Worth trying tyre inserts?

I’ve Never damaged a rim, never snake bite a tyre either.

You don't need them IMO.

My son who has broken wheels, dented every rim he's ever owned, damaged tyres and pinch punctures for breakfast, be needs them. 👍

I wouldn’t bother if you’re it getting issues. I was. Running Fortus 30 and same tyres as you. Got an insert and it worked for a while, then it didn’t. So I got DH tyres and ditched the insert and it did the job.

I think they are worth it in the rear, and I have a heavy duty one in my big bike and a Superlight 50g one in my xc race bike.

But I run sub 20psi on both and have broken rims (alu only tho) before because of the lack of support. I've ridden home on an insert when the tyre was not fixable, and I've even ridden in most of an xc lap on one and saved a top 3.

Similarly, I use pretty light carbon rims on both bikes, so I see it as insurance.

I think the argument for inserts on the front is that the insert company makes twice as much money and that's it. You just never hit the front wheel in the same way - as much as people want to talk about a perfect 50/50 weight distribution; it's mostly balls.

I'm not a serial rim killer, but I do run one on the back of my 27.5+ hardtail.
Running a 3.0 tyre at under 15psi means I burp it occasionally, so the insert gives it a bit more support.

You've kind of answered your own question, If you've not really damaged a rim or had a snake bite. You dont really need them.
I run an ARD in the rear but I live in Aberdeenshire, no trail center groomers with us all natural trails with a lot of sharp edged granite.

I tried one as I'd history with breaking various rear wheels and their parts (put it down to riding with folk with far more rear travel than I've got).

It worked to a point but a PITA for taking the tyre on/off and when I bought a new wheelset I just didn't bother putting it back in. A dozen or so rides since, and I don't miss it nor have I broken anything.

If you're not dinging rims then it's probably not worth it but if you're currently running high pressure then they can allow you to go much lower.

I'm using Rimpacts in the rear but I can't say for certain they're making all that much of a difference for me. I'm finding if the tyre is a little under specced for the application then I'm still getting pinch flats with an insert in. If the tyre's fairly burly then I'm not, but would I without the inserts? They must be making some difference but I can't judge how much and it could be very little.

That said, with my rims and tyres they're easy enough to fit and the weight penalty is pretty small, so I'll stick with them.

If you're not having problems with your current setup, then all they will do is add weight. They will give a more damped ride, and allow you to run lower pressures - if you want those things, then there's maybe a benefit for you

I put them onto my CX bike after an issue with a flat that wouldn't seal. And then lo and behold a few weeks later, the valve broke so I lost all pressure instantly and nothing was going to fix it. However I wasn't that far from home so rather than faff around with putting a tube in, pulling out a latex covered AirLiner etc, I just rode home. It felt like riding an under-inflated tyre but without the issues of wrecking the rim. Worked really well.

It's not something I'd want to ride on for hours but for a 15 min trip home where I could fix the wheel in peace with all my tools rather than on a dusty bridleway, it was well worth it.

I had a pinch flat recently, and have dinged my rim a couple of times. One has knocked the rim out a touch although not so bad I need to get my Spokey and OCD out. 27.5" Duroc SD42 with 2.5" Assegai or Aggressor in the rear. I looked at an insert for the rear and settled my mind on Tannusm

Tannus Armour Tubeless seems to be a decent one by their own claims. Or are they blowing their own trumpet loudly?

£29 for a replacement rim if needed. Plus time to rebuild (I do my own). £36.50 for the pool noodle.

Watching Youtube vids, it seems avoidance of issues is by not dropping your tyre pressure too much. But Tannus say less tyre squirm, and less vibration (which, for hardtail, sounds intriguing) although can't ride it flat.

I run a Hans Dampf SG rear on a ex511 rim. Its a pretty solid set up. I ride The Peak and Antur Stiniog (blacks) regularly. I still don't think i need rim inserts.

No

My thoughts on similar riding, similar lack of wheel and tyre destruction and having been looking into them a bit.

I've not yet tried them but as a mostly XC rider I've not had many issues on my occasional trips to CYB, Afan etc and I'm 100kg dressed running a 120mm FS 29r. I run a lightish XC rear tyre Conti something king and I'm minded to save the weight, the faff and the money.

If I was on a hardtail I'd probably do the rear for the trips away benefit and I'm not so daft to think the rear wheel travel isn't saving my skin and rims 😂
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@sam1988 I have a spare 29er rimpact insert if you want to try before you buy?

Some people like the feel. Or, you might choose to go lower pressure, or even lighter tyres in future. So maybw worth trying. I didnt take to 'em but I can defiitely see advantages even in your situation

Yes. Bought some cushcore xc’s on a bit of a whim and really like how they work/feel. Not trashed a tyre since either.

Trying out a Rimpact Pro as have recently damaged two rear rims. Straightforwards to put install, but scratching my head as to how to get the tyre off now.

Trying out a Rimpact Pro as have recently damaged two rear rims. Straightforwards to put install, but scratching my head as to how to get the tyre off now.

Lots of swearing! Also a bit messy.

I've rimpact ones on my Hello Dave. Regular on the front and the tougher type on the rear.

They do change the way the bike feels and the tyres really do need to be run quite soft (20 psi or less). Definitely needed a rear one on the Dave as it's a heavy lump that likes the steep downhills.

On a full sus, I'd not bother unless you thrash rocky descents regularly.