VOLUME 58 ISSUE 27 JULY 7, 2021 P109
READER AN ALYSIS
Installing a mousse insert is not much
different than installing tubes but is
a little more challenging since it is
like installing the tire with an inflated
tube. A good tire stand is helpful and
a few extra tire irons is a must.
To compare the two mousse op-
tions from Nitromousse, we chose
to use the Shinko 216MX front and
520DC (dual Compound) rear tires
on two different bikes. One got the
Platinum inserts and the other got
the Plushie inserts. The 520DC rear
tire utilizes a soft compound in the
center knobs and harder compound
on the outer knobs. It is designed for
traction in extreme conditions and
sacrifices tread life to help achieve
that. From a tire perspective, we
were happy with this choice as we
tested the bikes in technical terrain.
The Nitroumousse Platinum feels
like a standard tube-filled tire. All
mousse inserts will break down with
time and use but these will hold up
for a long time in normal trail riding
conditions. High speed terrain and
heat will make them softer over time
are primarily looking for the conve-
nience of not needing to carry tools
to change a tube on the trail or don't
want to risk a flat ruining your race or
ride, the Platinum mouse is the easy
choice. If you are looking for improved
traction in technical terrain (plus no
risk for flat tires), the Plushie is the
go-to choice.
Cycle News Staff
•NO FLAT TIRES
•OPTION FOR STANDARD OR
SOFT FEEL/IMPROVED TRACTION
•A MOUSSE ADDS 3-4 POUNDS
TO EACH WHEEL
•A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO
INSTALL THAN A TUBE
•NO FLAT TIRES
•A MOUSSE ADDS 3-4 POUNDS
and they will eventually feel more
similar to how the Plushie option
feels to start. Most extreme racers
prefer a used mousse for the soft feel
and increased traction.
As claimed, the Nitroumousse
Plushie provides a much softer feel
right out of the box. This is the best
option if you are looking for improved
traction in technical terrain. The du-
rability is good but like any mousse,
they will break down over time so a
soft mousse will likely get too soft
for your liking. If that does happen
with the Plushie or
any mousse, Ni-
troumousse offers
wedges that can be
stuffed into the tire to
firm things back up
(you cut the mousse
to provide a place to
stuff the wedge in).
It is pretty easy to
decide which of these
two mousse options
is best for you. If you
LOWDOWN
& PLUSH FOAM TIRE INSERTS
List Price: $134.95 each
Website: http://nitromousse.com/
Foam tubes
means not having
to carry all this.
Mousse inserts eliminate the
worry of getting flat tires.