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For anyone looking for cheap tyre inserts Planet X have them for £15 inc valves (and spare core and removal tool)
Not sure how good they are as I’m running Vittoria air liners (about 8 times the price)
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/WSBARANA/barbieri-anaconda-puncture-protection-system-inc-carbon-tubeless-valves
Blimey and I was thinking of doing it DIY.
Price going up on Monday.
Be good if they sold them in singles - just need one for back of my hardtail
Couple of sets arrived today. Will fit tomorrow so I’ll do a mini report then on the install.
So which one do you but if you have 27.5x2.6 tyres? 😶
Ordered for the kids bike, cheers!
Great psa
Terrene tyres for 13.99 after discount is ridiculous value. Going to get a pair see what they are like
The Terrene Chunk 2.3in is a very decent trail bike tyre, got one a while ago. I'd only use it on the rear though.
Looks a good price including valves but I can see why they are so cheap
https://www.dortechdirect.co.uk/50mm-grey-closed-cell-circular-polyethylene-foam-backer-rod.html
£16 for 10x 2 metres 50mm or £12 for 40mm
Was chatting to the sales lad when picking up huddersfield, loads of sales to mtbers
I’m looking at it as a set of tubeless valves with some free ‘inserts’.
Have actually got some 50mm backing rod for work and it looks basically the same.
Will give it a try anyway.
How do you work out what size backer rod for different width tyres. I want to fit some to my commuter which has 28mm tyres which are already tulles but due to the state of some of the roads I have to go down I can feel the rim get hit regularly also which width would I go for for 2.35 tyres 40 or 50?
If you are looking at it for the valves, 35mm is a bit short for deeper rims lilke some carbon ones.
Interested to hear reviews from buyers once they've had a chance to try them. From reviews of other inserts there appears to be a compromise to choose between weight and effectiveness. These are very light
Might be a silly question but I will ask it anyway.
Douse the Stan’s soak into the foam?
Fitted them to a mates bike a few weeks ago. Imo it handles horribly now. Back end is all over the place. That and being horrific with a Trail Boss to fit, means a no from me.
The Nobby nic went in easier.
Ordered Sunday morning and they were delivered today .. incredible service
I've just fitted the Anacondas to 27.5 2.8 maxxis tyres and had a quick test.
Surprised how light they are. The compound is more hard plastic feeling foam than a spongey rubber and don't feel particularly pliable so don't know how this will affect durability. But does seem like it's shouldn't absorb too much sealant.
Valves have nice features, I cap over the slot to stop the insert blocking the hole.
They take up most of the volume of the tyre. Fitting was easier than expected but I did spill some sealant as it was displaced by the insert if not careful. Not as tight on the rim as FTD so easier to get the tyre on.
Riding
They seem to offer good amount of rim protection because the tyre bottoms out on the insert quicky. Not tried a full hit in to something that I know will kill a tyre with out an insert. There is a set of roots I use that if hit wrong (or right in this case) you catch the last one very heavy, I've dented rims before on it but I definitely felt the insert blocking the impact.
It would probably work to limp the end of a ride keeping the tyre on the rim with a puncture.
Cornering hard you can feel the tyre running on the insert, at lower pressure this feels very odd as the tyre squirming but with the firm support of the insert, maybe wallow and pushing kind of feel.
I need to have more time on them to see if there is a sweet spot pressure. But I felt the compound is too firm or fast to rebound as you really can feel when your on the insert. They don't have the same damping feel of the Flat Tyre Defender.
With low pressure the grip on a really low speed steep slippery off camber was impressive with the tyre deforming to have a massive contact patch, but it didn't feel at all precise to hold a line.
I might end up trimming the top of the insert down to try to get some more air space between the tyre insert and improve the softness.
"Douse the Stan’s soak into the foam?"
I think there are two types of foam, open-cell and closed-cell, depending on whether the gaps in the foam are sealed. I'm guessing these are closed-cell.
Fitting was easier than expected
Good to hear cheers, I've also got a pair to put in Maxxis 2.8in tyres.
I've just received a pair to try on some WTB i29 rims and a new 2.3 Hans Dampf.
interesting to see if I've bought some nice sidewall and rim protection or some pool noodles for holiday!
Rode them some more last night, my conclusion is they are too fast to rebound and make the ride harsh and hard work, they also don't seem to roll as quickly therefore the benefits of pluss is lost. Cornering when there is some grip lower pressure the tyre deforms down to the insert and the seems to slide around on it making, this makes the front feel like it's pushing out.
At a pressure that prevents this squirming the tyre rebounds off things harshly so catching roots mid corner kicks you off line a lot more than it should. I had to slow the suspension rebound to compensate. I also think the volume of the 2.8-3 in a 2.8" maxxis is too large.
They definitely do offer rim protection but I don't think it's worth the loss in confidence.
It's not so bad in the back but the front is too much.
I will report back when I've tried trimming the top off to try to give the tyre some space...
Anyone else querying the size of the inserts received? The sizes on the website don’t really correspond to the sizes on the packaging, which gives a tyre size and rim width. There’s no indication as to which size you’ve got beyond a sticker placed by PX (presumably) on the packaging...
apart from that uncertainty, they look good, nice and light, valves look good. Happy and hoping they fit!
@K, this seems to be the consensus with this type of insert. I've just purchased one of those backer rods in the link above. I intend to cut it along its length to get a semi-circle insert. That way it should protect the rim and allow the tyre to compress as it should.
Done 3 rides on mine
650b maxxis minion dhf 2.5 wt
Fitted to 30mm rims
Went in easy and everything is perfect.
I wasn't expecting to run lower pressures even though they take up quite a bit of the volume in the tyre.
I run very conservative pressures usually but have gone 24_22psi and it feels perfect.
No issues like above poster but knowing how plus tyres can squrm with low pressures that could be an issue for him .
Based on the concerns above, I ordered another 26" set but went for the smaller 1.9-2.25 size this time figuring it would stop the need to slice open the noodle and keep the outer surface as low surface area to avoid sealant waste.
Will install soon.
I ordered these thinking they may be the answer to protecting my soft Hope enduro rims after putting some small dings after some particularly poor line choices on my hardtail, but after riding with them at the weekend they will be coming out and I'll take the risk on the rim!
I ran them with Maxxis DHF and Aggressor 2.3" tyres, my go-to tyres, playing with pressures and they transformed the bike from a playful stable bike, to an almost unrideable mess. You can feel the point where you transfer from being on the tyre, to running on the insert in corners and it feels like the tyre has lost grip momentarily. At the rear the rebound of the insert pings all over the place.
I'll wash off the sealant and the kids can use them in the paddling pool when the weather improves where I think they will be more fit for purpose....
No idea why your getting rebound issues .remember these aren't Intended to allow you to run very low pressure. If any the you should be running close or bang on your regular psi and these should he a backup for a mistakes or to protect the rim if you flatten suddenly
The rebound issue is because they take up air volume in the tyre therefore the pressure increases faster to a given deformation (like volume spacers in your air spring but they are foam so will compress under pressure) If the insert is made from a faster rebounding material this will amplify the affect of the tyre returning to faster and therefore pushes harder against the suspension and increasing the force felt as rebound.
To contrast I've got another brand fitted to another bike and they actually make the tyres feel calmer, with them in I actually run a couple of clicks faster on the suspension rebound to give more of a pop feel. I was hoping that the Anaconda would have the same kind of effect.
I've been running ratbite inserts to good effect on my full sus. Similar to these but closer to half tyre volume so doesn't seem to effect initial give in the tyre. Very light too, so will see how durable they are but also very cheap. Just got a pair for my travel bike so will see how they go.
Does anyone know the diameter of the 29x3.0 anaconda foam?
Pass. I ordered the 2.3-2.5 and they are massive. I can see why there are comments as above lack of air space, looks like they will fill the tyre completely!
I think mine will be used for swimming, the valves look good though. But from comments above and seeing them as they've arrived, I am very dubious about using them.
To contrast I’ve got another brand fitted to another bike and they actually make the tyres feel calmer
What is the other brand you’re using?
Fitted one to the rear on the full sus never got round to the front and used the bike of two rocky days in the lakes (Walna scar and Helvellyn) and a worry for the Hope w35s at the best of times , running at 24 psi rear with a 2.5 the rims are still true and un dented ,, well worth the £18 spent
I disagree with the comments about them affecting the handling of the bike. Just fitted them to my other bike (FS 170mm travel) and been at BPW last weekend. Didn't notice any difference to the handling of saod bike at all & so far 100% success rate of defending against flats! So all good in my book & I want to fit some to my 29er, but none in stock, hence trying to find the diameter of the 29+ kit so I can purchase some foam separately...
I'm going to 180 on the above comments and fit them this weekend. Will report back (peachos if I don't get on with them I'll post them to you if you want them?)
Nice one, I'll take them off you if you don't get on with them. Will check back next week.
I fitted a pair over the weekend (went in quite easily thankfully). Got them on special for £12.50 a couple of weeks ago.
They are a good snug fit, around the rim, but not too much force required to get them on.
I'm running a 2.3 Spesh Hillbilly up front, and a 2.5 WTB Convict on the back.
Had a first run out on them last night and i'm really impressed. I'm sure the back will protect the rim well, but it was up front i was most impressed. Running lower pressures (about 20-22psi i reckon) up front and tested on a range of surfaces from rocky boulders to fast flat corners the grip was way better. No discernable tyre squirm or burps, just grip and lots of it.
Dead impressed.
Thinking about these for alps trip carbon wheel protection,but interesting that there's real division in the reviews. Rat bites website has notice that they've ceased trading so unless there's other low cost options I don't know about this seems worth testing.
I'll do some test rides ahead of the trip but wondered if it's worth getting the smaller tyre width version to provide a bit more air space...or would that just mean it's not seated properly?
Maybe try Rimpact as an alternative to Ratbite
Ta, but £37.99's a bit different just to try out though
The rebound issue is because they take up air volume in the tyre therefore the pressure increases faster to a given deformation (like volume spacers in your air spring but they are foam so will compress under pressure) If the insert is made from a faster rebounding material this will amplify the affect of the tyre returning to faster and therefore pushes harder against the suspension and increasing the force felt as rebound.
The squishiness shouldn't change. As you said "like volume spacers in your air spring but they are foam so will compress under pressure" i.e. nothing like volume spacers. When inflated to 29.4psi it's volume will be about 1/3 what it was on the outside.
I suppose if you bottom it out then you're locally increasing the pressure by reducing the volume of the foam itself locally. Whereas normally the volume of the whole tyre is changing and the pressure increase is relatively low. But you'd only feel that in the last 1/3rd of the 'travel' before the rim bottoms out, i.e. the exception rather than the rule.
Ta, but £37.99’s a bit different just to try out though
The Rimpact inserts are really good. If you do smash a rim without one, you'll look back and think it would have been quite cheap.
so it seems these are quite large? has anyone tried the size down? i've got 2.4s on the fs and 3s on my plus worth getting the size below?
Well, I have just tried to fit the 27.5+ size into a Specialized Butcher 2.8 on a 35mm internal rim. I have given up for the night. There is no air void at all, and when battle resumes in the morning I am going to have to lube everything up with a film of washing up liquid and hope my fingers have recovered. What a way to spend a Friday night...
The Rimpact inserts are really good. If you do smash a rim without one, you’ll look back and think it would have been quite cheap.
4 rides on my new bike with rimpacts.. 2 dead tires and one broken carbon rim.. not working out well for me
🙁
Not riding the same kind of bikes with the anacondas.. but sizing down seems to make sense.
Round two is a no go. There is no way I am going to get the tyre mounted with the insert inside. I am going to have to trim it.
Should I trim:
The inside circumference?
The outside circumference?
The sides? (I think this is no)
Cut a v shaped groove?
Yo CL.
I've found (in my limited experience) that the issue getting tires mounted with these things in is that you really struggle to drop the bead into the rim bed.
I would think shaping the inner circumference to allow the bead to tuck under the insert and into the trough whilst keeping the profile as wide as possible to protect from sidewall pinches would be best. Doing that without a hot wire might be tricky though.
Removing material from the outer might let you chase the insert around a little to drop that bead, but its still going to be tight when you get to your last few inches of bead as the inserts don't really stretch a great deal.
However bearing in mind the early posters feedback on not having an air gap then you will probably want to remove some material off the outer circumference anyway.. so might be worth starting there?
My 2c
Cheers Jonny. I might try to rig up a hot wire arrangement. What is the worst that could happen?
The Vittoria Airliners have a wee void around the rim bed and a void on the outer circumference.
I’ve got the Rimpact ones. Pretty straightforward fitting provided you inflate and seat the tyre bead first then unseat and remove one bead and insert the liner. Then stuff the tyre bead down the side of the liner.
That all said, I put a massive dent in the rim on the first ride so not particularly convinced.
@Troutwrestler - did you cut them down - have any joy?
After battling to get the tyres on over the inserts, I've failed to get them to seal. Not sure it is the inserts, the tape is old and I may well have punctured it with the heavy handed mounting.
So I've a decision ahead of next week's trip- new tape but ditch the inserts or try again with the whole lot.....d
I've been running the planet X ones for a while on a 160mm full sus. They seem pretty good. I normally have about 38 psi in the rear so that I can avoid most rim strikes, but I've gone to just under 35 and had some pretty hard square edge rock hits (bobming down cadair idris!) and no marks on the rim.
I suspect if you're running silly low pressures the foam would make the tyre feel weird- these are a way to get away with a bit less pressure but you can't be silly. If you're running too low pressure you'll just roll your tyre anyway. I don't notice anything in terms of reduced grip. No problems riding steep wet rooty mini-dh trails. I'll happily buy again in the future
I cut one of mine down in to two (inner and outer) with a thin sharp knife. It cuts really easily just go steady to keep on track with a little bit of a sawing action. I was going to use a hot wire cutter with guide jig but got inpatient and thought I need to make a hole to thread the wire so pushed a the knife through.
It has worked really well and given a better feel on the front.
A lot easier to fit the tyre.
Turned the outer one inside out so the flat is on the outside. That one is a bit loose so next time I take the tyre off I'll also shorten it a little and zip tie.
Cutting it down supports other poster's ideas of having more air volume....and also making the tyre easier to fit sounds a bonus - tempted to do that....
I haven't tried again yet. It might be a couple of weeks until I can get the peace to give it a go.
FWIW, I think cutting it in half loses too much material. I an tempted to take a slice off equivalent to 1/4 or 1/5 of the total diameter.
Thread ressurection.
@mattbee did you compare the density of the Anacondas with the backer rod? Did there seem to be much difference?
@Scienceofficer The claimed weight for the Anacondas is 122g per pair. You mentioned in the DIY insert thread that 2M(enough for one 29er) of 50mm backer weighs 110g. This would suggest that the Anacondas are less dense than backer rod. Or could they be a different material?
Feel pretty similar to backer rod to me.
Have had them fitted for a few months now, not noticed any negative effects. Guess I’ll see how they look when I change back to summer tyres eventually!
Cheers!
density depends on volume and mass. For the anacondas to be less dense they would have to have a larger volume than the backer rods by about 11%
61g vs 110g? Assuming a simillar volume. Actually, just checked and the quoted weight is for 26" small so not a fair comparison anyway.
The the perceived wisdom that these things are better than Backer rod, or are they much of a muchness...?
The answer to your question Jordan is I don't know.
I don't use backer rod any more, I use rimpact. Backer rod does work, but I found it not especially resistant to cuts at my preferred pressures.
I was swapping out backer rod every 4 months or so and concluded it needed to be denser than I could find it to be a viable longer term, low faff solution.
It was much more cut resistant with a skin of gorilla tape, but it peeled off too readily and became more and more of a faff to implement a system that wasn't any better than some of the cheaper inserts like rimpact.
Still, it was a cheap thing to try at a time when cost effective alternatives weren't available like they are now.
I use rimpact. Backer rod does work, but I found it not especially resistant to cuts
How are you getting on with the Rimpacts? I like the feel they give but they appear to be a consumable
@Scienceofficer Cheers! Cost effectiveness certainly comes into this and yes there are certainly cheaper products on the market these days.
How are you getting on with the Rimpacts? I like the feel they give but they appear to be a consumable
All of these inserts are consumables, even Cushcore state that they need to be replaced at some point.
Backer road is cheap, but requires too much swapping out. I've not actually looked at my rimpact. It's in my hardtail's rear wheel so it's unlikely I'll get to it untill the dry part of summer when speeds go up and ground hardness begins to make my vision blur and I switch to the FS.
My PX tyre inserts are so tight I can’t let air out of the tyres. Other than that they are great.
I had the same issue, but I didn't use the supplied valves. I just removed the valve core and used an allen key to force the insert away, replaced the core and pumped the tyre up to 25psi on my track pump. Worked for me.