The problem with pneumatic tyre systems, whether tube or tubeless, is that they act like air springs. They bounce and deflect off obstacles because they provide no damping of rebound forces.
THE SOLUTION
CushCore® is an engineered foam insert that mounts inside a mountain bike tyre. It divides the inside of the tyre in half with air directly underneath the tread, and the CushCore insert next to the rim. They work together as a spring and damper – In other words an Inner-Tyre Suspension System®.
A CUSHCORE SET INCLUDES:
2 CushCore Inserts
2 CushCore Tubeless Air Valves
4 Rim Stickers
Installation Instructions
COMPATIBILITY
Cushcore 700C - Gravel suits 700x33-46
Cushcore 27.5/29 - Mullet contains 1 x 27.5 insert + 1 x 29 insert (plus valves)
CushCore is compatible with your current tubeless tyres and rims
If your wheels are not tubeless ready, rim sealing tape will be required
We recommend the use of tubeless tyre sealant with CushCore
Installation with certain tyre & wheel combinations may require two people - one to work the tire levers, and another to hold the tire bead in the drop center of the rim. Wire bead downhill tires are most likely to need extra help.
WEIGHT
CushCore weighs about as much as a standard butyl inner tube
29" insert - 260 grams
27.5" insert - 250 grams
Potential weight reduction offset by using lighter tires and rims: 100-700 grams
DURABILITY
CushCore inserts are extremely durable. Our foam is engineered to withstand repeated pounding and flexing without degradation. It does not absorb liquid and is not affected by tire sealant. Service life will depend on your riding frequency, terrain, etc.
INNER-TIRE SUSPENSION
Ideally a tire would act more like a suspension system with both a spring and a damper, where the spring supports the load and the damper dissipates the energy.
CushCore delivers that technology to tires for the first time. It is an engineered foam insert that mounts inside a mountain bike tire and divides the inner volume of the tire in half, with air underneath the tread patch and the CushCore insert next to the rim. They work together as a spring and damper – In other words, an Inner-Tire Suspension System.
Domestic and international patents are pending.
FOAM TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW
In foam manufacturing, it is challenging to combine low weight with high durability.
Most impact absorbing, low-density foams are sacrificial, meaning they are destroyed in a single impact. That's how EPS helmet foam works, and that's why helmet manufacturers recommend you buy a new helmet after a single crash.
CushCore is made from a cutting edge material that does things no other foam can do. It has both low density AND superb impact resilience. The material is also waterproof, compatible with tubeless tire sealant, and tuned for appropriate rebound feel. Its ability to withstand repeated impacts without damage is more typical of foams that weigh twice as much.
Each CushCore insert is born in a huge aluminum mold, a manufacturing process which allows us to create the unique, patent-pending shape. The shape helps secure the tire to the rim, and extends well beyond the rim flange to protect against impacts from all angles. CushCore's special shape also creates the lateral force against the tire sidewalls that gives CushCore the cornering stability and calm ride feel it's known for.
A look at the competition illustrates differences between the materials. Flat Tire Defender is 50 grams heavier than CushCore, yet it fills a much smaller volume within the tire. Huck Norris is made from an open cell foam, which absorbs tire sealant and has only a fraction of the energy absorption capacity of CushCore.
Manufacturing this foam is challenging and expensive compared to other methods, but having tested so many different materials in the three-year development process leading up to the CushCore product launch, we strongly feel there is no contest in overall product quality. The benefits to performance and durability are well worth the initial investment.
CushCore inserts are manufactured in Canada to tightly controlled quality standards.
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