CushCore Tire Inserts | Long-Term Review | Full Review & Final Thoughts

[@georgebailey6307]

YO hands down the best, most informative and articulated review! Have had my set sitting on the bench for 2 months after buying on a whim. They're going in this weekend for sure thanks to this review. I don't have money falling out of my AH, so after spending 2K hard earned and saved dollars for my hardtail this sounds like an easy investment for ride and protection! Thanks for posting..

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Oh especially for a hard tail!!! Shred on brother! 🤘🏼

[@TheDuke-n7o]

It makes sense to use cushcore especially if you have a lot of money invested in your wheels. I just bought cushcore for my bike because of your awesome review.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Many people buy it initially just for the protection, and fall in love with the feel of it. I'm glad my review was helpful.

[@RideAlongside]

Using the newly released 29+ version, with the ridge with cutouts like the XC lighter version, I tried using a normal tubeless valve, and lined it up with the ridge cutout and it worked great. Love the results you found, especially front vs rear. Wish you had more riding footage for the examples of riding your talking about.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

I do have a set of those XC ones, but the normal ones aren't that much heavier so I haven't needed them yet. All of my footage from last August forward is CushCore front / rear. All of the Mammoth, Whistler, and local videos are all Cush equipped.

[@MartinHernandez-kg2gs]

Great review, very articulate and clear. All hits explained. And the product does exactly that!. Have it on my bike and completely agree with this review

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thank you so much, I just try to be as honest as possible with all of the products that I choose to use. They've helped me, and my riding so much that I hope other people can find the same value in them that I have.

[@MartinHernandez-kg2gs]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon Well, you did a great job I'm glad there's commitment and quality in this media. Yours is my second subrcitpion (in my life) and I'll return here for some insights. I do make sound for films and have no time to surf internet or social media. Have no Instagram, Face, tweet... nothing. But here's my IMDB link if you ever need a Sound Designer ;) 音 martin hernandez | supervising sound editor | sound designer www.imdb.com/name/nm0380057/

[@h82fail]

Awesome review, I just picked up a set and installed the rear (what a PITA). After watching this I guess I need to do the front tomorrow. This really is a quality review, just subbed.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thanks for the compliment! Be sure to check out my installation video. I used to hate installing them, now I find it therapeutic.

[@h82fail]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon Yep.. new Cush core on brand new Maxxis tire - read the instructions and I think seen a random quick video. They just skip over the first bead like its easy lol. 30m in realized I was going to need to tuck the bead under and started but foam slipped off the rim and I stopped. Found your video the next day and did it from my office chair over a bucket in about 10m. I didn't wear gloves and hands got a little rubbed raw, otherwise its not too bad.

[@davenawahine6934]

I've been using them for around 6 month's, here's my evaluation. Positives They silence the small stuff They offer sidewall and rim protection. That's about it in a nutshell. Negatives Rolling resistance/added moving the weight. They can be challenging to install, what can be a real bitch is breaking the bead and removing the tire, especially in the field. Over time they become loose fitting and I think that degrades performance. The valves can clog up..mine did and I couldn't pressure down. which meant removing the valve to clean. I tried clearing it with high-pressure 160psi, tried a wire but the valve holes exit the sides...no go! Pricey So, I addressed the loose-fitting issue with cush core and basically, they told me that "yes" lose-fitting inserts can affect performance and that I should replace at some point. There's no way I can afford to replace them every 6 months. I'm going to pull them out and either toss them or shelf them...IDK. Not too hip on cush core not backing their product.

[@living4adrenaline]

Valve clogging can be an issue regardless of whether you're running inserts or not. How often would one have to remove tires running these inserts? Rarely if ever, unless you're running shitty tires! I've ran Maxxis 3C on a hardtail for over 3000 miles of aggressive singletrack riding, and had only 1 rear puncture running low pressure, maybe 21 PSI in the rear. This is WITHOUT INSERTS! The benefit is the ability to run lower pressure, and hence more grip! You're just being a negative Nancy.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Stay tuned, I have a special hack to increase the live of the inserts that I just found out!

[@GoodGuyBiker]

when we hitting that secret single track in Stanley Park I have been working on for the summer now, lots of north shore features ready to go

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Where is Stanley Park? And it wouldn't be that secret if you were commenting about it on here right?

[@brendanleong]

so uhhh, where is this secret track? lol i know i know im 2 years late

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Seems like if it is a secret, you must find it.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

standing ovation from me man, great review lots of info... shared 100x more knowledge than most "reviews" with "I'll make a long term one later" and never getting to it... You sold me on them if I ever go tubeless. I just ordered a Tannus armour for tubed tires, almost the opposite protection as the "meat" or thicker part is at top where the tread is so it should behave much differently but looks like it will still protect the rim on big impacts... I'm excited to try it Ha should firm up any thin XC tire

[@living4adrenaline]

Tubeless is the only reliable way...

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

agree 100%

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

You won't regret it!

[@chrisfontaine6221]

I'm still using the Tannus armor... just using the cheap casing Shwable Noby Nick, feels super stable, can run my rear as low as 15 psi without worrying about pinching the tube, 25psi feels like 35+ psi. the tread has a few good rock cuts right through that I just noticed last month so I'm going to replace it with the higher end one and keep using the tube and Tannus armor on the rear. leaning towards crushcore/tubeless when this front tire dies just to say I've tried it

[@thebadness6217]

ridiculously good review.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thank you so much!

[@joe7665]

I put one on the rear. very nice product! cushcore cracked the code on tire inserts. i was running about 26lbs before cush after cush about 17-18 ( still fighting it out) I i ride techy trails though

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

If you are riding tech, and not pushing into berms you can run a lower tire pressure like you are. That really depends on your sidewall thickness though. 17-19 psi front on a 2.5 DH casing feels like 23-15psi, so there are a ton of variables to consider.

[@joe7665]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon I'm on 2.3 DHR II exo rear and 2.3 DHF exo front. front: 23 psi Rear: 18-19 with cush i was running 25 psi. I just got into mtb so i'm sill learning

I'm putting Cushcore tire inserts today on my 2019 Giant Reign 27.5". Will let you know how it feels soon :D

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Go find your nearest chunk and send it!

[@isaacyamamoto1835]

Excellent video, you deserve so many more subscribers... Let's change that 😏

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Wow, thank you!

[@XavieRibeiro25]

Really good video. Best one on cushcore I've ever seen.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thank you so much 👍🏼

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

I’m running 16 rear 18 front feels great

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

DH casing?

[@whiplashingitis]

Really good review. Just what an engineer wants to hear.

[@chrisfontaine6221]

no kidding so many reviews are basically the info they read in the add with very little thought... let alone good follow up videos

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thank you so much guys, I just want to try and provide an honest take from a bloke that thought these were pool noodles. :D

[@briansrcadventures1316]

Interesting video - I bought a cheap pair of rim inserts (Barbieri Anaconda - looks like a pool noodle ) a few weeks ago. Mainly to help with keeping the tyres on the rim since I'm using tubeless tyres on a converted non tubeless rim. Still not got around to fitting them and testing them out as I ended up having to get bowel surgery last month - no bike riding for another few months :-( Will certainly be interesting to see how they feel.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

I highly recommend the Cush Core inserts, best I have ever tried.

[@BrianVaughn]

Just put this in my bike. Really nice job on these videos. I flatted on my very first ride with cushcore today. Probably was bad luck.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thanks Brian. Bummer to hear about your flat. Did you roll around on the bike after installing the cush core? CushCore or no CushCore I like to roll around to make sure the sealant fills up all of potential problem areas.

[@BrianVaughn]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon I'm a bouncer. I bounce and spin the tire. I got two punctures: one on the treads and one near the bead, The one by the bead didn't seal and I couldn't find the hole to plug it with a dynaplug.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

@@BrianVaughn Sounds like a bundle of bad luck. What tires / rims are you running?

[@BrianVaughn]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon Maxxis Rekon 2.6 on the rear. Back to a DHR2 2.4 for now.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

@@BrianVaughn What rim model, and rim width are you using?

[@mitebo1060]

It is like adding tokens into your tires...!!

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Agree 100%

[@aleariza]

Thanks for the review. Subscribed.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thanks for watching!

[@SylvainLasnier]

On the rear cushcore, marks are just compression or hole? Did you replaced it after your 1500 miles?

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Most of the marks are actually slits/holes that go all the way through the foam. Basically if it wasn't there the contact with the rim would most likely slit the tire instead.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

I actually ended up just rotating them like a car, and swapped front and rear. After they both really show wear and lots of holes I'll retire them.

[@jessepaulelliott]

Great review

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Thanks for watching!

[@symmetricon1982]

Are you still able to put sealant through the valve stem with them in?

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

It depends, I think the real answer is yes. However, I would recommend unseating the bead to install the sealant directly into the tire. If you watch my installation video you'll see which order I use to install sealant.

[@symmetricon1982]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon thanks!

[@Nicool333]

I wonder how long these last before you have to replace them

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

My first pair are over a year old and still installed in one of my wheelsets.

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Cushcore awesome 👌

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Agree 100%

[@tom-nl7fg]

i dond wana protect my rim i wana protect the Tube so i need a Cushcore betwin Tube and Tire is ther anything ? and no simple anti flattire rims are noth enogh ...;)

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Cushcore only works with a tubeless setup. I wouldn't ever recommend running tubes... ever...

[@living4adrenaline]

26 PSI in the front.. What are you, a roadie? The most I'd ever run in the front is 23, and generally 21 PSI. Only complaint about these is that they're a major PITA to mount tires on top of because the inserts are in the way of where the tire needs to bead/seat.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

PSI all depends on the riding conditions, what type of rolling speed I want (or grip I would like) and the type of casing. I can run as low as 18 PSI with a DH casing, but won't go much below 24 with an EXO. At lower PSI I can easily burp tires. I push really hard out of corners to pump extra speed. Add a bit of leverage at full speed and I can rip nearly any tire right off the rim if it is at 24 or below.

[@bighit32]

You would roll your back tire more if you cornered harder ;)

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Depending on weight distribution, I like to high side berms and go OTB...

[@laserbrain7774]

Shilly shit. All they CAN do is protect your rim from snakebite. Adding weight to the edge of the spinning disk is never going to improve ride quality.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

Does it increase the amount of time it takes to start and stop? Yes... However, I'm impressed at your ability to sit behind your screen and judge a product that you have not tried just because of your perception. I have installed different versions in all of my bikes, even my wife's rear tire has one. Go ride a couple hundred chunky miles on them, then tell me they don't improve ride quality. On another note, I do not receive any monetary compensation of any kind from any company that I review. (my name is not Seth)

[@laserbrain7774]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon You are way too easily impressed and should stick to car driving and video editing. I have ridden more miles and and repaired more bikes than you will ever think about. Adding weight to the edge of the spinning disk is never going to be a good idea. Only a noob or a shill would try to say such a thing. I do believe you when you say you aren't a shill though, so that narrows it down.

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

@@laserbrain7774 that sure isn't a judgemental comment at all, you must really be a joy to be around. They have helped my riding a lot, and if racing in EWS makes me a noob I'll take it.

[@spiderpig4221]

This is literally built as a system.. meaning you absolutely do need it on both tires .. I'm tired of hearing that stupid debate.. would you set up any other system with only half the parts? No... So why would people think it's smart for this system...

[@SingleTrackSurgeon]

This is just simply not true. The characteristics change depending on which tire the CushCore (and version) is installed in. Do you only run one brand and model of tire on both wheels. The idea that you have to run it in both tires is just flat out your opinion. I run CushCore in a wide variety of setups. On my hardtail I have it in the rear but not the front. On my race bike I have the XC on the front and the pro in the back. On my ebike, I have the pro version in both tires. And my wife likes to run the XC version in both tires. There is NO wrong way to use it, it just depends on what characteristics you are wanting to achieve.

[@spiderpig4221]

@@SingleTrackSurgeon I suppose cushcore themselves have no clue what they are talking about. They must also just say that as an opinion.. but hey, you do you. Ride however ya want.