Three new flavours of Norris
Back in 2016, many of us enjoyed similar tubeless technologies that we do today save for one notable exception - the tire insert. The idea of an insert has proven very popular and the current landscape is awash with a slew of options, but we now see a revitalised version of one of the originals with the MegaNorris.
The insert claims to further reduce the risk of punctures by now using a variety of different foam compounds as well as further refinement to the shape. Much like its predecessor, the MegaNorris is built around the idea of the insert 'floating' within the tire and it does not rely on hugging to the well of the rim, as you may well find in other inserts. They claim this enables it to ride as if there is no insert while still giving the benefits of protection and stability.
It's been the undergoing development with the Pole Enduro Race Team and they even a puncture-free season in 2019 whilst using the Hamburger insert
The new shape covers a wider area of the rim and the differing densities of foam are claimed to not only reduce the chance of damaging your wheel or tire but also increase ride quality. The softer of the compounds is there to give small bump compliance whereas the harder compound layer has a greater emphasis on protection.
The MegaNorris range is available in three distinct models with different weights, suggested uses and benefits.
Toast - The lightest option and made solely of the soft compound. It is best suited to XC or trail riding. In full 29" length its weight starts at 125g in the 55mm width option.
Sandwich - The Sandwich uses both compounds. The hard layer sits right on the rim, preventing the hardest of impacts whereas the softer compound is there to smooth out the small bumps. It's slightly burlier than the Toast option, around 80g heavier for the same width, and is suggested for harder trail riding or enduro.
Hamburger - This is the burliest of the three options and uses two hard layers on either side of a soft compound middle. This model is suggested for e-bikes as well as downhill bikes. Weights start at 250g.
Huck Norris also outline other benefits including extra support for the tire during cornering loads, removing the necessity to run higher pressures as well as easier tubeless installation.
More information about MegaNorris, please visit their website.
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My progression has been Exo+Hicknorris, DD+Hucknorris, DD+Rimpact, Wild Enduros+Rimpact, now waiting for the 2 DH34 to arrive
Signed: very happy rider of a Pole Evolink
Also to be clear I'm not talking about how "sticky" they are, because they are very tacky, they just hold their shape better under force.
We are fixing issues one by one. We have improved our customer service and warranty process quite a bit. Not bragging as our reputation is clearly not the best.
It's one of the cheaper and lighter rim protection solutions, though, so that's something to keep in mind.
All that said, I'll be going with cushcore next.
Good luck..
Really, my bike is 4 tough years old and in perfect condition, and it's BY FAR the best bike I've ever ridden. Keep up the focus on customer service and building your brand, and try to get some demos out there (maybe a tough request in covid-times), and those will definitely be steps in the right direction.
I do alone my rims/wheelsets, making them everytime really strong (not weightwennie style), for my 70kg and black/double black trails is this enough.
Also never running "EXO" tires (they last a day or two, in La Thuille 2016 destroyed two Exo Minions in two runs), you put to this Hucks and at least 22psi in front tire.
Where is a problem? I dont see it. And Hucks are light and cheap with discount.
I have a couple of sets of ARDs too, and I have ridden a damaged tire home about a mile with zero rim damage. I wouldn't have tried on a Huck.
And always is at least 50m or more terrain like RnR on Maribor WC track or terrain full of big roots (at least black trail, most of the time double black). Never had any problems or dents on rim because of this...
Would watch.
When your frame snaps before you get a chance to flat a tyre.
Fairly lightweight (160g for 29”), easier to fit than cushcore, good damping and rim protection, etc.
Haven’t tried the old huck Norris, but this new one doesn’t make me want to switch from Tannus, at least at first glance.
I'm using them both front and rear here for the time being, as it is deep in the "wet roots and moss" time of year.
Not tons of rides on them yet, but so far they seem to be working great. They seem to let me run ~4-5psi less, while maintaining cornering support, and not get the dreaded rim dings. Would recommend them if you're insert-curious.
I'm not disputing their efficacy, I'm sure they work great, but my point is that modern tyres shouldn't need an insert in the first place. Sure, MX have used bib-mousse inserts since the 80s but they're designed to replace the air in a tyre, whereas tube inserts still need sealant/tubes and air.
Start designing tyres and rims with a decent bead interface, sidewalls that aren't made of cheese, and fill them with enough PSI to suit the type of riding you're doing. It's not that inserts are a solution for a problem that doesn't exist; they're a compromise for a problem that shouldn't exist to begin with.
When you have an insert to reduce pinch flats, it'll might also reduce damage to the rim because there's extra material between tyres and rims. That's it.
PS: Its funny to get downvoted for stating verifiable facts. Seems like too many people drank the cool-aid and need to keep fooling themselves.
I've run both Huck Norris and Cushcore in the rear and they are very different products at different ends of the spectrum. Huck N were one of the first players in the insert game but feels like the competition has overtaken them so not surprised to see an updated version. One thing I prefer about Cushcore is its run-flat capability.
1) that's exactly what I wrote: it doesn't protect your tyres (because you can get punctures and your sidewall might be ripped) but they protect your rims against damages
2) I've looked at Tannus and although they are being advertised with a tube, they are being sold without one. And because I think they might work without inner tube. That's why I asked: with or without an inner tube?
@motionmakers ordered it for me and got the tubed version, which is pretty heavy but I'd love to maybe try in my DH bike (and that's what @WindrockBikePark uses in their demo fleet with success).
The tubeless one I just got in and have yet to install is 150 grams, light as a feather and said to be very easy to install.
I don't blame them for not preventing the rim dents, that's clearly not what you'll get from this more minimal type of insert, but still managing to get pinches which had no chance of sealing due to how poorly these play with sealant was a deal breaker for me.
Sure, they always look beat to hell with cuts all over them when you pull them out - kinda makes you wonder how many of those hits would have been flats - but ultimately the end result was the same and I was much happier last season on DH casings with no insert.
As I am a moth to the flame, next up is Tannus tubeless with EXO+ to see how that goes.
I ride the North Shore of Vancouver, and the low tire pressure with CushCore is great for the tech trails.
I used to have Huck Norris, it offers some protection, but not much, it cuts really easily from tire pinches.
It is a lot lighter than other inserts though
I can’t imagine running DH tires with 40 psi, that wouldn’t work around here.
Additional layer across the tyre and sidewall and a stronger bead.
Most sealants are useless and majority of inserts don’t do the job of protecting your rim when you want it to. Then you have the issue of carrying it home when you slice a sidewall... all inserts seem a bit useless to me.
Tubeless with better tyres is the best solution, cushcore is the best option but flawed in many ways. I opt for dh casing and try ride smooth and accept the inevitable will happen
I've ridden MegaNorris Sandwich 60mm from 5/2020 to 12/2020. Used one in both ends when racing enduro and then changed a traditional Huck Norris E in the front when the racing season ended and went back to trails and xc style riding. I think... no... I know that MegaNorris is simply a great product. Where I felt the most significant difference between the old and new one was tho, was when I changed tyres to Ice Spiker Pro's on my HT and they could not fit the 60mm MegaNorris inside. To keep my rear wheel from going literally bonkers, I had to pump an annoyingly high amount of air in AND ride slower.
Tire support is also very very good with MegaNorris... as I've compared the old and the new ones, I know how much different they are. The darker compound is much denser and overall the inserts are simply just tougher. Also... no pinch flats or dented wheels but one MegaNorris Sandwich 60mm that has taken a beating.
In the past, I've only tried Pepis Noodles and the difference between them and MegaNorris is night and day. Pepi is an ok product, no doubt, but not even near to MegaNorrises. Can't really tell how to compare to Cushcore or others, as I have no practical experience BUT MegaNorrises are definitely worth the money. Based on my experience with Pepis, I know how much difference it makes that the insert actually sits on the rim and not inside. The protection is better, the damping is better, I THINK that the stress towards the wheel is lower and the support is waaay miles ahead.
I can highly recommend this product for those seeking for a new insert.
Bad CS experience I get, but ignorance here is cute.
I guess if you wanna save $40-50 bucks for a set of inferior tire inserts, that's cool. I've had my CC Pros for nearly 2 years now and they're still as good as day one, and have even ridden them flat to get back to my car several times. No dented or cracked rims.
How many Huck Norris inserts do you think someone goes through in 2 years? The poor man pays twice, or even thrice.
The original HN isn't as extreme as the CC and you can't really compare them.
Sure given the weight of these new ones compare them to the CC but they are not released yet nor do we have a price. I have no interest in using the heavier versions mentioned above.
That white enduroing riding singlet in the first photo is something I need, can you accomodate? in full size pleaese.
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