Not all inserts are the same.
Side question..any value in an insert in a gravel bike tyre use on comparatively rough ( for a gravel bike) surfaces?
'Gravel' covers a variety of tyres these days from 29x2.2"-ish to 700x35C-ish and various points in between.
I've been wondering about inserts for my CX bike lately which is on wafer-thin walled 700x31c tyres that I keep feeling the need to put a wee bit more air in than strictly "required" because I just don't want a nadgery root to end a race early, sort of negating the benefits of a supple, tubeless tyre, but then an insert potentially negates the weight benefits...
What I really need to do is lose 10kg and stop putting those skinny tyres under so much stress.
But yeah I think an insert is most beneficial if you're running either skinnier, lower volume tyres and/or tyres without much material in the sidewalls.
I like them on my HT on the rear and I'd say give them a try if you're curious about them. I'd rather have one in the event that I smack in to something at 50km/h when tired towards the end of a ride if it means I can get home/pub on it without any air.
I'd imagine it would be difficult to communicate to random strangers just how rad I am without them, concealed as they are inside my tyre, but usually the one-pack I'm rocking, concealed inside my jersey, tells enough of a story.
Bloody hell. Some posters are really projecting with some of this stuff. It's just flipping bikes! 🙄 😀
If you ride your cyclocross bike out and about over the rocks (e.g. the Peak or the Dales) then inserts are game-changing, @cookeaa, probably the clearest use-case for them (I can take or leave them on my enduro bike). I have the zeal of a recent convert, but really impressed with not having to run silly pressures out on the cross bike on rockier tracks.
They're also brilliant for racing if your courses are on the rougher side. For the pure cross twistiness between the tapes, though, I've not gotten used to them, feel a bit weird at low pressure when you're turning in, like the tyre is too stiff. They seem pretty popular though, so it's prob just a case of a different feel.
I use them in the rear tyre of my full-sus and hardtail. Tyre pressures have always been sensible, the inserts just give me an extra bit of insurance against those unexpected hits (such as a particularly sharp g-out I hit a few weeks back)
I could comment about your lack of weight and that Gary doesn't run inserts... 🙂
Which has randomly reminded me I need to order a new brake lever for the hardtail!
I'm not a hardcore downhiller, but I don't dawdle, and I ride a FS where it's rocky. I have 27 PSI in my rear tyre which is a 2.5 and I haven't come close to feeling the rim.
I run harder pressures because the tyres are so slow - If I were running 20 I might tell a different story. I'm not sure I would want to go that low though due to drag.
Based on my experiences unless you are really pushing it on rough sections and/or are on a hardtail then don't bother. I can see how they'd be great on a gravel bike though.
I was surprised that inserts aren’t used more widely in World Cup DH
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-actual-weights-of-world-cup-dh-bikes-with-ed-masters.html
I’ve tried a couple. Quite like them, don’t like the faff. Have not continued to use them. But I don’t like a soft squirmy tyre even if the rim is protected by an insert so maybe I don’t get some of the potential advantages?
Agree with those saying unnecessary. I’ve never felt the need – I had a hardtail ebike, where it was recommended by the manufacturer – I didn’t fit one and didn’t get any pinches (and hardtail eMTBs are damn hard on the rear wheel!)
On the other hand, my son, rides with his Uni club, constantly pushing themselves to do bigger jumps and drops, the insert has saved his riding. Was getting a pinch almost every ride and trashed 2 rear wheels in a few rides.
l like this answer. I see why it got grief. But it shows the reality.
Shock horror some times there is a benefit to inserts, some things there isn’t.
l like this answer. I see why it got grief
Yeah, reading it back it was frickin obvious I was talking about different types of riding. Not sure why I did have to spell it out for one thicko 😂
Anyone wants to try some, of unknown quality, I bought the cheap Anaconda ones from on one, for 29ers, never going to use. I took the valves so its just the noodles. Pm if you want to collect from East Devon for free or cover postage (about a fiver as its impossible to get them in a small box).
Worth it? Different for everyone I suspect. If you have a problem that hasn’t been satisfactorily solved with tyre pressure changes or downhill casings then definitely worth a punt. <br /><br />
I used to destroy tyres on a stupidly regular basis and less commonly wheels. I also always struggled with the sweet spot of tyre pressure vs grip vs not knackering expensive stuff. Rimpact pro suit me, no more constantly messing about with pressures and tyres last as long as I would expect. The tyres just feel good for my riding. I have them on both bikes and after a bit of practice, it’s no real hassle to change a tyre. Like many things, it’s often worth trying stuff, some things you’ll like, some things you won’t, regardless of anyone else’s opinion. If nothing else, you’ll have stronger fingers after fitting them. 🙂
