FarHorizon

I bought a set of Velocity VeloPlugs. These are plastic plugs that fit into the spoke-nipple holes in rims. With the plugs in place (and at a fraction of the weight of a rim strip), your tube should be safe.

My problem is, the plugs don't stay put! Although they are supposed to "snap-into" the nipple holes, the movement of installing the tire and tube displace an average of two or three plugs from their holes per tire mount. When the tube is fully inflated, it quickly goes flat from protrusion into the unplugged holes.

I've thought of "tacking" the plugs in place with a drop of model airplane cement. Any other good ideas?

Thanks!

jhota

how heavy is a rim strip?

legalize_it

velox is about 16g

rogaine

I had the same problem with Mavic MA3s. Sticking with glue seemed too much hassle, I ran electricians tape over em, then removed it next time I had the tyre off. The plugs had conformed nicely, presume from pressure/heat.

WheresWaldo

Actually Velocity suggest that you take some of the prongs and bend them slightly outward. This will help them stay in place on rims where holes are slightly bigger than 8.5mm diameter

rmfnla

If you want to glue them use "GOOP". It's Si based; doesn't react to anything (model cement may "attack" the plastic plugs) and it peels off cleanly.

I've thought about trying to use those plugs (and GOOP) to make a standard rim tubeless once the tires are available; obviously I have too much time on my hands...

FarHorizon

Thanks for the replies & suggestions. Since my wheels are the anthesis of "light-weight" anyway, I just went ahead & installed Velox rim strips instead.

genericbikedude

I've always thought that the plugs were a good idea--not because of the weight, but because they are re-usable and can't get all bunched up. Do you think that it is weight weenieness that makes them so fall-out prone?

legalize_it

saving weight on wheels is no joke, especially when its that far from the hub.

zonatandem

Veloplugs will fit in an 8mm webhole. If not, as suggested, the 4 small prongs can be bent to make a snugger fit. Or, use a small patch of clear packing tape/duct tape/cellophane over the plug.
An added benefit of using Veloplugs is that it is easier to install/remove tire as it takes less space than rim tape.
Was able to remove/install tube without using any kind of tire tool on a Velocity rim with a Maxxis Detonator folding tire. Sweet!

genericbikedude

that's odd, I think its hysterical

legalize_it

i dont think you understand. its NO JOKE to save weight on wheels.

genericbikedude

capital letters? alright, I believe you now.

the weight of my tuffies is far from the hub. and that's where its at, dude...

LóFarkas

I can't imagine a series of plugs being lighter than a rim strip... How much do they weigh?

FarHorizon

On my postal scale (admittedly non-accurate at such low weights), 36 VeloPlugs weigh 0.1 oz.

Ed Holland

You could hold them in place with a layer of tape over the top... no, wait..

jhota

so, around 3 grams versus 32 (assuming legalize_it's 16 grams was for one strip). less than half of one percent difference in weight on a 14 pound bike. since i don't have even a 14 pound bike (far from it), i'm not expending the effort or cash. but those who want to, more power to you.

juicemouse

I bought them for their convenience and reuseability, not their weight savings. Sometimes products that are marketed towards racers serve recreational cyclists too (for a completely different reason, in this case).

rmfnla

VERY funny!

UCSDbikeAnarchy

Reducing weight on the wheels is different than a lighter frame or seat. A very small reduction in weight on the wheels can make a huge difference. I don't know the exact physics, but it has to do with rotational internita.

Of its easier to start off my droping some weight in the tires, but super light race tires, but those don't wear very well.

cascade168

+1

For the weight weenies these VeloPlugs really do make a substantial difference. There are a lot of people that use alloy nipples rather than brass for this exact reason.

These clearly will make any wheel perform better.

I have one set of wheels with them (Velocity Aerohead rims) and I think they are great. If I were to have a problem with them being loose, I'd just glob a little RTV on them. I'm sure that would work just fine.

jhota

i understand the effect rotational weight has on performance - i've been racing cars for a decade or so. but i just can't see that it would be much if any real difference for the non-pro cyclist.

in other words, i think the performance difference is psychosomatic. "i bought this so my bike would ride/perform better, so it must ride/perform better." i see it all the time with performance car parts.

i'm not saying anybody that wants them shouldn't buy them; go ahead. i just don't think anyone should rationally expect some major performance improvement. it's 0.07 lbs of weight difference. per set. 0.035 lbs per wheel.

juicemouse's convenience and reuseability arguement makes a lot more sense to me, really. they should last damn near forever compared to rim tape.

zonatandem

One ounce of weight off the wheels is like taking 4 ounces off the frame.

seely

The Velocity plugs are great... they work best in Velocity road rims, we've discovered, and I think all of us run them on our bikes currently. It made a substantial difference on my Spartacus wheelset, primarily because its a low spoke count wheel, so I went from having a full roll of rim tape to having 20 plastic plugs, big difference! Noticeable? Maybe. Combine these with an ultralite tube and a light folding raceday tire, and you have just shaved significant weight off any wheelset, and a definate noticeable difference.

The reusability factor isn't all that great, as once you pop them out they do fit more loosely in the rim, and the plastic does fatigue from repeated installation/removal. Nice thing is, unlike rim tape, you never need to replace them, and they make a Vittoria tyre ALMOST possible to install.