CUSH CORE
Running tire pressures less than 25 PSI in both your tubeless tires will give you great traction on any trail, but you’ll probably find several dents in your rims at the end of the ride. Before the invention of tire inserts, this was always the tradeoff. Either run low PSI, have great traction, and dent your rims, or run high PSI, protect your rims, but slide out in every turn. Tire inserts have turned this dilemma into a thing of the past. Now riders can enjoy proper levels of traction provided by low psi without turning their rear wheel into a piece of scrap metal.
In the world of mountain biking, one company’s name is synonymous with tire inserts, that company is CushCore. CushCore is a tire suspension system. They offer proprietary closed-cell, polyolefin foam inserts for 26, 27.5, and 29 tires anywhere from 2.1 to 2.6 inches in width. They also offer an XC insert for 27.5 and 29 tires anywhere from 1.8 to 2.4 inches in width, along with 27.5+ and 29+ inserts for plus-sized tires ranging from 2.6 to 3.0 inches in width. Coming in at a weight of 140 to 330 grams, they are a relatively light addition to your bike that will save you a lot of money and headaches down the road.
The obvious reason for tire inserts is rim protection, but that is only one of the many benefits that the inserts provide. CushCore inserts provide you with a 12% smoother ride, 35% increased sidewall stiffness and a 25% reduction in tire roll. This allows you to corner more confidently and enjoy every section of trail, no matter how rocky it is. Your suspension also works 16% better with the inserts because the suspension requires less travel to absorb bumps. You also receive 3.2% less rolling resistance compared to a standard tubeless setup. The inserts are designed to fit tightly inside your front and rear tires. This tension pushes the bead against the rim while maintaining a supple tread patch. These inserts provide you with a huge list of benefits with the only slight drawback being a little added weight. Any rider will tell you the pros dramatically outweigh the cons.
Please be aware that CushCore’s tubeless valves must be used with the tire insert system. The valves feature a special design that allows air to escape from the side of the valve instead of the top. Since the tire inserts sit snug against the top of the valve, a standard tubeless valve is not able to release air into the inside of the tire. The Single Tire Insert does not come with a valve, while the Tire Insert Kit that comes with two inserts comes with two valves.
If you are looking to improve your bike’s performance and save your wheels and bike tires from their inevitable doom, install a set of CushCore tire inserts today. If you have any questions about their products or proprietary closed-cell, polyolefin foam, jump on a call or chat with one of our expert Gear Advisors. You can email, chat, or call them at 951-234-7554 seven days a week.
