When it comes to tubeless tyre inserts, few brands are as well known as CushCore. The Oregon-based company has been specialising in tubeless inserts since it was founded back in 2017, and has steadily grown its range since then. In addition to the original Pro inserts, CushCore now has specific options for gravel, XC, and bikes with plus tyres.
More recently we’ve seen the arrival of two brand new insert options; E-MTB and Trail. We recently got our hands on the Trail inserts, and here we’ll be taking a look at what’s new and how they differ from the rest of the CushCore range.
CushCore Trail Tubeless Tyre Insert
- Size: 29in
- Weight: 220g (confirmed)
- RRP: $145 AUD (single) – $268 AUD (pair)
As its name implies, the CushCore Trail tubeless tyre insert is designed for trail riding. It straddles the gap between the lightweight XC insert and the thicker Pro insert, aiming to hit the Goldilocks-balance of weight, compliance and impact protection.
Compared to the Pro model, the Trail insert has a slightly lower volume and features a scalloped inner face to reduce rotational weight by around 40g per wheel (220g vs 266g, confirmed). It also incorporates fluted edges that are said to improve flexibility while providing progressive sidewall support. The idea here is that the insert is less noticeable under normal riding situations, while offering increased support the harder you push it through the turns.
Installation
CushCore states the Trail insert is compatible with rims with a 22-35mm inner width, and tyres from 2.1-2.6in wide. We’ve currently got ours set up with a 2.6in wide Maxxis Forekaster and a Stan’s Arch MK4 wheel that features a 28mm inner rim width.
As well as offering a little less weight and a little more flexibility over the Pro insert, the new Trail insert is noticeably easier to install. Of course this is somewhat dependent on the tyre and rim combination, but in our case we found we could get the tyre fully seated without any need for tools.
CushCore includes a bright green anodised tubeless valve in the box, that utilises a slotted head for improved airflow. There’s a corresponding notch in the underside of the insert and additional channels that are said to allow for better flow of both air and tubeless sealant inside the tyre.
Testing the CushCore Trail inserts
Early riding impressions have been favourable, with the Trail insert offering a welcome degree of compliance and vibration absorption. Whereas the Pro insert can sometimes offer too much support that makes a tyre feel a little stiff and wooden, the Trail insert has less of an impact on the overall suppleness of the tyre’s casing.
There’s still a good amount of high-density closed-cell foam between the rim and tyre crown however, and given the excellent experience we’ve had with the Pro and XC inserts over the years, we’d expect the Trail insert to offer a similar level of durability. Enduro racers and downhill riders will still likely want to go with the thicker Pro insert for maximum impact protection and run-flat reliability, but for those who are happy to shed some grams and benefit from a more supple ride quality, the Trail insert could be just the ticket.
