Tire Inserts: The Secret to Conquering Gravel with Confidence

In recent years, tire inserts have emerged as a crucial upgrade for gravel racing, helping riders navigate challenging terrain with greater confidence. Gravel racing often exposes cyclists to sharp rocks, roots, and uneven surfaces, all of which can increase the risk of punctures and rim damage. Tire inserts, typically made from lightweight foam or other innovative materials, sit between the tire and rim, providing extra protection by absorbing impacts.

One of the primary advantages of using tire inserts is the ability to run lower tire pressures. Lower pressures offer improved traction and a more comfortable ride, especially on rough and technical sections of a gravel racecourse. Without inserts, running low pressures increases the risk of damaging rims or suffering a pinch flat. However, tire inserts act as a cushion, preventing such damage by distributing impacts more evenly and providing structural support.

Inserts also help prevent tire burping, a phenomenon where air escapes between the tire bead and rim, which can happen during hard cornering or when hitting sharp obstacles. This is especially important in gravel races or cyclocross where riders frequently encounter unpredictable and rough surfaces, making cornering stability crucial for maintaining speed and control.

While tire inserts add a small amount of weight, the trade-off is often considered worth it for the added durability and control. Gravel racers looking for an edge in performance - whether tackling steep descents, rocky paths, or technical routes - find tire inserts invaluable for increasing both speed and safety.

The typical weight of gravel tire inserts varies depending on the brand, model, and size of the insert. However, on average, gravel tire inserts weigh between 40 to 120 grams per wheel.

Lighter inserts are generally designed to offer minimal protection while keeping weight down, suitable for less aggressive riding, while heavier inserts offer more robust puncture and impact protection, often preferred for rougher terrains or more aggressive riding styles.

Here are a few example weights from popular gravel tire inserts:

• CushCore Gravel/CX Inserts: Around 120 grams per insert.
• Rimpact Gravel Inserts: Around 70 to 100 grams per insert.
• Vittoria Air-Liner Light Gravel – 45 grams per insert
• Vittoria Air-Liner Gravel – 50 grams per insert
• Tubolight EVO gravel – 33 grams per insert

The watts loss due to tire inserts in gravel or mountain bike tires depends on several factors, including the type of insert, tire pressure, tire size, terrain, and riding speed. Typically, tire inserts are designed to minimize energy loss while providing protection, but they can introduce a small amount of rolling resistance. For lightweight inserts (e.g., Vittoria Air-Liner): The added rolling resistance typically results in a 1-3 watt loss per wheel.

As the sport of gravel racing continues to evolve, tire inserts are becoming more widely adopted, particularly among competitive riders looking to minimize downtime from punctures and maximize efficiency over long, grueling races. Whether for professional racers or enthusiasts, tire inserts offer a significant technological advantage in the increasingly popular world of gravel cycling. Each insert comes with a slight trade-off in terms of weight and minimal rolling resistance, but the benefits in durability, safety, and performance typically outweigh these minor drawbacks. It’s clear that gravel racers, especially those tackling technical or unpredictable routes, gain a significant advantage from using tire inserts.

You can buy Vittoria tyres directly from us here:

https://cenos.cc/products/vittoria-airliner-gravel