The best lightweight tyre insert for protecting your rim?

Edited Date/Time 1 day ago

Chasing reccomendations for lightweight tyre inserts. I’m not looking to run lower pressures for feel or support, I want to maintain as close as possible to the usual tubeless feeling, I’m purely looking for the best lightweight insert to protect the rim incase of bad line choice.

1
|
10 hours ago

I have not tried them but the Rim Saver appears to be the best.  I would love to try them.  They just make sense.

I'm currently running the EC Cushcore in the downhill bike solely for rim protection.  I will probably switch to rim saver eventually.

Plus they have a great story and are made in Vermont.

2
jeff.brines
Posts
1296
Joined
8/29/2010
Location
Grand Junction, CO, USA
10 hours ago

Rim Saver for sure. If you don't want the squish of a foam insert (like many do not), but still want to protect your rim, Rim Saver is by far your best option. Plus Ryan lurks around these parts, super good engineer, really nice guy.

2
Snowwww
Posts
4
Joined
10/14/2025
Location
Lakewood, CO, USA
8 hours ago
Rim Saver for sure. If you don't want the squish of a foam insert (like many do not), but still want to protect your rim, Rim...

Rim Saver for sure. If you don't want the squish of a foam insert (like many do not), but still want to protect your rim, Rim Saver is by far your best option. Plus Ryan lurks around these parts, super good engineer, really nice guy.

This. Only one flat since I started running rim saver, and that was entirely a combination of user errors. Easier to install than cush or rimpact too.  

1
bicycle019
Posts
39
Joined
8/16/2017
Location
Denver, CO, USA
6 hours ago

Protecting your rim and preventing pinch flats are two different things even though they are related and might seem similar just to be clear.

It seems like a good number of world cup XC race guys run the Vittoria one - Air-Liner Light XC Trail - MTB Tire Inserts | Vittoria  

55g added which is a not bad compared to other options. Can't speak to how effective it is at rim protection but it's light and claims to help prevent pinch flats if that's what you are after. 

 

1
3 hours ago
bicycle019 wrote:
Protecting your rim and preventing pinch flats are two different things even though they are related and might seem similar just to be clear.It seems like...

Protecting your rim and preventing pinch flats are two different things even though they are related and might seem similar just to be clear.

It seems like a good number of world cup XC race guys run the Vittoria one - Air-Liner Light XC Trail - MTB Tire Inserts | Vittoria  

55g added which is a not bad compared to other options. Can't speak to how effective it is at rim protection but it's light and claims to help prevent pinch flats if that's what you are after. 

 

Rim protection is the aim, I can’t remember the last time I got a pinch flat or flat tyre in general. 

1

Post a reply to: The best lightweight tyre insert for protecting your rim?

The Latest