Cush Core technique. Why the complaints?

Big Bird
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Oceano, CA US
At work at Art's Cyclery, everyone was always struggling and complaining about having to install Cush Core tire inserts. Work times of half an hour or more per wheel were common. Sometimes with up to three people on the job. I finally installed my first set yesterday and found it rather easy. If you just go to the website and watch their how to videos, they really explain it all rather simply. My first one was way quicker than I thought, so I timed myself on the second wheel and did it in just twelve minutes. Even with reduced hand strength due to my MS.

This video... https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ali+clarkson+cushcore helps demonstrate how not just pushing down, but down and in towards the rim on the bead is the key.
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GA902
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Dacono, CO US
9/1/2018 6:30am
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out Laughing

I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens the rubber, makes for easier mounting.
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jeff.brines
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Grand Junction, CO US
9/1/2018 6:37am Edited Date/Time 9/1/2018 6:37am
GA902 wrote:
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out :laugh: I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens...
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out Laughing

I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens the rubber, makes for easier mounting.
I agree with this. So long as I have some tire levers, I can bang out a change in minutes. Even in between stages at a race. Its not a big deal. Compared to moto tires its a joke.

I think with DH casing on certain rims it can be a lot harder. But DH casing on the Reserve wheels I usually rock is no harder than sans cush core.

Its great technology.
Big Bird
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9/1/2018 8:17am
GA902 wrote:
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out :laugh: I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens...
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out Laughing

I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens the rubber, makes for easier mounting.
I did work at a custom motorcycle shop for six years and was wheel man at Zero Motorcycles as a temp worker. Is that cheating?
Skerby
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Ellensburg, WA US
9/13/2018 12:00pm
Two words: Double Down.

I can change moto tires fast, and it's my opinion that the DD beads are pretty dang tight on certain rims. I think the cush core installation complaints have more to do with those tires than anything.
1
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
9/13/2018 1:31pm
GA902 wrote:
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out :laugh: I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens...
Have them change 5-7 moto rears, then they'll figure it out Laughing

I think another key in his video is he's out in the sun. Softens the rubber, makes for easier mounting.
Truth. Cool
DubC
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9/13/2018 5:03pm
Specific tire/rim combos make it easier or harder. One trick I use if installing on a wheel with a tire already on (or a particularly stubborn tire):

just remove the bead from one side of the wheel and leave the other 1/2 of the tire installed against the bead hook. Then install the valves and cushcore with one side of the tire bead already locked in place. Having the one bead in place already seemed to make tucking the second bead down into the rim well a bit easier which is a CRITICAL part of the install.
Big Bird
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9/13/2018 6:40pm
I agree with this. So long as I have some tire levers, I can bang out a change in minutes. Even in between stages at a...
I agree with this. So long as I have some tire levers, I can bang out a change in minutes. Even in between stages at a race. Its not a big deal. Compared to moto tires its a joke.

I think with DH casing on certain rims it can be a lot harder. But DH casing on the Reserve wheels I usually rock is no harder than sans cush core.

Its great technology.
It really should be more about technique than tire levers. Remember, you're the guy busting tire beads with aggressive levering.
spech
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10/26/2018 2:42am
I did my first cushcore in under 20 min no worries it was exo casing used tyre. I did have it on an old rim to make it rounder for 36 hours which helped. Even taking it off was pretty painless. But I just fitted a double down and I checked 3 times to see if it was a 27.5. It was more difficult than I thought it would be, and harder to install 1 side of DD than a whole exo cushcore setup. Don’t even wanna think dh casing.
1
10/29/2018 9:16am
Did an install before going to Outerbike this weekend. First time was a bitch, but then got the process down and other tire was fairly straight forward. Just need to do it a few times.
Loki87
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AT
10/30/2018 6:49am
First rty took me something like 20 minutes including the time it took me to figure out how to roll the tire in order to make it sit inside the rim well so i have more slack to work with. Once you figured out how to work the tire in there, it´s a breeze.
Last few centimeters i used two tire levers, but mostly because it´s easier when the tire is secured on one side by schwalbe´s nifty clip system that prevents it from popping out again.
Oh and may i add, i had an injured hand whilst mounting the tire, so my hand strength was greatly diminished.
So for everyone having problems, take a step back, wrap your brains around how to work the tire into the rim well, then proceed mounting the tire. If things get tough, go round again and push it even further into the rim well. Every small bit helps. If stuck again, repeat pushing the bead into the rim well until you can pop the tire on entirely.
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erik saunders
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Santa Barbara, CA US
10/30/2018 7:03am
with WTB tires i can do it without tire levers... with other brands is needed levers, but the install instructions were easy to follow and made the job painless....

havent installed with Maxxis....the new 2.6 Vigilantes are great by the way...
jasbushey
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Durango, CO US
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10/30/2018 8:28am
I for the life of me can't get an Aggressor DD WT 2.5 mounted to an Ibis 35mm rim with Huck Norris. Can't imagine adding cush core.
10/30/2018 9:55am
jasbushey wrote:
I for the life of me can't get an Aggressor DD WT 2.5 mounted to an Ibis 35mm rim with Huck Norris. Can't imagine adding cush...
I for the life of me can't get an Aggressor DD WT 2.5 mounted to an Ibis 35mm rim with Huck Norris. Can't imagine adding cush core.
well dont use cushcore with the huck norris together
10/31/2018 11:49am
Loki87 wrote:
First rty took me something like 20 minutes including the time it took me to figure out how to roll the tire in order to make...
First rty took me something like 20 minutes including the time it took me to figure out how to roll the tire in order to make it sit inside the rim well so i have more slack to work with. Once you figured out how to work the tire in there, it´s a breeze.
Last few centimeters i used two tire levers, but mostly because it´s easier when the tire is secured on one side by schwalbe´s nifty clip system that prevents it from popping out again.
Oh and may i add, i had an injured hand whilst mounting the tire, so my hand strength was greatly diminished.
So for everyone having problems, take a step back, wrap your brains around how to work the tire into the rim well, then proceed mounting the tire. If things get tough, go round again and push it even further into the rim well. Every small bit helps. If stuck again, repeat pushing the bead into the rim well until you can pop the tire on entirely.
Are these the Schwable Tire Levers w/ the clips you're referring to?

Schwalbe Tire Levers

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