MTB Tire Insert Comparison Test - CushCore Pro vs Nukeproof ARD vs MegaNorris 27

Tire inserts can improve pinch flat resistance, rim protection, sidewall support, and traction. Back-to-back trials revealed a favorite among these three promising contenders.

TrailPeek
8/20/2020 12:21am
s1600 TireVital 589552

Closed-cell foam tire inserts 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

Photo

Photo
Photo

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

Photo

Photo
Photo

Photo

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
Photo
Photo
Photo

Photo

Photo

View specs, compare models, and rate these tire inserts in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

About The Reviewer

Zach Petersen - Age: 23 // Years Riding: 10 // Height: 5'9" (1.75m) // Weight: 145-pounds (65.8kg)

Zach cut his teeth figuring out how to ride on the unforgiving mining trails of Northern California. After watching Earthed 5, he decided to try out enduro racing and continues to seek out the most gravity-oriented events. When not racing he's smashing out big backcountry days in the Sierra Nevada, pushing dirt around the forest with a McLeod, and keeping the stoke high with Trail Peek.

Video by Trail Peek

Related:
Huck Norris
Tire Insert
CushCore
Tested
Nukeproof
27 comments

View replies to: MTB Tire Insert Comparison Test - CushCore Pro vs Nukeproof ARD vs MegaNorris

Untitled.png?VersionId=
bizutch
4 years ago
A lot of private property owners are going to wanting their signs back.
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
tobriks
4 years ago
Not tried Cushcore but I've tried some other of these foam hoops in the past (Rimpact, Huck Norris, Pepi's and Nukeproof) and don't feel they are worth the hassle. On my hardtail the added damping was definitely noticeable. However, rim protection is still subpar which also seem to worsen overtime as the foam shrinks (a result of the foam being under constant pressure, I suppose). Eventually they start to rattle inside the tire which not only sounds very annoying, but the shrinkage of the foam also reduces the much wanted sidewall support which ultimately, increases the risk of rim strikes. IMO just buy a proper DH casing tire instead.
2
c50 88521480 1251936778
TEAMROBOT
4 years ago
Funny that you never tried Cushcore, because I think you just wrote a salespitch for them. Rim protection, sidewall support, and not shrinking or losing function over time are the main selling points of Cushcore over other tire inserts. I used to run DH tires without inserts on my trail bike, but was still folding tires and denting rims. I tried Huck Norris and it worked for a while but I experienced all the same drawbacks you described. Now I’m running DH tires and Cushcore in the rear and I’m happy as a clam. It weighs a little more, but I got used to it. I don’t think this is a product everyone needs because frankly not everyone rides fast and not everyone who goes fast rides like an ape. But for fast apes this product is well worth the weight and $$ and installation pain.
7
Untitled.png?VersionId=
bizutch
4 years ago
@TEAMROBOT I don't see this product even for those that ride fast. I see it more for those who ride straight. When I raced Platty, I learned really quickly that I THOUGHT I liked to go straight and run over stuff. I realized that some guys want to slam into everything as straight as possible and hear loud noises with zero effort.
It surprised me because I am a rim crushing kind of guy.

Riding with those goombas taught me that there is a whole other level of "beat the living F out of yourself and rig" for shits and giggles.
3
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
tobriks
4 years ago
Not my intention but now you'd said it, it sure did sound like a salespitch for Cushcore! Hope Cushcore sees this and send me a decent discount code But if Cushcore do really solve the issues of other inserts as you described, I might need to reconsider. Because tire inserts thus far haven't really impressed this ape.
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
mossboss
4 years ago
I've definitely experienced cushcore loosening up its bite on the rim over time, whether this is attribute to foam compression from constant pressure or not I can't say. Bottom line, they wear out in 6 months irrespective of riding habits.
3
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
afterschoolsports
4 years ago
This is one of those products that honestly stagger me. $70-150 for a pair of foam hoops? They are obviously taking the piss. I will never support a company who treats customers with such contempt.

I could have these made, and packaged for less than $5 with a moq of ~1000. Their costs will be more like $1.

An asking price of $20-30 is the maximum wheel inserts should be. I can't wait for the oem knock offs to hit the market. Then I will buy a set.
4
2
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
thejake
4 years ago
Go start your company and make a bunch of money if it’s so easy. Sounds like you will take the market by storm. Overhead will be low since you can work out of your garage and with costs at only $1 and a price of $20-30 and 5 mins to make you should be clearing $2000 a day easy once these start to move.
6
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
afterschoolsports
4 years ago
Thanks, but I'm busy running the successful businesses I've already started. We provide high quality products that we have independently developed, at a reasonable price. That last point is what allows us to (amongst other things) continue development, make a healthy profit, provide our retailers with a good margin (100%), create user loyalty and compete with cheaper mass produced alternatives.
2
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
Jukulae
4 years ago
Im running the Rimpacts. I like the price, easy install, and weight. I am bummed that I cant run lower PSI as there really isnt good sidewall support. Also cant tell if they are dampen the trail chatter. Not sure if I will keep running them when I change my tires next. We shall see how they handle Snowshoe and other DH trails over the next few months.
c50 33195945712 9fcea14c7e b 1493415876.jpg?VersionId=SLoSAzG4ZiYZqL1NiE3p 2h
Salespunk
4 years ago
Having run most of the options out there extensively the CushCore works well. There is a specific situation where I have flatted multiple times though. When leaned over in a corner at speed the rocks will slide up the side of the insert and cause pinch flats. Have done this 10+ times always in the same situation. Other than that I have only had a few straight up flats that were massive hits/spikes straight through everything. This is over 3+ years and thousands of miles with them.
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
mossboss
4 years ago
I went from Rimpacts to the Tannus Tubeless. Interestingly, the Tannus is more supportive in the corners, but I'm bottoming out on rocks more than I was with Rimpact at the same pressure. Haven't actually flatted yet, but there is audible dinging of aluminum. So, Tannus is more supportive, but less protective among those two options. I think this is due to the winged design, which takes up less air volume. Maybe the tire air spring is less progressive than solid foam setups, and there is less material between rim and rock.
1
c50 90973730 1283011954.jpg?VersionId=lzH3Jw7xIGY9PhLExvcr7D0w LX
Scrub
4 years ago
3 more beers and relax.

ARD is my choice right now on the trail bike for same reasons, the weight, protection, and compliance are all +'s. Only downfall is when its time to remove/change the tire.
1
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
Eoin
4 years ago
Nice overview, but a handful of runs isn't really going to allow you to go into the details of the pressures allowed and puncture resistance of each insert.

I ran the original Huck Norris in my rear wheels after cracking right through a carbon rim (prior to using inserts). Maybe this has been fixed, but the original HN had quite big air bubbles, which captured a lot of sealant, so in the end you had to put a huge amount of sealant and extra weight to have a decent setup. Ride quality was unaffected, but I dramatically reduced my punctures and rim damage. Eventually I took them out after about a year and they were shredded on the sides, suggesting they saved my at least 20 punctures and rim dents/cracks. After taking them out I started puncturing again, even with heavy tyres (Assegai DH). HN doesn't really allow lower pressures.

I bought some Nukeproof ARDs last year and love them. As the reviewer said, installation is easy, removal can be a pain. I recently discovered the trick: take a mallet and tap the tyre lever to push the bead under the insert into the center of the rim, so it only adds a minute to remove the tyre. I bought the 27.5 version (they come in pairs), but you can slice one and pierce 2 holes and then zip tie it back together to make it fit a 29 rim (this is how HN works), this will also allow you to control any streching issues (seems to be the main complaint online). It does absorb some sealant, but really holds the tyre and supports the casing well. I don't think I have punctured via snakebite since using them, and recent inspection revealed a bunch of pierced edges, suggesting they have saved me half a dozen punctures. I recently had a bunch of issues with punctures with my "bike park" wheel: alu rim, 1200g tyre, no insert, and swapping over to a fallback setup: carbon rim, 900g tyre + ARD gave me no issues whatsoever.

From anecdotal experience, I would trust a 1000g tyre (Exo+ or DD) + ARD over a 1200-1300g DH casing without an insert. I'm about to try schwalbe's new supertrail tyres, which look ideal weightwise. (I previously had to run supergravity which were relatively heavy when paired with ARD for all day epics)

ARD also allows lower pressures thanks to good sidewall support, I run 23psi in the rear generally, but am pretty sure I could get away with 20ish. Not tested, but on a cheap alu rim, in race conditions I would not hesitate to finish a stage despite a puncture with ARD, I'm confident the tyre would stay seated and dents would be minimal.

Never tried cushcore, they look great, but price and weight make them non-starters for me.
1
c50 1507807 656198977771892 236526956 n 1399266294.jpg?VersionId=DEJtgXR Ob5
Skerby
4 years ago
DH tire sidewall support is better than insert + exo tire though.

I've been running cushcores with mich wild enduros and I have been pretty disappointed with the 'support'. Maybe can run a couple psi lower with cushcore, worth it for the feel on rocks though.
c50 IMG 20161101 212842 1526003974
Mudmandh
4 years ago
Who will be the first tire manufacturer to launch a tire with some type of insert already embedded in it as an option?
c50 DSC05080 1405799877
Sanese1metrs
4 years ago
Schwalbe just launched new super casings for their tires. Their goal was to eliminate the need for inserts, and they have built that extra protection into the tire. But does it work?
c50 water bike
Dave_Camp
4 years ago
yeah it should. I've run 5 Schwalbe SuperGravity (older version casing) tires down to nothing. Zero flats. Same bikes/wheels I've flatted 4-5 Maxxis Double Downs with and without cushcore. I'm done with Maxxis DD.
1
c50 water bike
Dave_Camp
4 years ago
Magic Mary is your front tire- always all conditions. Hans Dampf is an OK rear tire, rolls fast, good braking, good climbing but not so good cornering. I haven't run a Big Betty- but they just redid that one and it looks like it's supposed to be the rear to match with a Magic Mary on the front.
c50 Sharp jedi 3 copy
Mr. P
4 years ago
10 years ago DH tires and some "AM" tires had an "anti-snakebike" insert at the bead. I wonder where those have gone...
Untitled.png?VersionId=
bizutch
4 years ago
pretty sure that "feature" is just part of being a functional DH tire these days, so not a "added" feature.
The most recent run of Test Pilot tires from Maxxis were hinted to have a little extra sauce in the sidewall but I've not heard much since. It sounded to me like they were aiming for less burp at the rim & more dent protection.
avatar.png?VersionId=TkOXSLqxgAC412Y 1F6UyzOaMSkN
Losvar
4 years ago
That's standard fare on almost all tires today, they barely even bother to list it anymore, as it's considered standard unless you shop for bottom of the barrel budget tires.
How well they work, that is something else entirely, in my experience, the best safety is to just run some double ply tires and not bother with trying to force lighter tires to work with some inserts.