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UPDATED end of October 2013: Rimblades have updated their product to 8mm adhesive, rather than current 6mm adhesive, and also the compound has changed so its harder and more easy to clean. Rimblades sending me a set through to try. Update bottom of this post.
Have had these RIMBLADES fitted to my Taruma after market wheels which are on my THP virtually all the time at the moment
Also I have the competition "Alloygators" fitted to my Bellones and have tried those rim protectors for a few months too.
So thought I would post my opinion on both sets, as a help to others trying to avoid the dreaded "kerbing" of wheels. (And kerbing doesnt happen just with incorrect parking- but also avoiding obstacles etc)
RIMBLADES
Putting on- Its easier with the wheel off, although they are advertised as easily fitted withiout removal of wheel. Just all that "Knee in tarmac or mud" things I wouldnt like. Just got to make sure the wheel rim is as clean as possible. The adhesive will cure better and quicker in room temperature. 90% dry after 24 hours- 100% in 7 days (Advised not to go above 60mph) They are dead easy to fit. Basically- cut to length and stick on, after a good clean of the wheel rim with the wipes provided. Even easier to apply now, as the rim plastic comes with adhesive already applied. Before that when u had to apply the adhesive tape yourself, you could get air bubbles which then meant it wasnt properly stuck to the rim, and bowed out a little, and when nudged would come away easier than if fitted flush. Make sure you get the newer version!
Silver Rimblades fitted
My Rimblades work pretty well. Having just been put in the position of having to replace 2 of them on wheels, due to having to get out of the way of a fast oncoming car on a narrow country road- both wheels were protected and the protectors were ripped off by the kerbing. If only part of the Rimblade is damaged, then only that part of the protector is knackered, although its advertised you can just replace the damaged bit. In reality I tried, but that extra bit came off at high speed. probably because the cleaning of the rime wasnt effective. But it doesnt look right with cuts every 20cms.
ALLOYGATORS
These HAVE to be fitted with the wheel off in my opinion. You have to deflate the tyre (Not so with Rimblades) and after having placed 8 or so metal clips and glued them on place on the plastic protector, you then whack them into the wheel rim, and it takes some doing to get it right. You have to have a big plastic mallet for these, and connecting the 2 ends to together on the wheel is not easy.
My Alloygators are harder to fit, but are more robust. You can whack them on a kerb a few times without dislodging them, and they can be ruffed up more than the Rimblades. They can take a few whacks on the kerb, but once dislodged the whole rim protector comes away (As mine did on a Dyno run) and you have to replace the whole wheel protector
Silver alloygators fitted, you can just see they protrude a 3 mill os so more than Rimblades
Scuff marks at the top of the wheel, and join by skull cap at bottom
Rimblades are about half the price of Alloygators
**Having taken an alloygator off a Bellone, after it having been on almost 2 years, the edge is pitted and dirty, it seems the surface edging detiorated. I am not saying it is the Alloygators, but they do seem to retain water behind the fitment.
Interesting to see a disclaimer on their FAQ on the website, when I have emails to say thay are suited to Bellones
Hope this post helps- feel free to ask anything
Update October 2013. The new Rimblades come with different cleaning wipes (Manufacturer changed) and also different primer. The primer is now in the form of a cotton wool stick, where you crush in the centre, releasing fluid which soaks the cotton stick, which is then applied to the cleaned wheel rim. If you don't have the Cotton sticks then the RIMBLADES ARE OUT OF DATE and the adhesive may well not work. Get a refund.
The compound if the Rimblade seems much tougher and sticks quite well to the rim. Will update after a couple months how they go
Update 2014: They are now back to cleaner and primer "wipes" . They seem fine. Had about 5 or 6 sets and the latest seem good adhesion.
CBLUE
Have had these RIMBLADES fitted to my Taruma after market wheels which are on my THP virtually all the time at the moment
Also I have the competition "Alloygators" fitted to my Bellones and have tried those rim protectors for a few months too.
So thought I would post my opinion on both sets, as a help to others trying to avoid the dreaded "kerbing" of wheels. (And kerbing doesnt happen just with incorrect parking- but also avoiding obstacles etc)
RIMBLADES
Putting on- Its easier with the wheel off, although they are advertised as easily fitted withiout removal of wheel. Just all that "Knee in tarmac or mud" things I wouldnt like. Just got to make sure the wheel rim is as clean as possible. The adhesive will cure better and quicker in room temperature. 90% dry after 24 hours- 100% in 7 days (Advised not to go above 60mph) They are dead easy to fit. Basically- cut to length and stick on, after a good clean of the wheel rim with the wipes provided. Even easier to apply now, as the rim plastic comes with adhesive already applied. Before that when u had to apply the adhesive tape yourself, you could get air bubbles which then meant it wasnt properly stuck to the rim, and bowed out a little, and when nudged would come away easier than if fitted flush. Make sure you get the newer version!
Silver Rimblades fitted
My Rimblades work pretty well. Having just been put in the position of having to replace 2 of them on wheels, due to having to get out of the way of a fast oncoming car on a narrow country road- both wheels were protected and the protectors were ripped off by the kerbing. If only part of the Rimblade is damaged, then only that part of the protector is knackered, although its advertised you can just replace the damaged bit. In reality I tried, but that extra bit came off at high speed. probably because the cleaning of the rime wasnt effective. But it doesnt look right with cuts every 20cms.
ALLOYGATORS
These HAVE to be fitted with the wheel off in my opinion. You have to deflate the tyre (Not so with Rimblades) and after having placed 8 or so metal clips and glued them on place on the plastic protector, you then whack them into the wheel rim, and it takes some doing to get it right. You have to have a big plastic mallet for these, and connecting the 2 ends to together on the wheel is not easy.
My Alloygators are harder to fit, but are more robust. You can whack them on a kerb a few times without dislodging them, and they can be ruffed up more than the Rimblades. They can take a few whacks on the kerb, but once dislodged the whole rim protector comes away (As mine did on a Dyno run) and you have to replace the whole wheel protector
Silver alloygators fitted, you can just see they protrude a 3 mill os so more than Rimblades
Scuff marks at the top of the wheel, and join by skull cap at bottom
Rimblades are about half the price of Alloygators
**Having taken an alloygator off a Bellone, after it having been on almost 2 years, the edge is pitted and dirty, it seems the surface edging detiorated. I am not saying it is the Alloygators, but they do seem to retain water behind the fitment.
Interesting to see a disclaimer on their FAQ on the website, when I have emails to say thay are suited to Bellones
Hope this post helps- feel free to ask anything
Update October 2013. The new Rimblades come with different cleaning wipes (Manufacturer changed) and also different primer. The primer is now in the form of a cotton wool stick, where you crush in the centre, releasing fluid which soaks the cotton stick, which is then applied to the cleaned wheel rim. If you don't have the Cotton sticks then the RIMBLADES ARE OUT OF DATE and the adhesive may well not work. Get a refund.
The compound if the Rimblade seems much tougher and sticks quite well to the rim. Will update after a couple months how they go
Update 2014: They are now back to cleaner and primer "wipes" . They seem fine. Had about 5 or 6 sets and the latest seem good adhesion.
CBLUE
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