Thanks for your ongoing insert-testing, Cam -- very helpful to get some insights on all the different products on the market. I was initially swayed to trying CushCore by the evangelizing of, ahem, a previous contributor on this site, along with Geoff Kabush's long-term affiliation with the brand. Now I've gotten hooked on inserts, even for gravel bikes, and hunting down the best combination for each bike is the new endeavor of bike-optimization.
I haven't been thrilled about the Air Liner "Light" for XC usage, despite some high hopes -- it just doesn't have the consistent damping and anti-squirm effect on an ~800g, 2.35/2.4 XC tire the way CushCore XC does. I found that, in terms of rim protection and run-flat (or near-flat) ability, I can run roughly the same* low pressures with the AL Light as I would with a CushCore XC, and shave some rotating weight along the way, but the ride feel really suffers.
I can't exactly put a finger on it, but something about the AL Light inserts make the wheels feel kind of wandery, vague, or inconsistent, especially when trying to pump through or corner over the smallish roots and rocks that litter New England trails. The likely explanation in my mind is that, 1) the AL Light is designed for "up to" 2.4 tires, so it's just not enough volume; and/or 2) the AL Light has a kind of "Y" shape that doesn't make enough contact with the tire above the bead of the rim, allowing the tire to roll/deflect more.
All of this compared to Cushcore XC, which has a more parabolic "U" shape, as the usual option for me on hardtails and 100-120mm travel XC bikes. I wish I liked the Air Liner Light and could swap the Air Liner Protects in for my Cushcore Trail inserts on the 150mm bike, which would definitely shave some weight. But based on my AL Light experience I'd probably prefer to go up to a dual-ply tire on that bike (which seems to be the trend) rather than going from CC to AL simply on the basis of grams. Heck, the dual-ply swap (say from Schwalbe Super Trail or Trail Pro, to Super Gravity / Gravity Pro) would likely save weight anyhow.
\* With Cushcore XC inserts, I'm typically running 21-22psi rear, 17-18psi front for anything from damp to dusty conditions here in the Northeastern U.S., classic slow-speed rooty and jumbly XC trails, 195lb./6'3" rider.
Jan. 10, 2025, 10:27 a.m. - gubbinalia
Thanks for your ongoing insert-testing, Cam -- very helpful to get some insights on all the different products on the market. I was initially swayed to trying CushCore by the evangelizing of, ahem, a previous contributor on this site, along with Geoff Kabush's long-term affiliation with the brand. Now I've gotten hooked on inserts, even for gravel bikes, and hunting down the best combination for each bike is the new endeavor of bike-optimization. I haven't been thrilled about the Air Liner "Light" for XC usage, despite some high hopes -- it just doesn't have the consistent damping and anti-squirm effect on an ~800g, 2.35/2.4 XC tire the way CushCore XC does. I found that, in terms of rim protection and run-flat (or near-flat) ability, I can run roughly the same* low pressures with the AL Light as I would with a CushCore XC, and shave some rotating weight along the way, but the ride feel really suffers. I can't exactly put a finger on it, but something about the AL Light inserts make the wheels feel kind of wandery, vague, or inconsistent, especially when trying to pump through or corner over the smallish roots and rocks that litter New England trails. The likely explanation in my mind is that, 1) the AL Light is designed for "up to" 2.4 tires, so it's just not enough volume; and/or 2) the AL Light has a kind of "Y" shape that doesn't make enough contact with the tire above the bead of the rim, allowing the tire to roll/deflect more. All of this compared to Cushcore XC, which has a more parabolic "U" shape, as the usual option for me on hardtails and 100-120mm travel XC bikes. I wish I liked the Air Liner Light and could swap the Air Liner Protects in for my Cushcore Trail inserts on the 150mm bike, which would definitely shave some weight. But based on my AL Light experience I'd probably prefer to go up to a dual-ply tire on that bike (which seems to be the trend) rather than going from CC to AL simply on the basis of grams. Heck, the dual-ply swap (say from Schwalbe Super Trail or Trail Pro, to Super Gravity / Gravity Pro) would likely save weight anyhow. \* With Cushcore XC inserts, I'm typically running 21-22psi rear, 17-18psi front for anything from damp to dusty conditions here in the Northeastern U.S., classic slow-speed rooty and jumbly XC trails, 195lb./6'3" rider.