I’ve just fitted the Anacondas to 27.5 2.8 maxxis tyres and had a quick test.
Surprised how light they are. The compound is more hard plastic feeling foam than a spongey rubber and don’t feel particularly pliable so don’t know how this will affect durability. But does seem like it’s shouldn’t absorb too much sealant.
Valves have nice features, I cap over the slot to stop the insert blocking the hole.
They take up most of the volume of the tyre. Fitting was easier than expected but I did spill some sealant as it was displaced by the insert if not careful. Not as tight on the rim as FTD so easier to get the tyre on.
Riding
They seem to offer good amount of rim protection because the tyre bottoms out on the insert quicky. Not tried a full hit in to something that I know will kill a tyre with out an insert. There is a set of roots I use that if hit wrong (or right in this case) you catch the last one very heavy, I’ve dented rims before on it but I definitely felt the insert blocking the impact.
It would probably work to limp the end of a ride keeping the tyre on the rim with a puncture.
Cornering hard you can feel the tyre running on the insert, at lower pressure this feels very odd as the tyre squirming but with the firm support of the insert, maybe wallow and pushing kind of feel.
I need to have more time on them to see if there is a sweet spot pressure. But I felt the compound is too firm or fast to rebound as you really can feel when your on the insert. They don’t have the same damping feel of the Flat Tyre Defender.
With low pressure the grip on a really low speed steep slippery off camber was impressive with the tyre deforming to have a massive contact patch, but it didn’t feel at all precise to hold a line.
I might end up trimming the top of the insert down to try to get some more air space between the tyre insert and improve the softness.