[Closed] Tyre inserts - so many to choose from, such different prices!

https://www.dortechdirect.co.uk/50mm-grey-closed-cell-circular-polyethylene-foam-backer-rod.html
£15.82 for 20 metres worth a guy commented on singletrack Facebook a few days ago

Im using Nukeproof ARD. Great price, really light and easily fitted. I got mine in and the tyre on without tyre levers which bodes well if I ever do have a problem on the trail.

The wings on the ARD overhang the edge of the rim so will help prevent the rim sidewalls getting damaged by rock strikes etc.

I have the Dortech 50mm backer rods in a 27.5 2.4 HR and Magic Mary; they do make quite a difference. On the back I can run 20 psi without worrying about the rim, and the front end grip from an Addix soft magic mary running at 17psi is truly incredible.

They are however, a f*cking nightmare to remove. Even using all of the tricks I found online, including those from Gwin's mechanic and using the valve to push the foam away from the rim it's a ball ache to get the tyres off. Seriously doubt i'd be able to do it on the trail, which does worry me a little.

When I change the tyres for summer I'll see how the backer rod looks and maybe replace with Rimpacts.

The 50mm backer works, I'm now on the Vittoria off the back of the Singletrack review. If anyone wants some Dortech stuff, I still some 2m lengths left that I would do for less than Dortech posted..

I used Maxxis and Conti tyres and didn't have any major fight fitting or removing.

Got rimpacts on the hardtail.

I’m a heavy old lump and they help to run reasonable pressures on the 2.8s without worrying about dinging the rims and causing any damage, which has tended to happen a lot on previous bikes non plus bikes.

Just ordered some for the full suspension for a bit of piece of mind.

I did make some from some closed cell foam whilst they did work for a bit they just tore apart form where they were joined and got stuck to the tyres.

I've tried the 50mm backer Rod but as Ric notes it's very difficult to get it in and out.
I put a hole in a rear tyre with it in and it took 2 of us 30min to get the bloody tyre off.
Then had to carry the thing on for the rest of the ride.
If it was any colder we wouldn't of had a chance.
Think it's a good idea if you can get a well priced one that's been designed well to get both in and out easy.

Rimpact here too. Got it in both the front and rear. I've reduced the rear psi by 4 and it's giving me better traction, especially on the climbs which is nice. I do like the peace of mind as well. It might be overkill for the front but I'll see how it goes.

When you know the technique it's easy to put in and get out. I would be confident of getting it out on the trail side.

Ran a 50mm Backer Rod in tbecrear and it was great. Dropped 3psi, generally more Grip and all round feel was improved. I trashed the rear mech and split the rear all in one incident. Didn’t bother trying to tube it, so ran it back as it was. Tyre was forked anyway and tbh it was a bit drifty but got me back from the top of the Gatburn to Staveley. On the flip side, halfway down The Drum, got a flat and far to long back to the car so had to take it out and tube it. (Too big s skit for anchovies) bit of a pain but twisted up and stuffed in a carrier bag wad thd tidiest way to stash it.

Getting it in and out isn’t an issue with the correct technique.

Now running Rimpact which is a little easier to fit, does the job, is more dense and is working well atm

Got a rimpact in my rear wheel.

Bit tricky to fit with a super gravity tyre, but feels good and allows me to be less fussy about line choice and to go faster.

Will probably put them in all but my xc wheels.

Anyone on the ratbite ones ?

Got rimpacts on the hardtail.... run reasonable pressures on the 2.8s

What is the rim internal width please?

I'd like to use on my plus wheels, if the Rimpact is wide enough to do its job on 35mm internal.

I got a rimpact for mine. Really no idea why I chose that over any others. I haven't fitted it yet. Bask in my useful comment

Huck Norris in the rear for me. Running a 2.8 on a hardtail at 19psi is fine with no snake bites, yet lots of tears in the HN after each season. I find the HN light/easy to set up and if I ever need to carry it home (I only ride with a fanny pack) I figure it's the best for folding up.

35mm internal (they say 35mm max).
They also say 2.6 Max tyre ideally but that it will still work with tyres wider than 2.6.

I would have thought with the rimpacts it’s more about rim width so the insert is wide enough to protect the rim.

Cheers for that.
Yes I'm mainly interested in protecting my rear rim, but if it might prevent pinch flats too that's a bonus.
Put a hole in the sidewall of my exo hr2 the other day. Dunno if an insert would have helped there.

Just futted my rimpact. It was quite irritating- I bet teh "tubeless is hard" crowd will love it

I was expecting fitting my Rimpact to be a royal PITA however on 35mm rims with 2.4 tyres it was ok.

I am in the process of fitting a pair of large Vittoria air liners to a mates e-bike with WTBi35 rims & 2.8MM front was tough to fit tyre on. Back is next to do!

I use ratbites and love them. None of the issues I personally have with tubeless distorting and deforming since

Is anyone using an insert in a narrower tyre / rim combo? I've got tight rear clearance issues on one bike and am limited to a 2.25 (2.3 max) rear tyre, on a 23mm internal rim. I'd be keen to get an insert but many seem aimed at 2.3 and over widths!

Also using a Ratbite insert on the back of my gravel bike, easy to install and that combined with a change of tyres has helped me to run a more sensible pressure (40f/45r psi).

Thinking I’ll probably try them out on my mtbs too.

Edit - OwenP Ratbite do them, mine are in 700x42 tyres

The Nukeproof ARD are out of stock everywhere. What have people noticed about the reduction in tyre squirm with both the Rimpacts and Ratbites? That’s really my priority, stable sidewalls at low-ish pressure (without having to go to dual plies).

I have the RIMPACT’s in my American Classic Wide Lightenings (29). Bought as I was curious to see if I’d notice any difference and they were cheap. Fitted by my mate - apparently easier than the Cushcore he has.

As I said in another thread, I think - and it may be placebo - it does make the tyres feel a little ‘damped’ and I certainly felt confident dropping the pressures a bit. Running 21/20 on a HD/MM combo.

Anyone running the Rimpact ones on hope Enduro rims
24mm internals or anything else that would fit 24mm internal rims