I've recently stopped using inserts (Tannus). Because, while I'm not a weight weenie, I like to keep things reasonable.
I was using them with EXO+ tires and thought I had a pretty good thing going until... I got a pretty good long gash through the tread on my rear tire that multiple slices of thick quality bacon just could not fix. I also got a pretty significant rim dent which I was able to fix pretty well. Little flat spot and some shiny metal, but works just fine.
I didn't have a tube... so I walked it out (wasn't too far). (Had bacon, CO2, a pump, etc, etc.)
But it got me thinking... so if the EXO+ tread isn't beefy enough for my riding, then I should upgrade to a DD in the rear... but if I'm going DD, do I need an insert and DD? And do I want all the weight of a DD tire plus an insert?
So, I pulled both inserts out for now... running a naked EXO+ up front and a naked DD in the rear. So far I feel like I'm actually missing the insert up front the most and the rear feels pretty good. Might put it back in the front and keep testing.
I also have to admit how much I'm enjoying being able to swap tires etc and not deal with an insert... I had gotten quite good at dealing with them, but not dealing with them, is very nice.
We'll see I guess.
Aug. 1, 2023, 3:07 p.m. - IslandLife
I've recently stopped using inserts (Tannus). Because, while I'm not a weight weenie, I like to keep things reasonable. I was using them with EXO+ tires and thought I had a pretty good thing going until... I got a pretty good long gash through the tread on my rear tire that multiple slices of thick quality bacon just could not fix. I also got a pretty significant rim dent which I was able to fix pretty well. Little flat spot and some shiny metal, but works just fine. I didn't have a tube... so I walked it out (wasn't too far). (Had bacon, CO2, a pump, etc, etc.) But it got me thinking... so if the EXO+ tread isn't beefy enough for my riding, then I should upgrade to a DD in the rear... but if I'm going DD, do I need an insert and DD? And do I want all the weight of a DD tire plus an insert? So, I pulled both inserts out for now... running a naked EXO+ up front and a naked DD in the rear. So far I feel like I'm actually missing the insert up front the most and the rear feels pretty good. Might put it back in the front and keep testing. I also have to admit how much I'm enjoying being able to swap tires etc and not deal with an insert... I had gotten quite good at dealing with them, but not dealing with them, is very nice. We'll see I guess.