While changing the rear tyre on my “mongrel” Moulton APB. I put in Velocity Veloplugs.
I’d bought these ages ago when I saw them mentioned somewhere on the internet.
So far all is going well. I’ve discussed these Veloplugs a bit in a couple of bicycle email discussion lists and I’ve seen one negative experience:
After some months several started to collapse into the rim box exposing the edge of the holes which led to crescent shape cuts in the tube. The rim is a Velocity Aero and the pressure used about 105 to 110psi. I can’t tell you the exact diameter of the nipple access holes as the wheels are in use but if they don’t work on Velocity rims there may not be much hope. They appeared to be a good fit when I put them in but after a while they became slacker and they are ever so difficult to see when they fall out during roadside tube changes – spares should be carried. It looks to me like they are an interesting idea but the plastic isn’t up road tyre pressure.
In my case the rims are Sun CR18 and I think that with these the bottom of the plugs is close to the top of the nipples (sounds obscene!) and so I wonder if that arrangement will prevent the plugs from collapsing into the rim.
I’m just going to keep the plugs on one rim for quite a while and see if there are any problem. I’m going to stick with rim tape on other rims until I feel confident about the plugs.
I will update the blog as this thrilling tale unfolds…
20 October 2008 update here