is presumably why the tyres spit out more as they can't deform sideways as much on cornering?) but if it's slimmer, will it actually protect the rim? I see Rob Jebb ran them on his 3 Peaks bike so I guess if they're good enough for him...
I originally installed some Rimpact CX in my 40mm Terreno Dry tyres. I wanted to see how much faster/smoother the bike might feel at lower pressures, knowing that approx 37-38psi was the lowest I could go tubeless without risking pinch flatting the tyre (which I’ve done twice now).
Probably won't help as I think you're still in the 90's with V-brakes but I run down to 25psi with 50c Gravelkings and 25mm internal rims. And how do you pinch flat a tubeless tyre - are you actually snake-biting the tyre on the bead?
I did try rimstrips on my Enduro bike after destroying a couple of rear rims, in the end I just added a couple of PSI - rimstrip was PITA for changing tyres etc and TBH just adding the PSI sorted it.
And how do you pinch flat a tubeless tyre – are you actually snake-biting the tyre on the bead?
Yeah, twice now tyre has flatted and sealant hasn't dealt with it. Both times have eventually discovered a hole right by the rim and another further round the casing in a fairly typical snakebite pattern. I think the sealant just doesn't get to the hole closest to the rim.
The first one was quite innocuous, although I'd hit a rocky trail pretty fast I didn't actually feel myself hit the rim. Second time I was asking for it when trying to double up over a couple of waterbars 🙄
you’re still in the 90’s with V-brakes
A decision which, until I'd started dinging rims, was entirely vindicated by hassle free, silent and powerful braking. Would be gutted if I had to go disc just because I kept denting rims 😭
Found a good review of the Vittoria Airliners, sounds like they might be worth a try.
Do you have the TNT (grey) or TLR (tan) version of the Terreno's?
TNT, I avoided the TLR sidewalls for exactly this reason!
50mm Gravel Kings with 25mm internal rims
This is the crux I think, I need to learn to distinguish between '40mm tyre gravel' and 'take the 29er with 52mm semi slicks' gravel.
Big hill track descents where you can pick up tonnes of speed are my downfall, they might not be technically difficult or scary but I guess at those sorts of speeds every rock becomes a rim-dinger 😖
I fitted Tannus Armour tubeless inserts after dinging the rear rim a few times at speed on the Dirty Boar last month. I've only ridden once since with them in, so no specific feedback but do think they're worth putting on your shortlist as they do appear to work a bit different to the usual 'solid' ones.
TNT, I avoided the TLR sidewalls for exactly this reason!
Yea I've not used the TLR's but to hand they are paper thin
This is the crux I think, I need to learn to distinguish between ’40mm tyre gravel’ and ‘take the 29er with 52mm semi slicks’ gravel.
Riding in the Dales, I've certainly learnt that even tracks that look like nice gravel bike terrain from a distance, are much more pleasent with 2.1-2.4" fast rolling mtb tyres given the size of the so-called gravel. I could ride most of the stuff on 40mm but it's sketchy as hell
You could try the gravelking SS+ or SK+? They former in particular seem to be very tough
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/panaracer-gravel-king-ss-tlc
38mm Schwalbe CX Comp on the rear and a 40/42mm terrano wet up front.
Had no issues with the cheap backing rod in the rear tyre until it developed some punctures that just wouldn't seal. I'm inclined to think the sealent was actually doing very little as the rod seemed to interfere with it by providing so much slightly-porous surface area that the amount of liquid left was minimal. It wasn't soaking in, just clinging to the surfaces. Most of my riding is Chilterns XC type stuff, not too rocky. But it survived a week in the Dales riding the roman roads around Raydale and Ribblehead which are borderline gravel/XC.
Rims are Stans Crest (21mm internal but with very short sidewalls?).
Haven't put it back in this winter and TBH not noticed much difference (or had any pinch flats).
Big hill track descents where you can pick up tonnes of speed are my downfall, they might not be technically difficult or scary but I guess at those sorts of speeds every rock becomes a rim-dinger 😖
Yep. I've 2 pals with the same bike as me and they're both still on the 42's they came on - even though they're faster riders they can't keep with me on fast descents - basically extra 8-10mm of bump/rock 'suspension'.
Scotland based too.