MTB Tire Insert Comparison Test - CushCore Pro vs Nukeproof ARD vs MegaNorris
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Tire inserts can improve pinch flat resistance, rim protection, sidewall support, and traction. These closed-cell foam creations have made a splash in the mountain bike world, gaining many fans and early adopters seeking their wide range of benefits. We corralled three promising models for a bit of rock smashing and on-trail evaluation. Join Vital MTB tester and @Trail Peek ripper, Zach Petersen, as he breaks down each product's ease of installation, added damping, support, and protection before picking a favorite.
CushCore Pro Highlights
- 26, 27.5, and 29-inch models
- Applies constant pressure on tire sidewalls
- Pro model is ideal for 22-35mm internal rim width with 2.1-2.6" tire
- Weight: 245-260g (26-29", claimed)
- Pro kit includes CushCore tubeless valves
- MSRP: $78 USD per wheel, $149 per pair
- More info: www.cushcore.com
Nukeproof ARD Highlights
- ARD = Advanced Rim Defense
- 27.5 and 29-inch models
- Shaped for easy tire fitting
- Weight: 130g each (27.5-inch, claimed)
- ARD valves included
- MSRP: $69.99 USD per pair
- More info: www.nukeproof.com
MegaNorris Sandwich Highlights
- Fits all wheel sizes
- New black hard density compound for big impacts and impact dispersion
- 55mm width version is ideal for 28-34mm internal rim width with 2.3-2.5" tire
- Ladder design prevents impacts but keeps weight reasonable
- Also available in lighter weight 'Toast' and heavier duty 'Hamburger' models
- Weight: 200g each (29-inch, claimed)
- No special valves needed
- MSRP: $46.50 USD per wheel
- More info: www.hucknorris.com - กีฬา
Do you run a tire insert? Which one and why?
Join Trail Peek for more ripping rides: th-cam.com/users/TrailPeekfeatured
I'm notorious for destroying rims, because I like to plow threw chunky stuff while clocking in at 107kg. That's why I installed the Huck Norris a few years ago and I gotta say: For weighing below 100g per wheel, this thing does what it's supposed to do. Haven't had any rim damage associated with bottoming out the tire let alone any snake bites. Surely there are inserts that perform better, offer more support and more protection but as a bare minimum as in "I don't want to buy a new wheelset every so often", this gets the job done with barely any weight penalty.
It would have been great if you had tested Schwalbe Procore as well, since that is kinda the gold standard in terms of tyre inserts.
What about tannus armour? That’s a worthy option.
@Vital MTB Can you do a MIX ARD Front or Rear and a Cush core Pro 1FrontRear+1FrontRear Test please !
I have only used a Huck Norris (standard style) on a bike that had really right tire clearance and couldn't fit a heavier casing tire. It did the job, but I could definitely feel the added weight on XC rides. Otherwise, I've been shopping for inserts for my gravity bike. A friend has Cushcore and while he generally likes how it performs, the maintenance has been a real PITA. Shame you guys couldn't get the new Tannus insert to add to the comparison. That one looks like it has some nice features.
should have gotten someone else to do the swap and run them blind
I’m running the Cushcore Pro and are very happy with them. The issues was with the installation, like most people have stated, but finally learned the trick to getting them and all is good.
Rimpact! I just mounted the Tannis Armor too. Love the Rimpact and they ride quality is everything you said about the CushCore. As for the T-Armor, I just got them and so it’s not anything like the dampened feel of Rimpact. It does help get more life out of tires that need holes repaired that probably will never be set up tubeless again.
I am a believer in cushcore xc. Noticeable ride improvement (damping and a bit of cornering support) , pinch flat elimination (for me so far), easy install and relatively light weight
I think the xc is probably comparable to the ard and would have fared well in this review. For an everyday trail bike, the xc is the way to go. I do prefer the pros for bigger travel bikes.
Hey guys the nukeproof Ard retails for about $50 a set! This makes them way cheaper
Turns out it is $38.99 for a set! www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/us/en/nukeproof-horizon-advanced-rim-defence-ard-pair/rp-prod172999
Yeah don't know where they got their pricing from!
Incorrect. I have two sets of them and they are actually about $55 to your door
Rimpac inserts - these have saved my rims so many times. Light like ARD's but with more side wall support.
I just put in Cushcore xc on a trek slash with DHF exo+ front and back, great dampening still, much lighter, and still able to run almost 5 psi less. Great product
Thanks for this video. I decided to go with the ARDs but I wanted to see some opinions of the competition. That trail is sick and nice riding!
Thanks for this Nice test 👌🏼
Rimpact have got to be the best out there! Half the price and weight of a few of the more expensive systems.They offer different levels on the same purchase too. So you can have their lighter Original one up front and the dual density Pro one out back!
i just installed the Flat Tire Defender 2 on my bike and ran it fresh at snow summit. quite interesting and at $90 a pair with valves im very impressed
Would have liked to seen the Vittoria Airliner reviewed with these.
Great video, thanks. It would be nice to see the both the claimed weight and the actual measured weight listed in the video's description, and have it explicitly stated if the weight is per insert or per set. In addition, as others have mentioned, a blind test where the rider doesn't know which inserts are installed would be an even better method of reviewing. Finally, a note at the start of the video regarding the brands of the inserts and if they are sponsors of the channel and/or whether or not the products in the video were sent for free or paid for by VitalMTB, would be even better to know what potential unintended bias there may be.
Great vid. Thanks. What tyre pressures were you running?
I went to plumbing store and I bought pipe foam. Same stuff you wrap on hot water pipe. You measure your wheel and concet that foam with zip ties. Works the same and it's far cheaper
Been running ard a bike park every weekend and also pedaling alot at my local trails love them really forgot about them
I was using a Victoria air liner & found that it was sucking up the Stan's tyre sealant & when I took it out it was covered in lumps of tyre sealant & it was a lot heavier. So I have now put the A.R.D in the back wheel & i have worn out 1 rear tyre & when charging the tyre i found it a lot easier with the A.R.D than with the Victoria air liner.
The A.R.D for 2 was less than one air liner. So a win win.
I run NUKEPROOF ARD. Only cost me $40 or so and protect the rim well.
Ye what they on about when they said 77 per tyre for nuke proof Ard?
The new tannus armour is way better
@@isaacscott8480 in UK ard cost £39 for two
I paid $80 CDN for the pair on sale. Haven't tried anything other than Nukeproof ARD and I don't think I need to. Am really happy with the product
Nukeproof for the last year. Inexpensive, easier to install, and zero issues.
I run the ARD.... works well but stretches really fast to a level it gets loose inside the tire and starts to rattle. While it seems to still work well, the noise is VERY annoying.
In that case you have to cut out a bit and use a cable-tie to strap it on your rim.
If you restrapped it, it seems to keep its length. But: As the insert is a wear-out item, (they last a season for me) i can't tell how they behave long term.
I'd reccoment the ARD anyway. It seems to be the sweetspot of price-performance.
BTW: We did some testing with the "flat tire defender" .... this system only works if you have a lucky tire/rim combination. We gave up on it and will never ever buy it again.
Thanks for the test. What about tyre pressures? What pressure do you ride with no inserts and how much lower did you go with them? I have a friend who is 200lbs+ and he has to run very high pressures to prevent burping sealant everywhere. I wonder if an insert would help him to settle with less psi.
I love my cushcore inserts. I run them front and rear. I can get away with around 13 or 14 psi in the front without it squirming. It also helps a ton with vibration dampening for my hands and feet
I've been running cush corse since they released it long before it came to Norway, so dar I don't have any complaints I got the Cush Core lever too. But Cush Core is not an miracle maker when it comes to huge impacts, but it will protect agianst smashing into stairs when climbing, or rocks on the trail, but not huge drops onto something rigid. 17.80 kg bike, 86 kg kitted rider onto a steel support wall, from about 1 meter and I flat spotted the rim. The rim was Hope Tech Enduro 29er. I had to use a hammer and hammer it as hard as I could many times to get it somewhat round, and then intention all spokes and true it, but I did not get it perfect, I might try some more later.
Tannus Armour insert. With inner tube. My local trails are pretty mellow, so I never saw the need for a tubeless set-up. €30,- per wheel.
Did you run with insert in both wheels or just the back wheel ?
If in both wheels, do you feel a difference of grip ? Less control ?
That tire lever looks badaas. Those Trailpeek boys need to get back to filming some sick rides
Butt plug
No Rimpact?? Best inserts in the UK hands down. Dual density, closed cell and super supportive. @vitalMTB you're missing out!
Best inserts! Rimpact all day long. Best value and certainly work the best 👌🏻
I've become a Vittoria Airliner proponent. Second full season on them and I'll never go back. I have them on two bikes, an Enduro running 2.8 and an all mountain running 2.6 They completely deaden the high frequency stuff and let me run nice low pressures. So much so it's like a new suspension setup. The material they use does not soak up any sealant at all. Install is "ok" once you figure out the trick. I think they are lighter than any of these offerings. But they don't really offer much more sidewall support or bead lock based on their design. You'll never smash a rim with them, though. And the final icing on the cake: run-flat. Slice your sidewall bad? You can ride out. Some people hate the dead feeling they afford, but my friends who followed my lead were all pleasantly surprised. Now there is another company offering a very similar design that has two stage foam, so looks like they figured out the suspension enhancing qualities of this design. Oh, and I never knew Rob Rides EMTB had an American cousin! :-D
Tannas armour tubeless looks promising.
it's heavy as f*ck
eMBino not the new tubeless version.
Why did you leave out the Vittoria Air Liner?
I'm running ARD and it has saved plenty of tires for me, but i still got a double puncture in a downhill run. No idea is it was snakebite or a rock, it didn't make a harsh noise or ping.
You should test the new inserts from Mr Wolf, and the rectly released Tannus tubeless insert.
No Vittoria tire inserts in this comparison? That's what I run and they are awesome!!!
That’s what I wondered, they are great.
The flaw with those is they need zipties to be fitted.
@@mtbboy1993 Honestly I don't have any issues with the zipties... And, way easier to install too...
@@R6trackaddict66 zipties wear out, and can wear the insert.
@@mtbboy1993 I have used them on my DH bike for the last 2 1/2 years without any zip tie wearing out the insert issues
The problem with the ARD is that they stretch over time and then you can literally hear the inserts rattle in your tyres. Super annoying. After trying a bunch the only two I still use are Cushcore and Rimpact. Rimpact better on trail bikes where you're going for protection without weight cost and Cushcore better when you want to change the way the tyres feel. You get used to the weight of the Cushcore in like 2 rides (like any extra weight). Funnily enough I have Cushcore in my Optic and Rimpact in my Firebird because I'm too lazy to change them over so they both must be good!
Your ARD must have been faulty, I have been running one in both wheels for a year now and there has been no stretch and it doesnt rattle around.
@@Duncan23 they mush have fixed the compound. I had a pair, they rattled, returned them, the 2nd pair rattled. My mates had same issue. This was probably a heat ago.
Rimpact pro all the way. An amazing product and amazing weight saving compared to the cushcore
voce usou nos dois pneus front e rear???
Pipe foam -, cheap and working well with my 2.8
Te falto probar Rimpact Original rueda delantera Rimpact Pro rueda trasera son muy buenos S2
The Ard is $70 per pair on chain reaction cycles
Running ARD rear but think i Will run ard front and vittoria airliner rear soon
Thanks for the video! Personally I would really like to know about the longevity of the different inserts. Realistically something like a cushcore is comparable in price to many of the aluminium rims it might be mounted on, so it's a bit annoying if it only lasts 2000km (I don't if that's the case, just saying). I've seen a lot of people on CRC complaining that the Nukeproof ARD stretches and starts rattling around after a while, which would be annoying, but on the other hand they're so much cheaper that you could replace them more often. I have been using Panzer inserts and I'm pretty happy with them, they do stretch a bit over time but you can just cut a little section out and stick it back together with chewing gum and paper clips.
Just cut a piece out of them, join them back together and pop them back in.
I've tracked myself on Strava on my Nomad and done over 3500km's so far with Cushcore Pro rear, XC front. No issues with insert longevity yet.
Try Rimpact.
I really like rimpact, but can’t say I’ve tried the others.
Yes
I have cushcore and nukeproof ard on my bikes, ARD is NOISY AF, so I prefer cushcore.
Had mine installed for 2 weeks and thought I was going to be an exception to the rule, but sure enough, my bike now sounds like a bag of ping pong balls when I ride down anything chunky
@@molehumper11 Cut a 20mm section out, put a hole in either end, poke a ziptie through and tighten up, then stretch around the rim & mount per usual. Mine rattled after two weeks, cut section out as recommended by someone and have had zero issues since. Saved my rims multiple times now, and have survived tyres being changed 4+ times.
*Where are all our Tannus riders at?!* 👍⭕
if the Nukeproof ARD soaks up more sealant wouldn't that make them the heaviest once installed and you then need to add more sealant after the first ride to ensure there is enough to seal up holes if needed?
It's negligible to be honest. It soakes up some but not all. The weight wouldn't change unless you added more sealant into your tyre.
They stretch too, and they rattle in the tyres, I haven't tried it, but that's what I have read in Norwegian forum, at terrengsykkel.no but I also have read about this on Instagram, so these are a a no go.
@@mtbboy1993 how long did they have them before they start to rattle around? Because I have mine in and I got not rattle or defects. Put over 300km of riding on them and still feel great
@@dg4charity997 I don't know but I read that long time ago, few months ago, so he had it for few months I think.
Hate to sound like "that guy", but really wished they would have tested these on more rocky terrain. My home track is basically rocks shaped like knives and DH casing tyres or at least DD with inserts is a must. Those trails shown barely looked rocky at all
It seems that there were a lot more inserts that were not tested, but also I have no clue where you got your pricing from, because none of the prices seem to match the MSRP, or current prices, and none the inserts come in a single wheel configuration to my knowledge.
Cushcore for me
how is ARD 69.99 per wheel?! it costs around 50€ for pair!
I run Schwalbe pro core
No Tannus Armour?
Who gave this guy a hash brownie before call?
perfect on x1.25
Yah
Rimpact for me all the benefits of mushcore half the price 😁
But does it perform as well? Is it as firm, and absorb as big impacts? I've hit rear wheel so hard cush core was not enough, no insert would be. 1 m drop and landed wrong with mos tof my weight on the rear, it hit a steel support wall, some extreme urban riding. It was on a full suspension bike.
@@mtbboy1993 I have used both and Rimpact provides very little sidewall and cornering support in my experience, and much less protection for your rim and tire. The feel isn't nearly as damped either so there is less suspension provided by Rimpacts. They are lighter and cheaper though so there are some trade offs.
Anyone having funny issues with the ARDs ? Im running the ards with stans tubless sealant after 1month they sound like they have stretched and the foam become harder and makes a funny knocking and squeaky noise inside the tyres when riding over bumps?????
wait a minute trail peak is mtb vital , mtb vital is trail peak!
I’ve heard of someone running 9 psi with Cush core can’t do that without i gaurentee
why no Mynesweeper? 🤷♂️
The pricing on the nukeproof ard was really wrong, they sell for 38 United States dollars on chain Reaction Cycles for a pair, not 69usd for one shell, 19 for one wheel
Does the insert change the feel of the bike?
Yeh
It does
I've ran CushCore for a few years, but went with HuckNorris for weight savings this past year. The CushCore had incredible feel, definitely stiffens up the side walls. But good lord almighty are they hard to install, which I have done in 4 different wheel sets over the last two years. I finally just said fuck it and went with HuckNorris. I've got to say, I like the close to 500 gram weight savings over Cushcore, which you can certainly feel in acceleration and braking. Especially on more XC trails with short fast climbs, the weight savings is much appreciated. CushCore is a great insert if you mostly do DH or Shuttle Runs on Enduro/Moto trails. But the new MegaNorris/HuckNorris is a great all around rim protector. The others offer more support at lower air pressures, and yo can honestly "run flat" on a CushCore. But honestly, how many people would run on a flat tire and risk damaging their wheel?
what about Tanus armor
WTF no Tannus Tubeless armor?
Yeah there good but having a lifespan only lasting for 2 tires makes them super expensive as they cost $260 canadian for a set. For a reference I go through a tire a every 2 months riding bike park, I ride about 3-4 days a week, that works out to $520 a year no thank you.
Which insert are you reffering to? Cush Core will last for years.
Cush core, because even with 0 psi you can still ride without destroying the tire and rim. Walking down the mountain sucks
I rum with nukeproof ard
Definitely rimpact. £35 for a set or £70 for the pro version
I ride an eMTB. Weight is not really a consideration. Don't see them very often here in Canazuela...
Vittoria for me
I use tubes but I have no issues with it
Mynesweepers but they don’t last very long especially if you get a flat and have to ride on it
Cush Core can't physically soak up any sealant, ths just impossible it's closed foam. But those rebranded pool noodles will, cus they are just poool noodles. I don't remember all of the brand names, but they exist.
The Cushcore price i find to be just insane.
They really think I'm gonna spend 70 on a foam ring. I'll pass on that one
70 bucks saved me way more on new rims and time for lacing
@@seanhornchek6440 I've never damaged a rim. Clearly I'm not riding hard enough
Joe Breakwell Atleast you answered your own question!! I have to lace up new hoops every 3-5 months, Utah has no mercy for wheels.
Cush core will protect agianst smashing wheels into stair cases for example and low drop impacts, but it won't save the rim agianst high drops. Like me dropping and landing with too much weight on the rear, right on a metal support wall. I flat spotted the rim, and had to use a hammer and bang it into somewhat round shape. But I have spare wheels, I've 3 wheelsets.
Cmon, how much cushcore paid you?
Vs diy home made one
Tannus Armour
i prefer 32psi than all these inserts
60 PSI fly by
Cushcore XC. Similar advantages as pro at lower weight.
Nuke Proff ard's stretch over time and become very load
The price for close cell foam is to high. I slap some simple pool noodles in.
how much kush you took to your core in california? you're pretty stoned
I'd rather run a heavier duty casing and not only get extra dampening and side wall support but more protection. Plus if a tire requires repair on trail it's not a PIA like cushcore
Way off on the price of Nukeproof ARD. 😲
Esmeulon - Gostei ☠️
.
Don't need tire insert, just watch your air pressure on everyride. Use a good side wall tires and i never had any puncture running tubeless plus the bike is lighter without those inserts.
Bruh ur just not to aggressive I ride my enduro bike 25 in the back 23 in front and dh casings and still managed to get flats
Audio was really poor.
You might aswell put the transcript into Google and get her to say it, would have more emotion than this guy. Sounds like a robot
Your ARD pricing is waayyy off
Cushcore .... Vs something a foam company pumped out to make cash.
How do you talk without moving your eyes? Creepin me out dude
78 bucks for fkin foam? Lmao at this shitcore commercial. You cab be surprised how cheap alternatives you can find in your local hardware / building materials store
65kg rider really shouldnt test tire inserts xD
Is the presenter drunk? He sounds addled