Here's Why Mountain Bike Tire Inserts Are Amazing
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- čas přidán 4. 03. 2018
- What I like and dislike about the CushCore MTB tire insert. Cushcore is a foam tire insert that prevents flat tires. While it does offer flat tire protection it also acts an inner tire suspension system. Foam tire inserts are a new mountain bike product category, so I really wanted to take my time and get a good feel for how this tire insert behaved on the trail and share tricks on how to install cushcore on your bike.
Tire Levers ▶︎ amzn.to/2H7MGn7
Set up tips:
When installing the tire push the bead into the well of the rim. Repeat that several times, because there's probably more slack to get out. Also, I work my way from the opposite side of the valve towards the valve. That because the valve will take up unnecessary slack. It's helpful to have something to set the wheel on when doing this. I found that an old car tire works wonder but isn't 100% necessary.
Use wider rim tape. When pushing the bead into the center of the well, it likes to catch the rim tape. This will damage the rim tape over time, but it will also make it harder to work out extra slack from the tire to install. I ended up using 32mm rim tape on my wheel that measure 31mm internally. With wider rim tape, when you install the tire, it should already be on the rim tape and won't have a lip to catch on.
Longer Valves. When I initially got Cushcore the valves where not long enough for my rims. I was able to use the stock valves but could not check my tire pressure amongst other things. Sometime this winter they released longer ones that made it possible for me to gauge my tire pressure as well as inflate the tire easier.
Uninstalling
You will need to break the bead again. This is where wider rim tape helped out quite a bit. Again, go over the tire multiple times to work out all the slack. Also, I broke down and finally bought metal tire levers (with a rubber coating). I've never had an issue uninstalling even the hardest of tires with standard plastic levers and I was able to get the insert remove time to time with plastic levers. However, the park tool levers made my life much easier.
On the trail
For east coast riding, I like to run the lowest tire pressure I can without damaging my rim, flatting, or rolling my tire. This helps me reduce arm pump and gives me a little more comfort while on the trail I found that I was able to go down ~3-5 psi when riding aggressively and up to ~10psi if I just wanted to chill. Side note: I rode with 9spi just to prove a point, it's not what I would actually run on a regular basis, normally I run 22-24 psi.
The biggest benefit of cushcore is that I could blast through everything without a worry. i wasn't worried about sniper rocks, or having to slow down and pick my line carefully. I could focus on the ride. When I went back to even a downhill casing tire, I had to either run a PSI that was a bit harder than I would like to avoid pinch flatting, or running a comfortable psi and having to be careful. Also, the insert really help dampen harsh vibrations of the trail.
The verdict
I don't think this product is for most people. It has a bit of learning curve to install, and the benefits will be most noticeable for people who like to ride really aggressively. Huck norris would be a good alternative for people who just don't want to flat and don't want to deal with the install. That being said I think there's plenty of refinements to be made in this category of product. Personally I will be continuing to run Cushcore on any bike I plan to ride aggressively. - Jak na to + styl
Phil. You're giving us a heart attack! ;) We're proud our TR38 can handle a Phil Thrashing
Haha i wasn't worried, these things are pretty bomb proof!
Phil and Seth's Bike Hack: Pool Noodle hack vs Cushcore blind test.
Y S @sethbikehack do it
@@Guoenyi I actually just did it and it totally works
@@willbaker9087 were you blindfolded tho
@@Guoenyi no sir
Awesome overview! I feel like with a set of Cushcore/Huck Norris' and a Dynaplug kit you're pretty much set for anything the trail can throw at you. Thanks for putting this vid together man!
The Loam Ranger what happens when you tear a sidewall?
Nice! I love how your videos are detail orientated, from the little things from installation to riding and also literally showing us how it saved the tire at 9PSI bombing through the rock garden. I am not as aggressive yet but hopefully I Will be needing one pretty soon!
Great video and perfect explanation of something a lot of people have heard of but don't always know much about. This is what slo-mo was made for, great use of it for the right reasons. Thanks as always.
Kushcore
Blazeit
"the practice of hiding marijuana in mountain bike tiers"
Will this stop your tire folding *cough cough Seth cough
Ha
Yes to an extent. I would still recommend inflating the tire much harder any time you dirt jump.
lol true
i like how you ignored the bit at the end but still mentioned it while still ignoring it making me wonder if you took notice or whether it was a coincidence that you mentioned dirt jumps
Good to see you back buddy, always love watching you ride! 🤘🏻
Great edit Phil.. really appreciate the detailed camera work and honest review
Love the fact that you are back to making vids, Phil! Take care, bud!
Sweet thank you for the review. I got my cushcores and did exactly what you said and it works wonders. When I went for rides with Eric from BKXC and Eric/ Yukon from PCpov I loved how it handles corners and absorbs the jumps. Your video gave me that push to get them. Well worth it and video well done thank you phil
Exactly what I wanted to know. Also the part where you said that you only use it on your back tire gave me an amazing peace of mind since I also want to install it on my DH bike... Thank you soooo much for this!!! If you ever want to rip it in Puerto Rico hit me up... Cheers and Thanks again!!!
Would you know if those big ol mountains i see in the distance in pr are traversable by bike (el yunque i think it is). I see theres a bike park...but it has no elevation. Gotta be some forest paths and downhill sections? Trails along the peak? Any help appreciated.
Got my first ride in at Mammoth with the Cush Core and I’m totally impressed. Well worth the $$$ and think it’s a great upgrade. It made my enduro bike feel like a DH bike on the gnar and the traction you get is quite noticeable and confidence inspiring on the dry, loose and rocky which is what California is all about.
Lmao i thought cushcore was a weed metal genre
Lol me too
Nice
Duuuuude🤘
it is now
Wouldn’t that be KushCore?
Skills With Phil really enjoying seeing your videos again mate, great stuff.
Awesome video ! - One extra tip for cushcore - Set one end of the tire with really tight zip tie or two as a "3rd hand" while you are getting the hang of wedging it all on.
Great edit, and I'm sold on cushcore. Thanks for the info!
Soo happy to see some new vids. Missed ya Phil.
Heck yeah! I was just thinking how much I miss your videos!
Just installed on the back of my Roscoe 8 with a 3.0 tire. Done about four trips out with it. LOVE IT. It actually does all it claims. Primarily, it just lets you go down to the softest feel you are comfortable with, with no concerns. That’s the real advantage. I had my tires soft at times in the past but then I was worried about them.
This video convinced me to spend $76 on a piece of foam, which still took me about 6 months to convince myself of. Totally, totally worth it.
If you want your mid fat hard tail to basically have a rear suspension, this pretty well achieve that. Of course you don’t have the extensive travel, but man do you have traction, And you don’t feel anything on little bumps.
Phil, cush core is such a neat concept, thanks for sharing dude!
Glad you're back dude!
Hey Phil, good on you man and thanks for the review. I was kind of looking in to them and I will for sure buy one for my rearwheel now!
great editing Phil! love your videos!
Good to see a video from you dude 😁 very informative.
Great video Phil. And I totally agree that Cushcore is a hell of an upgrade
Nice to see a follow up Phil from the hassle and tough install of cush core.
Good to see you back man
Dude. Video quality is epic. Super interesting. Great topic. Very informative.
Great review of this product! I called CushCore to check on the availability of product for plus size tires. The staff at CushCore were very friendly and helpful, they told me they are releasing CushCore for plus size tires (2.8 and 3.0) next month.
Phil thanks for revisiting this. I was wondering what happened to those. Lol. Those trails are narly and you flew right thru them impressive. Thanks for the vid
After seeing your videos I got the Cushcore recently sent to me here in Iceland. Still have to insert them though, looking forward to that bit. I will definately use your tips! :) Love your channel by the way!
Phil you are my favorite CZcams and i have been waiting for you all your videos
thank you for the review glade to see you back
been a while Phil! probably my favourite MTB youtuber, keep it up brother!
flying through rock gardens with no knee pads, amazing your not sponsored with the skill level you have
Cushcore has been working for me as well!!!
on my hardtail with cushcore i was trying to get more grip and trying lower pressures. at the end of the ride i was shocked to find i had been riding 10 psi in the back and 15 on the front. i even landed really flat and hard when jumping off a wall ride but rims remained perfectly straight. obviously i went too low but its awesome how stable the tires still felt.
great explain and detail, BTW welcome back to the channel.
Nice one Phil, thanks for that review on the Cushcore. It's something that I have been looking to add to my rear wheel. After watching this I think I will!
Bear Biking UK i
those shots were awesome! nice video
Thanks for this video, I was able to install front and rear both in under 45 minutes, and I’m a total noob!
This is the first video of yours I've watched, and I had to do a double take, I realized you're the dude who used to race the weird Mongoose DH bike back in the Diablo days! So dope that you have this channel!
Dude, you have a good memory!!!
You've convinced me! Cushcore it is!
Glad to see a new video!
great vid. i dig the actual vid of compression. thanx!
i`ve been waiting for this review since you said that you are going to make one :D
Great video Phil! I've been considering cushcore. I chatted with them at their booth in Sedona and learned a lot. I'm really curious to try them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
For the way you ride, I can't imagine you riding without them eithee.
I was an early adopter of Cush Core and can't imagine going back. I've found that I like the Core more in the front, but I'm hard on front wheels.
This is looking really professional 👍🏻
Great and very informative review, I'll be ordering a set, thank you 👍
Gonna have to try CushCore.
Good work man! I think you have nailed your creativity on CZcams! Keep theses coming!
I stop paying attention for a few months and another cool thing comes along. I hear a world class pro has been running these for the last two years, unconfiirmed. Also, that 9psi is insane!
Phil has some really great video editing.
I run it too and love it. Indeed steel tire levers are a must! I run it front and back though as I feel cornering is better because it supports the tire.
Dead on review. Installed CushCore on my new i9 wheels last year too protect them and prevent pinch flats. The other benefits make the CC the best tire insert on the market. Installing the CC gets easier every time. I did purchase the same tire levers the on my first install because I broke two plastic ones. Great video, good to see you making vids again.
Excellent video. Thanks for the info.
Great review Phil!
Always enjoy the vids Phil! Ever think about making a series on skills vs gear? I thought it was awesome when you where shredding on the budget hard tail.
I've run Cushcore plus for a winter, part of a summer, and just mounted them up for another winter on 27.5x3.0 tires.
I really like how they perform. I can run pressures as low as 8 psi in winter on plus tires, despite weighing about 200 pounds. They totally eliminate tire squirm, even at those low pressures, and absorb roots, rocks, and perhaps most importantly, curbs, like they're nothing.
On the other hand, even your installation video understates the difficult of installing them with my rim and tire combination. I've put them on 3 times now, and removed them twice. As you state, getting the bead into the channel is absolutely essential, and putting them on without that is a fool's errand.
My front rim/tire aren't that bad. I got it on today in about 30 minutes, with minimal swearing. But the rear - my god, it's so bad. I wrestled for several hours to get them on, and finally gave up and used tire levers. The bead in the channel wasn't enough - and it was a particularly stubborn tire and Cushcore as far as fitting the tire in the channel, anyway. I used my favorite Pedro's levers, and like it looked like you did, broke one. But I did eventually get it on. I think it took me over two hours. Admittedly, a total of 2.5 hours is about the same as the second time I installed them, and half the time it took to install them the first time. But it definitely has me thinking about skipping the Cushcores next winter.
Greetings from Bolívia !!!! You inspire me
Just wanted to let u know I added a new dropper post. It came up real quick tho and crushed my pistachios. Awesome video yet again✌️
Ohhhh the best of the best is back
thx man. just installed a set
Awesome video dude!!
Good tips. Hope to see more videos soon!
Thanks for putting in the numbers in bar
Cool Video thanks a lot! I liked the honesty in your review - my experience is pretty much the same . I wish the focus of the cam works better next time
Like the review you did here. Well done!
Great review, just got back from my fave rocky trails and on my new bike the maxxis plus tyre on the rear suffered numerous snakebites, on a tuebless set up. Going to order the kushcore, as not loving flats!
Hucknorris is a great product. Probably a step down but it still gives a comfort of mind in rock gardens and gives stability to the tire when running low tire pressure. Also its 40$ instead of the 150. I have ran it in Wilson Creek and it holds well!
Great camera work....thx for the review
thanks for review
I approve of you line choice through the rock garden ;)
Hehe Hailey's line
The lines where champions are born! 😂
HeY DuDe..... greetings from Scotland another awesome video....great content, very informative....your vids always end up with me with a HUGE smile and wanting to go out and shred!!! Peace out..."ThE GrIm FaNdAnGo" 😉
love your stuff
Saw this in Sedona this weekend...gotta check it out
First one took me an hour to install, second one about 20 mins. Running CushCore on both my Trail and Downhill rigs rear tires only and just order Huck Norris to install in the fronts of both. Should be able to do some comparisons. Thanks for the vid I was really hoping we would get a follow up on this.
i learnt something new today.
thank you phil!
WOO-HOO A NEW VID FROM PHIL!!!!
Great to see a video Phil... Also, I will give those Cushcore's a try... ;-)
My buddy is running them this year front and back, it'll be interesting to see what he thinks about them!!
EXCELLENT!! Like the longer hair...
Hey Phil, another great vid bro! I love your incite. I just purchased some Enve Wheels with the rim strip. I am a heavy guy and am always concerned about my tires and wheels. Would Cuscore work for my rear on this wheel set (M90)? I wanted to have it installed but thought it might be overkill. Would love to know your thoughts.
I wonder if the trick I've used for mounting my own motorcycle tires for the last couple of years would work to help you mounting and dismounting the tire: using around 8 or so zip ties around the tire evenly spaced, cinch the ties around the tire to pinch the tire beads together. Getting the two beads pinched together all around the tire really allows the tire to easily fit into the rims drop center and gives way more slack. I'm thinking it might be possible for you thread the zip ties between the cushcore and the rim and around the tire. For motorcycle street tires, this technique has been a real game changer for both mounting and dismounting my tires to where I hardly need to use my tire levers anymore.
Great video. I wonder if there is a comparable type of foam out there that could be purchased for much cheaper than the cush core and used instead. Like something from a craft store.
Sounds like an awesome Seth Bike Hacks video.
Miss you Phil!
Phil must have some insane patients to put those on! 1.2mm thick Maxxis Freeride tubes......screw tubeless tires!!!!
Appreciate the honest thoughts! I just installed Huck Norris as peace of mind for my carbon wheels... wanted CushCore, but read that the extra rotational weight was probably not worth it for the recreational rider. What trail did you film this at? I’m in southwestern VA and interested to know where you think the best spots to hit in NC are.
miss these vids!
Just ordered mine, so over flats now. Brand new tyre 2 weeks ago. Hole in side wall. Another new tyre today, hole in the beading running like 27psi.
Hey Phil, How long do these things last? I tried pipe insulation a while back as a proof of concept and It was great at preserving my tires and rims but the pipe insulation would only last a couple rides before it was so cut up from rim pinches it was useless and I got tired of replacing it.
I don't mind paying for the CushCore if it holds up for a couple seasons but $160 adds up if it is another consumable like tires.
I have 3 pinch flats running tubeless this year , so am considering one of these insert products. On a side note, do you have any way of repairing a tyre that as a hole right on the bead from pinch flatting, or do you just have to run them with tubes after that?
Double down casing + Cush core in the rear on the hardtail 🤙
Yay, Phil! Good to see you on the channel again. We've missed ya, but we understand your schooling is taking precedence. How's things going for you?
So here's a question - you mention Cushcore might not be a good fit if you're not a mechanic. Would you say this is a better product for FIY bike mechanics? I myself rely a lot on my LBS. Do you suggest that this product might not be a great idea if I have my bike mechanics working on my bike? I also ride on plus tires. Their web site suggests their current design isn't optimized for plus tires, although they'll still work. Just without the full benefits of regular tires. Would you still recommend them knowing that?
Thanks, man! Great video. Good to see you back.
-Brian
I still have tubes (my nobby nics 27.5 x 3.0 that came with the bike dont do well tubeless so I gotta get new tires) and in the last 2 weeks I've had 2 snakebite flats on my back tire. Considering tubeless + cushcore right now.
Well since I am addicted to low pressure and wanted NOBL wheels now I now they can handle a thrashing with cushcore in them!
After riding Schwalbe procore, i'm very interrested by cushcore but how it react to sealent in time ?
This thing just works for me even on low tire pressure. You can bomb this thing downhill w/o worrying getting flats and ding the inner rim. Just a bit too heavy as I am running them both front and rear. Pain in the neck to mount them on too, once you get a hang of it becomes easier.
run a huck norris in the front