If you are really riding backcountry I would consider riding a DD casing. Add a CushCore to a DD tire bring a boot and you can likely leave the tube at home. I haven’t carried a tube with me in as long as I can remember but I don’t run tires that require me carrying a tube to compensate. There are trade offs but I guess for me the burly tire that is more resistant to cuts to begin with is a better option than running EXO and a tube in the event the EXO can’t handle the job.
I run cushcore in the rear of my enduro bike and it’s been so, so, great. Probably running 20-22 in the rear (2.5 dhf 27.5). Seriously considering running them for my cx bike. Will def run them in at least the rear if I ever get back into xc racing.
I’m running the regular/pro version. I would def get the XC version for my cx and xc bike though. I really have no qualms with the weight penalty with my big trail bike. I just noticed they make a gravel/cx insert too.
I was running tubulars for cx up until this year and running them very low. I think the cx insert will assist with getting tubeless even lower for cx.
@Ish27@mikethg Any other experiences racing CX? I had a small crash this weekend that led to a burp on my front tire. Only lasted another lap before completely blowing it out and going totally flat and ending my race. I’m thinking with cushcore you could get most of the advantages of Tubulars without all the headache.
I just received this week two sets of the new Vitorria Air-Liner Gravel insert, and planning to test on my gravel and CX tires. They are significantly cheaper than Cush-cores and supposed to be much easier to install. I’ll report back. Unfortunately our CX season is already over so can’t test in a race, but will throw them around the local park and plan to race on them next year if they are good. I’ve got a couple gravel races coming up to also test on slightly wider tires.
I would totally go for it. Cush core has totally transformed my cx experience. 4 races on them now and many training rides on cx courses. Being able to run lower pressures makes the ride smoother, with way better traction both in a straight line and cornering. There is a limit though and some experimentation with pressures. I did suffer my first flat in a very muddy race yesterday, I went too low in the back(180lbs, 25 psi) and smacked a belgian stair while hopping it too hard. I think it burped, and then it was really low and continued to burp until it was flat. It was quite rideable back to the pit however.
This is great to hear. I am about 168lbs and burped my normal tubeless front running 27psi this weekend. I didn’t realize it fully until a few more turns a lap later where it then totally rolled off and went completely flat. I keep riding that line of wanting lower pressure for traction but fearing the flats…seems like cush core will really help here. Have you ever been able to compare the ride to a tubular setup?
Has anyone tried turbolights for gravel? I’m thinking about my big gravel race next year and the inserts are so light that they seem like a no brainer.
That’s if it doesn’t add a bunch of rolling resistance.
I have not, but I have watched plenty of my teammates on tubulars and by the amount of “squish” I can visibly see, I think my set up is pretty close. For reference I ran 21psi in the front for mud, and tried 25 in the back(which burped, with bad timing and a very solid, sharp, square edge hit). With out that specific hit they would have been fine. For hardpack I have settled on 22 and 28, and with practicing and racing on those same stairs with some hard hits front and rear, no burps at all. These pressures are on 38mm Ritchey megabites.
Ran CushCore CX/Gravel on my Crux for a 62 mile gravel race recently, they were awesome. I continue to be confused that people will see rim protection as the primary benefit, when they add sidewall stiffness, vibration absorption, and decreased rolling resistance for the same weight as a butyl tube. Taking gravel turns at 35mph on 38mm tires after a downhill makes you really appreciate precise tracking! I run PTN R-Evolutions on my XC bike right now and CushCore Pro on my Enduro Rig with CushCore CX/Gravel on my Crux, and I will definitely be going with the CushCores when I replace the PTN. The PTN reduce the tire air volume well, but the CushCore offers a whole tire-suspension system that can’t be beat IMHO.
@Nate_Pearson I have a Gravel Time trial in two weeks to finish off the season. I put tubolights in because it has a rooty/rocky singletrack section on course. I hit that section at full speed and gained an entire minute on my buddies who were just working their way through it. Completely worth it for 23g. This is also what Dylan Johnson is running on his gravel set up for the BWR.
Well said! Rim protection is way down my list of reasons why I have inserts! I’m not saying it isn’t important but I race XC and never cracked a rim before inserts. I just swapped over to PTN ‘s from Cush XC and really like the PTN.
Can I ask how wide your rims are? 27psi @ 168 lbs seems REALLY high to me. I’ve been riding tubeless CX for years (once I finally decided to ditch tubular) and rarely put more than 22psi in, usually lower. For reference I’m about 160lbs and run 23mm (internal) rims.
This was on the stock R470 wheels. They are 20mm internal. I wonder how much the tire fit (loose or tight) has to do with burping? Regardless I’ll be using cushcore next season and seeing how that goes with lower pressures.
so can’t test in a race, but will throw them around the local park and plan to race on them next year if they are good. I’ve got a couple gravel races coming up to also test on slightly wider tires.
