MTB Tyre inserts. Do you run them? Which do you recommend?

[manbearpig]

Planning to do some rocky riding soon. Considering tyre inserts in my tyres. 32mm rim. Anyone have much experience with them?

Which ones do you use? 

[DieselnDust]

https://ridepanzer.com/

15months and still going strong. 1 Cape Epic, a season of XCO and XCM. 

Only 5gr of weight gain from new over a year.

Quite light weight to start off at 90gr ea

[manbearpig]

Shot Diesel

[michaelbiker]

Been using a Vittoria Airliner insert in the rear for quite some time on a Spez Fastrak / Schwalbe Racing Ralph and it works well. I like the ride feel - seems to dull vibration better - similar to a heavier side wall tire.

One thing I don’t like about inserts is sealant doesn’t last as long in them. I had this issue with both the Vittoria and Tubolight inserts. So be sure to check sealant levels more regularly. 

[DieselnDust]

6 minutes ago, michaelbiker said:

Been using a Vittoria Airliner insert in the rear for quite some time on a Spez Fastrak / Schwalbe Racing Ralph and it works well. I like the ride feel - seems to dull vibration better - similar to a heavier side wall tire.

One thing I don’t like about inserts is sealant doesn’t last as long in them. I had this issue with both the Vittoria and Tubolight inserts. So be sure to check sealant levels more regularly. 

yes they do absorb more sealant. The Vittoria does compress quite a lot under pressure too which should squeeze the seaant out but when you puncture it can absorb some of that back into the foam. They need to be checked regularly for cuts and heavily  abraded areas where sealant can be absorbed

[Jaytriathlon]

Currently been running the Cushcore XC inserts, front and rear, able to run lower tyre pressures as it locks the tyre bead down. 
and major plus is they don’t absorb your sealant. 
 

think they are 150g per insert 
 

[Shebeen]

12 hours ago, michaelbiker said:

Been using a Vittoria Airliner insert in the rear for quite some time on a Spez Fastrak / Schwalbe Racing Ralph and it works well. I like the ride feel - seems to dull vibration better - similar to a heavier side wall tire.

One thing I don’t like about inserts is sealant doesn’t last as long in them. I had this issue with both the Vittoria and Tubolight inserts. So be sure to check sealant levels more regularly. 

Been kind of waiting for them to come down in price as the novelty factor reduces. This is just for a single one, right? https://evobikes.co.za/product/vittoria-air-liner-protect-enduro-29-insert/

[Rapunzel]

I got a locally manufactured trail moose insert from Hellsend bikeshop about a year ago. It saved my back wheel a few times but could kick myself for not putting one in front too - trashed the wheel with a rock strike. Love the peace of mind and it far outweighs the marginally different feel. Do need a bit more sealant and it does make it more difficult to get tire on/off the rim.

[splat]

16 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

https://ridepanzer.com/

15months and still going strong. 1 Cape Epic, a season of XCO and XCM. 

Only 5gr of weight gain from new over a year.

Quite light weight to start off at 90gr ea

Available locally ?

[michaelbiker]

4 hours ago, Shebeen said:

Been kind of waiting for them to come down in price as the novelty factor reduces. This is just for a single one, right? https://evobikes.co.za/product/vittoria-air-liner-protect-enduro-29-insert/

Yeah that price is just crazy for a bit of foam. I got mine when I was in Europe but the price wasn't that diff. I've run them for about 5000km and used them across multiple tires, so they do last longer than a tire.

[Nestus]

2 hours ago, splat said:

Available locally ?

Yes, Olympic cycles sell both Vittoria and Panzer inserts. 

[DieselnDust]

3 hours ago, splat said:

Available locally ?

Yes 

https://orimglobal.co.za/

Edited March 24 by DieselnDust

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Maybe it's time for a "Tyre insert buyer's guide" for my website.

I've supplied my customers with Panzer, Vittoria, cSixx, Cushcore.

Personally I'm torn between using inserts and not.
I don't use them myself, and rely on line choice and tyre pressure to save my rims, but I'm not too rowdy of a rider anymore.

Let me know if you're interested in a comprehensive comparison article, and I may put one together similar to what I did with gravel tyres a while back (https://wheelbuilder.co.za/buyers-guide-gravel-tyres/) 

[Headshot]

Sadly, Nukeproof, although it has resurfaced as a bike brand, don't sell their ARD inserts anymore. These were quite affordable and reasonable light and durable. Easier to fit as they are not as wide as Panzers and seem to protect the rim well.

Have had one in the rear of my enduro bike for several years and it still works despite showing numerous chips where they have done their job while the rim is ding free. I only use an insert at the back as in my experience is that the front wheel usually fares a lot better at lower pressures even without an insert. 

[openmind]

I think the most important feature of an insert is that it does not absorb sealant. If it does, it will just get heavier over time and you will be likely to get stuck with a puncture that does not seal if you don't keep topping up. Stick with reputable brands like Cushcore (the only one I have experience with, it does not absorb any sealant).

After that, you need to factor in that it will change the ride feel of the wheel, in that the suspension characteristics of the tyre will change, a bit like putting spacers into your fork. There will be less air in the tyre and the "suspension" will ramp up more quickly. That could make the wheel feel more harsh than without the insert. That might be fine on a full sus bike, but that's the main reason I don't use inserts on my gravel rig as I have no mechanical suspension and need all the suspension from my tyres that I can get. I'll pick good lines instead . 

[DieselnDust]

53 minutes ago, nick_the_wheelbuilder said:

Maybe it's time for a "Tyre insert buyer's guide" for my website.

I've supplied my customers with Panzer, Vittoria, cSixx, Cushcore.

Personally I'm torn between using inserts and not.
I don't use them myself, and rely on line choice and tyre pressure to save my rims, but I'm not too rowdy of a rider anymore.

Let me know if you're interested in a comprehensive comparison article, and I may put one together similar to what I did with gravel tyres a while back (https://wheelbuilder.co.za/buyers-guide-gravel-tyres/) 

I relied on line choice until an errant rock rolled over and Into the path of my rear wheel and bang pssssssst thud thud. For the front I’m comfortable running the thinnest tyres I can find but for the rear I’ll use a liner regardless because carbon rims are expensive 

Edited March 24 by DieselnDust