MacRetro chat and rides thread

[old_coyote_pedaller]

My Transmitter has 15mm and 12mm thru-axles that I thought the same as you, I'd miss QRs, but not at all.
I take it you carry a wee tool and spares kit with tube, multi-tool etc? The wee el cheepo multi-tool I have has an 8mm adaptor for one of the smaller Allen keys. This has been perfect for the number of times I need to remove wheel while out on a ride.
This one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26491789...VwdGHlac8dspCcWOEbxXQu6Myp|tkp:Bk9SR8jaiomEYQ
El cheepo so not workshop quality but the thru-axles being aluminium and not torqued up mega tight so they're hardly going to wear out the 8mm.

 

[jimo746]

Get yourselves ready for some new trails in Aberdeenshire, looks like it should be a good one

https://fb.watch/gKnbboHw0m/

 

[clubby]

Opening in time for the Macretro Aberdeenshire weekender.

 

[velomaniac]

Now located in northern Argyle
Unfortunately not likely to be involved in any weekend mountain biking adventures due to new temporary Tesco job has me working all weekends for a bit
So see you lot next year sometime

 

[clubby]

Great news Velo.

 

[jimo746]

Great news Velo.

Great news you won't see Velo till next year?

Oh I see .... Yes great news on the job Velo

 

[jimo746]

Anyone on here use a rim insert? Eg, Cushcore, Rimpact, Vittoria Airliner?
The Rimpact looks good and a reasonable price to me, just wondering if anyone had personal experience, any downsides etc?

 

[velomaniac]

Think DaveDH has used some in past or presently.

 

[clubby]

Rimpact Pro on my enduro wheels and the ebike.
Really good rim protection and allow lower pressure while still keeping the tyre wall stable. Also give a really damped feel. Difficult to explain but the wheels feel really quiet.
Downsides. A bugger to fit. There is a technique but takes a couple of frustrating attempts to figure it out. Also can’t imagine getting them off at the side of a trail if you do manage to puncture. The damping I mention can also be tiring on very rocky trails. It’s like the rocks are constantly coming through to the insert and passing the shock through the wheel instead of air volume. It feels more controlled than to ride and you don’t snakebite but can also be fatiguing over a long trail. That’s the reason I don’t use them on my light trail wheels.

Don’t think it’s as much of an issue with the non pro version, but they don’t provide as much protection or tyre support. Really depends on why you want to run inserts. If it’s purely a bit of rim protection on xc trails the original version would be fine. For proper enduro stuff the pro is worth it.

 

[jimo746]

Cheers Clubby, yeah it's for rim protection, some of the local trails eg Pitfichie are quite rocky & I've had a few dinged rims from (I guess) using too low tyre pressure (or just crap riding style ), so I'd like something to help safeguard against that, as it can get expensive repairing/replacing wheels!
I've tried slightly higher tyre pressure but it's definitely not optimal for those types of trails.