The tubolights do have more surface area, and are a rougher surface.
Thanks for that. It sounds like for my personal use, the super light ones donāt make much sense. Iāve just been wondering if there are options that are better than my current small airliners that provide decent protection, but I did get a pinch flat or two last year, it just takes a big hit on a sharp edge with an angle.
Having used both of these, I donāt have a strong preference.
I donāt think either is absorbing any sealant. With both, I pulled the tires, and had about the same amount of dried / congealed sealant on the insert, and plenty still liquid for how long I left them. Marginally more on the Tubolight. I like that the Vittoria doesnāt have that center channel where the sealant can collect, especially if it goes in through the valve (You want it outside the insert between the tire)
The Vittoriaās look rougher with a little bit lighter use. But, On a previous removal / reinstall I had a Tubolight break / tear at the seam.
I will be using one of the two this year, I absoutely think theyāre a win for the events Iām doing (Mainly Leadville) where both weight and impact protection with lighter tires matters. Iāll just check and install with fresh sealant before the event. And, I also have a new set of Vittoriaās ready to go on when needed, and two new sets of Tubolights in addition to the used ones seen here.
I think the expectation with these is youāre maybe going to get a season plus or minus depending on riding and number of re-installs. Neither are designed for longer term use than that. When you wear them out, pitch them and put on a fresh set.
I see that there are many users with plenty of experience with inserts. The whole discussion is mostly about durability, but what about the impact on traction/comfort? Is there a significant improvement?
Yes. With inserts you can run lower pressures, which adds traction as well as comfort. This varies considerably by tire insert (imo). Some add much more sidewall support which will allow for better cornering support, although this varies even more based on the type of insert as well as the type of tire casing they are used with.
Adding my experience to this thread.
For the past couple of years Iāve been using the Vittoria XC Air-Liner Lite inserts (55g each) on 30mm IW rims on a 120/120mm Orbea Oiz with several different tires in the mountains around Salt Lake City. At first the Racing Ralph/Ray 2.35 (which measure 2.25 inflated), then the Conti Cross King 2.3 (which measured 2.3) and now the Dubnital Race Grip & Rapid 2.4 (which measure 2.31). The inserts have softened several bottom outs and I havenāt pinch flatted. The ability to run lower pressures (currently 14/16 psi on the Dubs & Iām 175lbs) is appreciated for comfort and traction and the insert not only provides some protection at the lower pressure but also supports the sidewall from flexing/collapsing at those lower pressures. I test rode without the inserts at the same pressures as with and the tires flex was immediately noticeable. Also without the inserts the tires (basically undamped air springs) were less progressive, ie less bouncy/smoother.
On my 30mm inner Light Bicycle XC930 rims I could usually pop the bead off the shelf with my hands for any of those tires. Sometimes with the Schwalbes Iād have to lay the wheel down and stand on one side of the wheel and press on the other side with my other foot to pop the bead. The Contiās I can do by hand every time. Then a single tire lever easy opened the tire and the inserts remove and install pretty easily. Wouldnāt be difficult at all to do trailside work.
It seems Vittoriaās claims about the inserts absorbing some air are legit. After, say changing tires, Iād over inflate to 25psi then check again in an hour and the pressure would have dropped and then not have decreased further when i checked again even later. This means to me that the inserts absorbed some of the air decreasing the pressure and come to an equilibrium. Then I would air down to riding pressure, check an hour later and the pressure wouldāve increased indicating some air was released from the insert. So with these inserts I try not to do drastic pressure changes just before riding.
Donāt know about riding on the inserts with a flat as Iāve never had a completely flat tire. One time a slow leak where i was at 10psi when i got back to the car and it was fairly rideable still thanks to the sidewall support.
BTW, IMHO Fillmore valves are worth the coin. On two bikes they havenāt ever clogged (no more replacing presta cores), work just fine with the inserts and have more flow than presta (easily seat the beads pumping through the Fillmore valve).