tire inserts

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    • #262695

      Is anyone here using tire inserts like Cush Core or Huck Norris? What is your take on them?

      There are multiple liners out there. I like the idea of protecting my rim and lower pressure for traction and suspension that supposedly tire inserts offer. My skills are not advanced enough that I would normally push my bike/tire to the limit of damaging my rims but I am a bigger guy (220 lbs). I know I could ride higher pressures to protect the rim too. I recently read that tire inserts also have a deadening effect to impact. Another level of shock absorption maybe.

      I have also seen videos about the difficulties of installing these inserts. I have considered trying Cush Core but not sure if it is worth the trouble. Wanted to get feed back from the field if anyone has tried inserts and their thoughts or feelings. I have asked a few shops and no one seems to know much other than they exist. Maybe this more of a pro level or racing component.

      Thoughts/comments?

    • #262705

      Check out tyre invader

    • #262719

      The NukeProof ARD looks pretty good to me. Price is good and looks like it gives a good amount of protection.

    • #262725

      Another big rider here (215 lbs), and a fairly aggressive rider, and on a hardtail. My back wheel hates me.

      I’ve been running Nukeproof ARDs front and back for about a month and a half now, and I think they’re worth the price and weight. They feel very firm in the hand; I can’t really compress them much with my fingers. Installation is more difficult than a tire with no insert, but seems easier than some of the horror stories I’ve heard about Cushcore. The main difficulty is getting an old tire off the rim, since the shape of the insert supports the tire bead quite well. On the trail they seem to damp small chatter a little bit, although a softer insert would likely do more in his regard. I have been able to run lower tire pressures front and back. It’s only a few psi, but it’s enough to make a difference. On hard hits I can sometimes feel the insert bottom out on a rock or root, but it is less harsh than the rim hitting by itself. I just spent a day at my local bike park and my rear tire was really lower than it should have been for some of those trails, and I definitely bottomed out my rim a few times, but I don’t think I dented it at all. They also support the tire bead and sidewalls pretty well, so it would be much harder to burp a tire under hard cornering. One thing to note is that they fit on the rim rather loosely; this makes installation easier, but it allows the insert to rattle against the tire sidewalls a little bit. It isn’t too loud, but it is noticeable.

      Another thing to consider is longevity. I just swapped out my rear tire and the insert seemed pretty much brand new, except for a minor deformation in one spot. I don’t know how they’ll hold up long-term, but I expect them to last a good while. Only time will tell. NSMB did a good article on the pros and cons here.

      And for reference, I’ve had the inserts in the following tires: F: WTB Vigilante 27.5 x 2.5 tough/high grip, e*thirteen LG1+ 27.5 x 2.35.  R: WTB Vigilante 27.5 x 2.5 tough/high grip, Maxxis High Roller II 27.5 x 2.5 WT Double Down 3C Maxxterra. All mounted on Stan’s Flow MK3 wheels (29mm internal width).

    • #262740

      You might want to consider the Tannus Armour foam inserts which are designed to be used with tubes.  They have a pretty cool website you might want to check out.  The Tannus Armour inserts are supposed to work as well as other inserts but you don’t have to mess about with tire sealants.

    • #262742

      I ran a Cushcore insert for my rear wheel for nine months and Huck Norris for nearly a year. I am 220 lb with gear and these were used on custom built (burly) carbon 29er wheels for my Evil Wreckoning. I also run the HN’s on my single speed which has Flow Mk 3 rims. Tires on both bikes are Maxxis DHF/DHR 2.5 & 2.3 respectively.

      First Cushcore. It does what they say it does…more damped ride feel, rim protection, flat prevention. However, this comes at a cost. First, even though I am no ballerina I could definitely notice the increased rolling weight. Second while they do prevent flats/rim damage if you do flat (sidewall tear, valve failure) you are in for a bad time on the trail.  The fastest I ever got one inserted was 20 minutes in a shop with a second person’s assistance. Yes, there are many tips/tricks out there to ease the process, but it is not easy. As far as the improved suspension/damping it was never enough to blow me away and not worth the trade offs. I’d recommend them if you ride in an extremely rocky area ala the Southwest or are racing Enduro/DH at the elite level or up. Otherwise you have to decide if the benefits are worth it.

      Huck Norris. They are easy to set up (same as any tubeless set up), do not add any noticeable weight,  prevent flats/provide rim protection and are inexpensive. No added suspension damping, but as noted above this benefit was negligible IMHO. HNs are my go to now and I have zero flats/rim damage. I run 24/26 PSI front/rear which considering my weight and my anger bear riding style is impressive.

    • #262744

      Head Over Handlebars and Dr Sweets thank-you for input noting types of tires and bikes and riding styles. So much to consider. I also ride a hardtail and have been concerned about my rear wheel and like the idea preventing or lessening tire rollover. It sounds like the dampening effect is there but may not be worth the hassle if that were the primary motivation. Good point about longevity. Cush Core appears to be the most durable but also the biggest bear to insert. Probably let it go for now but may experiment more in the future unless I get further feedback from others who are really sold on them.

    • #262778

      Had Huck Norris and currently running Cush Core. Huck norris are much easier to deal with the install and if you get flat, its easier to deal with on the trail. Running cush core on my main bike now. Install is a pain in arse and if have any issues on the the trail, like a side wall tear, your kinda screwed. That being said I’ve been running my bike hard through heavily rocky trails without an issue with cush core.  Only running CC on the rear.

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