RhinoDillos Are the Best Tire Liners By Every Measure You Can Imagine - Interbike 2014

Stop more flats, easier to install, don't cause flats - No other brand can claim these advantages!

Clean Motion is like the Gallup of the bicycle industry. We are on the phone year round polling bicycle retailers all over the United States to determine how they feel about various products that we carry, but also to inquire about other potential products. From these conversations we make decisions about how to improve our existing items, and determine the possible needs we can fill in the future through the invention of new, cool gear.

A perfect example of this process can be seen in the RhinoDillos tire liner changes introduced earlier this year. Tire liners have been on the market for over 30 years. When we introduced the RhinoDillos line in 2012, it was the first major improvement in the category in the new millennium. Dealers and consumers alike were shocked to see how much better RhinoDillos were at stopping flats. Since the cost was the same or less than the less effective competition, many retailers immediately switched to RhinoDillos.

However, through our phone calling, we learned that dealers had other issues with tire liners. Basically:

1. Tire liners sometimes caused flats because of sharp edges on the end of the liner.
2. Tire liners were hard to install because they came tightly rolled, and the liner wanted to hold that shape.
3. The category wasn't getting enough attention to create consumer demand

If those three issues could be addressed, the product would basically be perfect. How hard could it be to come up with a packaging solution that would allow for the product to arrive uncoiled or loosely coiled, so that it would be easier to install. Not hard at all. But our designers were able to accomplish the new packaging in a way that took up no additional display space, looked great, and provided more exposure to the consumer of the selling points. Almost a year later the other brands continue to roll their product tight.

Time to tackle the sharp end issue. Tire liners are made of urethane. In order for the urethane to stop sharp object from penetrating to the tube, the material needs to have a substantial surface hardness. That surface hardness is great for stopping thorns, but is abrasive, too. Solution, cover the end with a much softer material to protect the tube. We chose silicone. After months of testing various ways to attach the silicone to the urethane, we successfully introduced "Soft Tips" to the bicycle industry in the Spring of 2014.

Now, there is an old saying that "You can't even sell pure gold for $20 a ounce if no one knows you are offering such a deal." The competitor tire liner companies had done absolutely nothing for a generation to advertise the category. Clean Motion wants the entire world to know that there really is an easy, light weight, proven method for stopping over 95% of puncture flats. Therefore we have been advertising RhinoDillos through local and regional print advertising.

Cyclists - There are independent bicycle dealers in virtually every city that carry RhinoDillos tire liners. We have a dealer locator here. If your favorite dealer doesn't carry RhinoDillos, you might want to send him an email with a link to this post, or print it out and take it to him.

Bicycle Retailers - While we at Clean Motion understand the value of a brand name, we believe that leading brands need to keep up on technology, packaging, and marketing, or they no longer deserve to be the leading brand. RhinoDillos tire liners are clearly the leader in every aspect, and also available from major distributors including KHS, J & B, Wilson, Olympic, Down East, and Hans Johnson.  See us in booth 13159 at Interbike 2014.

Interbike New Products - Totally New Concept in Wide Mouth Wedge Bags - The Pelikan

 Everything about this wedge bag has changed except the wide mouth and wedge shape

We showed those who dropped by our booth at the 2013 Interbike Show this revolutionary new bag.  It was a 3D prototype that was so fragile we had to ask that no one actually handle the product. Even with those restrictions the verdict was clear. If you make it, we will buy it.

Making something in a completely new way takes a bit more time. In fact, as this post is being written on 8/15/2014, the final production of the Pelikan SMS™ has just begun. The first shipment should leave the factory just prior to Interbike 2014. When bike shop personnel visit us this year at booth 13159, they will be able to touch the production bag, examine the new exoskeleton, evaluate the new silicon strap mounting system, test out the way it fits up tight under the seat, and be impressed that it won't come loose even over a rugged trail.

During the year as we talked to dealers all over the US, we asked this question: "Do you have issues with Velcro straps on seat bags?" The overwhelming response was yes. The concerns centered on the straps getting dirty, wearing out, loosing effectiveness in mud and wet condition, and creating snags in Lycra garments. By using Silicone straps we solve all three of those issues.

Many said that you liked buckle systems better than Velcro, but that the buckles break, and the straps wear out. Once again, the Silicone system takes care of both of these issues.

We needed a rigid surface on the Pelikan SMS™ where the Silicone could attach that would be provide an easy way to attach the straps, and to remove the straps when taking the bag off the bike. This rigid platform would then keep the bag in place under any conceivable vibration or bumps. Our designers conceived of a solid exoskeleton that would be riveted to the bag. The exoskeleton has button type receptors for the silicone to slip over. Fast, easy, foolproof, and therefore, and elegant solution.

The picture above gives you a pretty good idea of how the Pelikan SMS™ looks and works, but you'll really want to see it to understand just how outside-the-box this product really is.

Now, you'd expect all the features and benefits, extra material, and labor to drive the price point way up. But as you may have noticed with all Clean Motion products, we have found supply line advantages that help us keep our product prices very competitive while offering higher quality and more features. That is the case with the new Pelikan SMS™ Wide Mouth Wedge Bag. MSRP is just $27.95 with full 50%+ margins depending on quantities.

Cyclists - If you are unable to find this product in your local retail store after October 1, please send us an email at info@skyebicyclesupply.com, let us know where you are located, and we will help put you in touch with a dealer in your area. You can also tell your favorite dealer to contact one of the distributors below to place an order


Bicycle Retailers - Our favorite distributors should all be on board with the Pelikan SMS™ by Interbike. You can place your order with us, but please indicate which distributor you would like the order to be billed through.