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Ryan Burney Liked a reply to forum topic What I Learned Starting a Tire Insert Company

8/15/2026 6:30pm
If you want to try them, here is a code you can use for 40% off. Others on the forum feel free to use it as well. "LETSGOMARTIN". Made that code for friends as Martin Maes has been running our Heavyweight insert this season and had them in for his 2x top 10 WC DH finishes. Pretty pumped on that. I'll let others speak on their experience. We're on our 5th iteration and that's what is currently shipping. We've solved some little issues we were having with earlier versions. The bungee was ripping thru the plastic with time and we...
This forum topic has 38 replies.

Ryan Burney Liked a reply to forum topic What I Learned Starting a Tire Insert Company

8/15/2026 6:27pm
V1 had the valve integrated into the rim saver itself so it kinda had to have a valve that came with it. Now that we are on V2 we could sell it without the valves (if you're looking for that let me know I can arrange that). Honestly, the more sku's we add the more time it takes to manage the business with very little return on that time. Let's look at this scenario through the 80/20 rule. Though some people may want no valves or custom colored valves, the return on that effort is probably not worth it and...
This forum topic has 38 replies.

sspomer Liked a reply to forum topic The Bikeconomics (Mega)Thread

8/14/2026 7:33am
we tested the reaper powerplay 24. it was a hoot for my boys, but didn't quite hold up under grom huckage for very long. it also made them pretty salty at having to pedal a regular bike for a few months after lol https://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/e-bikes/rocky-mountain/reaper-po…
This forum topic has 5523 replies.

jeff.brines Liked a reply to forum topic The Bikeconomics (Mega)Thread

8/14/2026 7:31am
Part of the reason this thread has gone on so long is that we’re not just talking/thinking about what cycling looked like in the rearview mirror but we’re also speculating about what comes next while trying to use the lens of yesteryear to draw a trend line. Of course kids can have fun without motors. They can also have fun without suspension, disc brakes, derailleurs, stryder bikes, BMX bikes, dirt bikes, chairlifts, or half the other stuff we happily buy them. The whole “I had fun without it” isn’t much of an argument against a new product category. My point...
This forum topic has 5523 replies.
I picked up a set of Reserve 30HD AL wheels for the downhill bike last season and have been nothing but impressed. I dented the rim so bad the paint flaked (no insert at the time BTW) but it never came out of true. I still haven't had to touch a spoke with well over 30 park days on them...

Ryan Burney Liked a reply to forum topic The best lightweight tyre insert for protecting your rim?

8/14/2026 6:47am
If you guys ever see a tire insert that needs to be made but doesn't exist, let us know. Happy to prototype it and share learnings here. Could do it live on here to see what we learn as well. We are making a custom insert for a team for next season, will see how it goes!
This forum topic has 25 replies.

sspomer Liked a reply to forum topic E-bike talk: not tech rumor derailment

8/13/2026 8:54am
This forum topic has 1769 replies.
I will preface everything I am about to say by mentioning that I work for a wheel company, and as such I have an unusual capability to replace wheels. I am very very lucky to be where I am and as such this can be taken with a grain of salt. With that being said... Inserts for alloy rims are a tough sell for me. I am not an exceptional rider, nor am I particularly heavy rider(165lbs with kit), and I have destroyed an aluminum rim despite running a heavy Cushcore insert. Somewhere on this website there is an excellent...
This forum topic has 25 replies.

jeff.brines Liked a reply to forum topic The best lightweight tyre insert for protecting your rim?

8/13/2026 8:48am
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 forum topic has 25 replies.
I have to give Maxxis props on this, I normally go through 2 rears a season and I feel like this might actually make it! at 200lb I'm not the easiest on rear tires either.
This forum topic has 39 replies.
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 XC 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.

mike_dee Liked a reply to forum topic 2027 Team Rumors

8/11/2026 6:36am
Jack Moir selling his Frameworks, upcoming frame sponsor?
This forum topic has 403 replies.

TEAMROBOT Liked a reply to forum topic Oak Levers vs Freedom Coast Levers

8/10/2026 6:58am
Anybody here tried the MRP Dime levers yet? I've got a set I'm testing on my Maven Base brakes right now (and I'm reserving judgement good or bad until I get more miles on them), but I'm curious if anyone else has tried them. Yes, they're obviously stiffer than the stock levers, which is nice, but my first impression was how WIDE the "contact patch" is on the brake lever under my braking finger. It feels like it's as wide as my middle phalanx is long. I measured it at 18mm, which feels like a lot. I need to upload...
This forum topic has 12 replies.

Monty797@gmail.com Liked a reply to forum topic Oak Levers vs Freedom Coast Levers

8/10/2026 6:58am
Hey all! I thought I would toss our hat into this discussion as well. My wife and I own Hexagon Components, a small company in the New England area, we design 3D printed Titanium levers for SRAM, Shimano, TRP and Magura (coming very soon!). We've had phenomenal feedback on our levers, and have some really cool future products coming in the very near future. You can find our press release here on Vital as well as a ton of updated images and reviews on our website! We're doing a ton of events all over the east coast this summer, if...
This forum topic has 12 replies.

DServy Liked a reply to forum topic Oak Levers vs Freedom Coast Levers

8/10/2026 6:57am
I'm actually annoyed with two things in my life: How much I like Mavens How much I like Freedom coast levers vs stock. These two annoyances means I have 3 sets of mavens with their levers.
This forum topic has 12 replies.

AndehM Liked a reply to forum topic Help a clip pedal noob pick out the right clip pedals

8/6/2026 7:52pm
Thanks for the tips here. I got a ride in yesterday on the HT X3s. Was super nervous at first, constantly unclipping on the climb to reassure myself that I could. First descent was super slow and cautious but I focused on the "it's still riding your bike" part it got easier. Second lap I picked an easier trail and continued to build confidence. Third I went back up to something with more steep tech and did fine since I focused on the riding part rather than my feet. I still have a hard time seeing that I'll prefer this...
This forum topic has 30 replies.

aprosise Liked a reply to forum topic Are downhill bikes worth it if you're not racing?

8/6/2026 7:12am
Just buy a DH bike with steep seat tube angle and run a dropper post and full drivetrain. Then you have the best of both worlds! Frameworks for the win. And for those complaining it ruins drivetrains, this XX group (minus chain replacements) has been running strong since Jan. 2023.
This forum topic has 44 replies.

Ob917 Liked a reply to forum topic Are downhill bikes worth it if you're not racing?

8/6/2026 7:11am
At one time I had those kinds of thoughts. Then I got a DH bike. Never had those thoughts since then.
This forum topic has 44 replies.

Evwan Liked a reply to forum topic Are downhill bikes worth it if you're not racing?

8/6/2026 7:10am
1000x yes, buy the DH bike. An enduro bike doesn’t hold a candle to a DH bike for park days. Life is short. Buy the DH bike.
This forum topic has 44 replies.
My wife just recently converted to clips. She tried clipped with a cheap pair of specialized shoes and my old saint pedals. She struggled a little with the pedals but decided to commit. I picked her up some five10 trailcross shoes with multi-release cleats and oneup pedals (she requested them exclusively because they were purple 🙄). Suprisinly she loved the...