ABC TV: New Inventors tonight, must watch for MTBers

[Rik]

If you're like me and have an interest in all things new and creative when it comes to inventions, you'd probably know about ABCs New Inventors (http://abc.net.au/newinventors/) series.
Well, tonight a product will be showcased that we all should be interested in, and hopefully vote for (if it deserves votes, that is)
Grantly Smith from Velocity has come up with the "Sliding Nipple System" tubeless rims, featured on their Zvino (http://www.velocitywheels.com/zvino.htm) wheels, and this will be one of the three new inventions displayed on tonights show. He'll hopefully explain what makes it special and how it works.
From then, the judging panel will vote for a weekly winner out of the 3 inventions, and viewers can vote for a "peoples choice" winner.

If the SNS design is worthy of your praise, make sure you vote for it via SMS, or the web link above. Even though it's already being made by Velocity, any attention it receives will benefit Velocity, and Australian company, and will also help give cycling the extra publicity it deserves.

So... watch tonights show, vote if you feel the desire to do so, and discuss the product here if you wish to as well.

[aday]

I will make the effort to watch it tonight. It sounds like a really good invention and well i will have to see how good it is as of tonight.

[wombat]

Sounds clever, but I'm betting that the panel decides that it's appeal and market is way too narrow to make it a winner tonight.

[j5ive]

Sorry velocity. But its weak as piss.
And its hardly a highly needed development.

An american lad came through testing them on his touring bike, it survived from brisbane to rocky- but I believe he's now on rim number 3 and somewhere near darwin. ;)

[j5ive]

How much on the wrong path was the chick on the panel? It seemed she was under the assumption that he invented tubeless?

The way I see it. The ridges arn't strong enough to hold the nipples without making it super heavy. Even eyeleted and drilled rims crack eventualy- how long can that small surface area hold a nipple?

[LTR]

The way I see it. The ridges arn't strong enough to hold the nipples without making it super heavy. Even eyeleted and drilled rims crack eventualy- how long can that small surface area hold a nipple?
I agree 100%. I dont understand how a little ridge can be stronger/lighter etc than a standard wheel. The tiny surface area on the ridge would go though so much tension, im positive it would break under high stress riding. I dont see how the rim is stronger having no eyelets also? I was under the impression that the holes in a rim didnt effect its strength whatsoever. And weight wise, i see a big disadvantage.

Im not a fan.

[johnny]

Was hoping to see it, went riding instead...... :)

[wtr]

Was hoping to see it, went riding instead...... :)
Yeah, same here.:) First proper park session with the new bike since the old bike got stolen 4 months ago.:o

I'm getting it a bit confused here. The cross section diagram on the velocity site looks like the mavic 823s, so how is the SNS any special to that? And what's wrong with conventional tubeless system anyway? Line the rubber tape against the rim properly and there shouldn't be any problems.

[t]

it's an XC race wheel set, they are not built for freeriding, but i'm guessing that the stainless inserts are bigger than they look in the pictures.

[shan75]

Okay Gentlemen I have been on these wheel for 6 months now on both an XC Duallie and a 5-6" Trail Bike. I must admit the show did very little to explain the technology or its benefits so I will endevour to shed some light.

Firstly these are not DH/Freeride rims a all. The technology can certainly be applied to that type of rim but would pbviously require a larger rim width etc. The SNS system will work fine though. Secondly they are not the lightest rims around but can be built up light depending on your requirements. I have a standard set of 32 spoke on standard Velocit Disc hubs that weigh 1860g. Not the lightest but they are very strong and have very little flex. Please note that I am 6'3" and weigh 95kgs. And having ridden heaps lighter wheels including American Classics, Crossmax SLs and XLs, Cross Rocs, DT Swiss tubeless etc and I love these wheels.

I have found them to be very durable and I have only had to true them once, a couple of weeks after getting them to retension the spoke. The SNS seats the nipple in a cup so regardless of the departure angle the cup always contacts the nipples at multiple points surrounding the nipple. When tensioned highley the rims do not seem to distort arond the nipple seat like I have had some rims do around the drilling. I do feel I can get higher tensions on these that a lot of other wheels I have had. This may seem strange but biut the inserts are super strong. During testing I have seen them apply tension to the sns and a conventional rim and the rim distorted first then the spoke pulled through the hole before the insert showed any sign weakness. I am sure they can fail but I haven't seen it yet.

A draw back though is the current way they go together results in the semi dismantling of the wheel if you have to replace a nipple. I never have had to though as the SNS inserts seem to be incredible strong.

I have only ever had to replace a nipple on one occasion in all my time on bikes and that was due to stupid me using a crapped out spoke wrench and rounding off the nipple. Even if you brake the spoke the nipple isn't going anywhere as it is held firmly by the nipple holder. Most of the time it is only spoke that require replacing. But I am sure at some stage this will happen.

Good points on the rims/wheels.
1. Same rim can be used for 24/28/32/36 hole hubs by simply using differnt spacers and more or less nipple holders. Therefore if you elect to change your hubs to a different drilling you simpley get the new inserts to sace the SNS holders. Not an entire new rim.

2. Rim Spacer strips can be swapped or changed in colour to give custom or different looks to wheels. These can also be printed on for marketing use.

3. Very strong and stiff wheel. Not the lightest but for me being a bigger guy I am very happy with the weight. You can obviously save weight by getting 24 or 28 drilling. Change to lighter spokes or lighter hubs.

4. Locally produced Tubeless rim. You will still require a set of Stans Tubless valves which are available from Velocity. They will work with either standard or UST tyres but I have always run Stans sealant to be certain.

5. Price (sub $600 at full price) Very cheap for this type of wheel.

6. They guys will lace them onto any hub for you or your LBS can do it or you if you are that way inclined. Can be laced onto any hub by the guys at velocity for you.

6. Soon to be coming in a 29er version. I can't weight as I have just ordered a Ventana 29er Single Speed.

[phatr32]

i missed the show, but does anyone have any pics?

thanks

steve