CushCore transforms your tubeless tire into a suspension system with a tune-able air spring and foam damper. The system is based on a somewhat unique concept: Tire Suspension. Any suspension system has a spring and a damper, and with CushCore, pressurized air in the tire is the spring and the CushCore tire insert is the damper. Also like traditional suspension, a constant damping force wouldn’t work. It has to be dynamic. Suspension should be supple on small bumps but firm on big hits. CushCore responds differently depending on the tire loading scenario. The more the tire flexes, the more damping it provides. The company breaks it down into small, medium, and large tire deflections, which effectively graphs out at the CushCore insert turning big bumps into medium bumps, while medium bumps become smalls bumps.

With this insert system, a proprietary closed-cell, polyolefin foam controls compression and rebound forces. The material is lightweight, ultra durable and impervious to sealant. Shape-wise, the patented profile applies constant pressure on the tire sidewalls. This provides protection and stability even at low tire pressures and of course the CushCore insert is designed to fit tight on the rim. The resulting radial tension locks the bead to the rim while maintaining a supple tread patch. While reducing bump impact, helping prevent flats, and actively improving tire suspension for overall ride quality, CushCore also delivers this better contact patch/footprint, even when the wheel is at an angle as you have less tire roll. Creating stiffness from the rim to the sidewall allows the tread to conform without massive tire deformation.

There is no doubt that using CushCore inserts can improve tire suspension, ride quality, and effectively change the way you ride, but you must choose more rotational weight and real cost to gain this. Yet, XC racers in particular can ride faster, safer, and with more confidence on technical terrain with less risk of a race-crushing flat tire. The trade-offs may depend on the nature of the course and rider skill. For non-racing XC riders, especially those choosing epic rides or remote locations, the same benefits carry over. Riders who use large volume trail tires have embraced CushCore's technologies, but XC riders must truly know their own situation and needs to make the best buying decision.