First of all - inserts are a game changer. Decided to go with Panzer inserts as seemed a good balance based on the Pinkbike reviews. Even with reasonable pressures (30psi plus) and decent sidewalls (Maxxis DD or WTB 'Tough' casings) was getting a lot of rear tubules pinch flats before inserts (not really had this issue before on normal bike), and the water drainage ditches in the highlands of Scotland claimed a rear tire every single 'big ride'. Not sustainable!
Inserts have eradicated that issue. Amazing. Also, does anyone else experience the 'WHANG!' of your rear wheel on big hits in a rock garden? Or even at the bottom of a fast staircase? Well, now, only silence. Amazing. All this at 20psi front ant 25psi back, which for a heavy guy is crazy low.
So: traction, support, protection. Lovely.
But, my god, the trade off - fitting and insert and a tire. Or as I found out last night, taking a tire off to replace with a new one. Jesus wept.
Panzer is supposed to be one of the easiest, christ knows how bad a crush core or similar might be. I have badly damaged rims before with tough tires using a too big metal tire lever, so I only use plastic levers, technique and big thumbs.
Holy moly - putting the tires on the first time was hard work. keep working the bed down past the insert into the rim bed, work it, work it, then get. that. last. bit. of. tire. bead. in. the... RIMMMMMMMM. RAAARRGGHGHGHGHHGH!
Hard work on the hands!
But last night, I discovered that taking a worn down tire off is even harder. Getting the bead to separate from the rim is sometimes challenging without an insert, but now there is a giant pool noodle in the tire preventing any of the usual techniques. I managed it eventually, but now have pretty useless hands and forearms - grip strength is somewhat minimal!
I equate it to the feeling of trying to grip a big, heavy, cardboard box, when you've already been handling other boxes so your skin has no natural grip left. Trying to get that tire to pop off the bead was mental. I was laughing out loud whist indeed shouting "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!!!" to get it to release. Managed it, channeling my inner he-man, but good lord I am not looking forward to the next time!
In summary - game changer, with a pretty big trade off!
Inserts have eradicated that issue. Amazing. Also, does anyone else experience the 'WHANG!' of your rear wheel on big hits in a rock garden? Or even at the bottom of a fast staircase? Well, now, only silence. Amazing. All this at 20psi front ant 25psi back, which for a heavy guy is crazy low.
So: traction, support, protection. Lovely.
But, my god, the trade off - fitting and insert and a tire. Or as I found out last night, taking a tire off to replace with a new one. Jesus wept.
Panzer is supposed to be one of the easiest, christ knows how bad a crush core or similar might be. I have badly damaged rims before with tough tires using a too big metal tire lever, so I only use plastic levers, technique and big thumbs.
Holy moly - putting the tires on the first time was hard work. keep working the bed down past the insert into the rim bed, work it, work it, then get. that. last. bit. of. tire. bead. in. the... RIMMMMMMMM. RAAARRGGHGHGHGHHGH!
Hard work on the hands!
But last night, I discovered that taking a worn down tire off is even harder. Getting the bead to separate from the rim is sometimes challenging without an insert, but now there is a giant pool noodle in the tire preventing any of the usual techniques. I managed it eventually, but now have pretty useless hands and forearms - grip strength is somewhat minimal!
I equate it to the feeling of trying to grip a big, heavy, cardboard box, when you've already been handling other boxes so your skin has no natural grip left. Trying to get that tire to pop off the bead was mental. I was laughing out loud whist indeed shouting "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!!!" to get it to release. Managed it, channeling my inner he-man, but good lord I am not looking forward to the next time!
In summary - game changer, with a pretty big trade off!
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