Podcast: Adam Krefting from CushCore Talks Tires as Suspension
Words: Chris Hall
Are tyre inflation systems the next step in improving the overall suspension performance of our bikes? In this episode, we get into the detail of one of the most promising and also misunderstood technologies to enter the mountain bike world for some time. I’m joined by Adam Krefting, the founder and inventor of CushCore for a chat. We talk about how a regular tubeless tyre system works, and interacts with our suspension. Find out how Adam worked to create a product that can improve on that, and deliver not only improved puncture resistance and rim protection, but also significant benefits in how the bike rides and performs. We get into the science behind this, and some of the testing that CushCore have done to show what is possible. If you’ve been tempted to try some tyre inserts, or are looking for ways to improve your bike without spending a fortune, then this episode is well worth a listen!
You can also listen by searching for ‘Downtime Podcast’ on iTunes, Spotify, or Google Podcasts, by asking Alexa, or over on our website http://www.downtimepodcast.com/cushcore/ and you can follow us on Instagram @downtimepodcast
NB: Our own Tech Editor Daniel Sapp has been digging into the numbers and the tech and will report back on it soon.
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Maybe the non plus sized would have been better but that's the size they suggest for that rim. There was simply no channel room for the bead to drop into...if you could even unglue the bead seat after a few weeks of use and sealant.
However, my home trails (Grand Junction, Moab, Sedona mainly) I found I couldn't decrease my pressures without rim or tire damage and the result was a very bouncy, skittish ride. Not to mention how much it sucks to pull a Cushcore trailside and ride out with a slimy insert wrapped around your body. Too many square edged, sharp rocks. I have found Huck Norris to work better locally while using my standard pressures.
On my DH tandem, I run cushcore in the front and a custom combo of ProCore and Cushcore in the rear. (Procore for the 100% confident beadlocking capability and "tunable" bumper and Cushcore for the sidewall support. I cut out the inner foam from the Cushcore for to fit the procore inside. On 2.8 tires, fwiw).
My understanding is that pretty much everyone on the EWS is now running some kind of tyre insert. They can't be that wrong can they?
I totally get that not everyone hammers their tires on their trailbike, and if you can get away with a light tire and no insert,more power to you, but if you're riding hard and don't use an insert, you're missing out, period. Since i've started riding 16 years ago i've struggled with severe hand pain due to chronik disfunctions in my hand and the reduced pressure the inserts allow gives me a lot more comfort (and traction) that just wasn't possible before on a simple dh-casing as i would crush any rim with those sooner than later.
Now i'm on CC and PC for a good 3 years and never had a problem.
As for the future advancements in tire tech.
I don't see that as a pro really. Maxxis' Breaker+ for example seems like a stupid idea for the end consumer if it's really a damping foam of sorts that's integrated into the tire. It just means that tires will get more expensive and we'll have to throw the whole thing in the trash once the tread is done. Inserts seem like the far more cost efficient and ecologically conscious choice here,as they can be reused. That's just me though. I can see the benefit of ease of use of course.
I can just urge anyone to try an insert and form their own opinion. For me personally, it was most likely the most impactful change in mtb tech in the recent 15 years (and yes,i kow dropper posts exist
I think the thing that has me hesitant is that I don't really ride park, but our normal, everyday rides consist of fairly long descents that are really chunky, some of which are the same distance and grades down as a run at the park. The problem is that I have to pedal to the top and not feel completely gassed. Do you run these on your trail bike where you have to pedal to the top? The weight is less concerning to me than the lower pressures, but I'm wondering if the insert helps to compensate for the lower pressure somehow.
The other frontier are better combinations of tire and rim shape to improve cornering performance. With Maxxis WT tires being a first step in that direction.
It depends on the application, however. In some usecases, e.g. bikepark riding and EWS racing, where downhill traction and flat resistance is everything and pedaling weight means nothing, it makes sense to combine heavy tires with heavy inserts. You might get even more performance out of a full on Mousse, like they use in MX.
For trailriding or casual "Enduro", it seems that people use either inserts or super-gravity/DD/Apex tire. With ease of use being a major pro in favor of the tire-only option.
I´m about 78kg and usually run 1bar in Schwalbe MM SG tires.
Now those things are game changers for two reasons imho.
1. you can hit stuff really (and i mean REALLY) hard without fearing for your wheels. This is probably more important to the park/race crowd than nearly all trail riders, but if you´re the kind of guy who dings rims even on a trail ride, maybe take a closer look at some inserts.
2. Pressure. And this is a big one for me and anyone with hand pain.
As for rolling resistance, i wouldn´t say it´s a drastic difference really, at least with my Marys. For comparison on my Enduro i have tubeless Continental Baron Projekts and they seem to roll slower than the SG Marys with inserts really. So i suspect tire tread still makes more of a difference. If i was to speculate i´d suspect that a well rolling tread with low pressure will still beat a mediocre rolling tread with higher pressure. That´s just a guess though. That´s also on tarmac for comparison´s sake. Offroad i suspect the difference to shift even more towards lower pressure, especially on tech climbs where the improved traction will let you ride much more relaxed.
Another observation of mine.
I regularly beat most people, even those usually faster than me, down the hill in the wet if they´re not running inserts. Since dropping pressure i honestly do not care anymore whether it´s dry or wet, grip stays exactly the same anyways. So it seems they all feel the need to slow it down in the wet while i keep enjoying myself like a little kid, trusting my tires to simply hook up as i expect them to.
Now that effect has always been there for me to some extent, being faster in wet conditions, but with the lowered pressures i feel a lot more relaxed and am sure it reflects in my riding too.
I can only tell anyone to just try some sort of insert for themselves. They are a lot of money for what looks like a pool noodle, but in the grand scheme of things they are a dirt cheap upgrade when you consider the effect they have on your riding.
Spot on.
The biggest innovation in the tire industry has been everybody finally copying the Minion tread pattern in recent years.
Apart from that, nothing new in the past 30 years.
Around 1,8 BAR, depending on the track.
Measured all with the same pump, so the drop in pressure is not due to variances between different gauges.
Well, people also die in car accidents despite seatbelts. That doesn´t prove the system doesn´t work though.
Obviously there are limits to any system, especially regarding rider weight, terrain, speed and line choice.
At 79kg and average to fast speed on rather rocky terrain i personally have not yet experienced any dents.
Two weeks ago i tried jumping up a staircase on the new dh-bike, which didn´t go well. I ended up smashing the rear wheel into the top steps at full speed which resulted in a loud impact noise and i was worried the rim would be toast. It was however perfectly fine. That might also just be down to how sturdy the rim is, but imho the Cushcore did soften the impact significantly. It´s being able to get away with that kind of dumb shit that makes me love my CC/PC inserts.
I guess results may vary for each individual, but for me personally it has been an awesome upgrade.
@Loki87: Nothing new for the last 30 years? If you believe that you will have no problem running Panaracer Dart tires for your wet-weather rides, will you? You can use them with Cushcore, obviously, so they will ride just as well as the SG Marys. And noone except maxxis cares one bit about Minion thread design. Tire treads are actually converging towards moto patterns, with maxxis being the outlier (see: Schwalbe, Conti, Michelin, Vittoria, Specialized, Bontrager...) .
Top podcast as always
Agree on improved ride feel, I’m on first few rides using FTD and nothing but positive so far
But I’ve increased psi was running 15/17 without inserts with FTD 17/19
Yes I would try if got them at realistic price?