I typically run trail casing tires with inserts but thinking about moving to a heavier duty casing without them. Who has had time running both setups?
EXO with insert or DD without?
jalopyj
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But so do inserts. That's why on my 'pedaly' wheelset I tend to run a semi-slick in a moderately heavy casing out back. Weight ends up being similar to an EXO Minion but I still get a heavier casing.
My experiment with Double Down without inserts did not last long.
22 PSI. 155LB rider.
Came off a small 2-3 ft. jump but it looks like I simply landed right on a hidden root or rock.
Other thoughts: I really like the feel of DD, but the weight penalty and added rolling ristance, especially with DD MaxxGrip Assegai out front, is not insignificant.
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22 PSI. 155LB rider.
Came off a small 2-3 ft. jump but it looks like I simply landed right on a hidden root or rock.
Other thoughts: I really like the feel of DD, but the weight penalty and added rolling ristance, especially with DD MaxxGrip Assegai out front, is not insignificant.
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3,819 Posts
The rim defo folded, did the tire get a pinch hole?
FWIW- I know this will garner a bunch of side-eye and raised eyebrows, but I after killing YET ANOTHER EXO Aggressor + Tannus Insert, I recently installed a DoubleDown aggressor, plus the insert. inflated to 28psi. (I'm 165#)
I swear to the bike gods, if I destroy this tire with a rock puncture, I'm setting the whole thing on fire and walking home, because I'm obviously cursed.
FWIW- I know this will garner a bunch of side-eye and raised eyebrows, but I after killing YET ANOTHER EXO Aggressor + Tannus Insert, I recently installed a DoubleDown aggressor, plus the insert. inflated to 28psi. (I'm 165#)
I swear to the bike gods, if I destroy this tire with a rock puncture, I'm setting the whole thing on fire and walking home, because I'm obviously cursed.
Just rim damage. No pinch flat from what I can tell.
I am moving on from DD up front. Just a bit too much for what I need. Going back to my Mazza with trail casing and insert.
Once I relace the new wheel I’ll probably stick with DD out back but with inserts.
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I'm sure it says a lot about my (lack of) technique, but I've never needed more than an EXO casing Assegai up front. I don't even use an insert anymore.
But literally every rear tire I've installed in the past year has met a premature end due to a sidewall rip or a massive tread hole. They've all been EXO, EXO+ or Vittoria trail casings, with a Tannus tubeless insert.
It helps that I'm apparently not the only one needing heavy casings and inserts.
After about 6 months with a DD Aggressor 29 x 2.3 on the rear and no flats or even burps, I took it off. Lately I've been doing more group rides which are mostly blue / xc dirt trails. I ride the steeps by myself usually which has been less lately. Keeping up with group while spinning on the flats with the DD casing is really a noticeable drag. Rolling resistance basically sucks. I've been running it with 30psi (I'm 235lbs) which helps the rolling a little, but ruins the grip. I actually never really got a flat tire with my old EXO Aggressor, but lots of leaks all over and burps daily. Just kept pouring more sealant in and that kept it rolling. So I just installed a 29 x 2.4 Dissector Maxxterra EXO on the rear. Right from the first few pedals it felt lighter and rolled noticeably better. I may install an insert down the road to reduce the burps. I've run a 29 x 2.5 DHF EXO on my front for years now and never had a problem with flats or leaks. Not a ton of rocky trails where I ride. Lots of dry loose dirt, dust and sand. Booger dirt.
I rode 25 miles of XC dirt with a group yesterday ( few downhill sections). With the the new Dissector w/ EXO casing my bike actually coasts! That was so nice on a long ride. The DD casing was great flat protection insurance, but you pay the price of feeling like you are pedaling through thick sand... always. No coasting at all.
Is this even with the same tread and compound? Dissector MaxxTerra I assume for both DD vs. EXO?
No. It was an Aggressor DD. But I've had DHR's, Aggressor's, Dissector's with different compounds in EXO and never noticed anything different with the rolling, just grip in different conditions. The Aggressor in a DD casing was the first DD I've ever owned. It had it's benefits: *stiff sidewalls were very predictable in the turns and through ruts. *plowing down sharp rock gardens and never getting little sidewall leaks. *no burps at all... BUT, it's heavy and super draggy. I tried to ignored it for the past 6 months and played around with different tire pressures, but the drag was still there.
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I used to be able to get away with exo, now I can’t get away with anything less than exo+ and cushcore or DH casing without cushcore.
If you like the dissector but don’t like paying for overpriced tires, try out a specialized eliminator or a continental xynotal. Once you leave the maxxis train you won’t go back [emoji16]
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One of the guys I rode with yesterday who has worked at a bike shop for most of his career, said I should get the EXO+ and CC. CushCore XC version adds some weight, but he says it's not like heavy DD or DH tires.
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I’ve had the best luck so far with cushcore pro and cushcore equivalent (versus trail casing and specialized grid trail), but if you aren’t riding crazy stuff then cushcore xc will be totally fine. That or rimpact
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