68nova200
Well-Known Member
Do you need cushcore? MAYBE. Do you want cushcore? YES. Does cushcore make you a better rider? My recent PR's say its possible.
I am a big guy that has made more than one set of wheels into a square. I upgraded to a wider wheelset a few weeks ago and realized that I didn't want to destroy another rim from my largeness. So I bought cushcore only because I had a giftcard. Then 2 days later before even getting cushcore in the mail, I tore a sidewall on an unassuming rock in a place I have never ridden. Did this confirm my purchase before I installed the inserts? Heck yeah. First off installation is nowhere near as hard as people online make it out to be, from unboxing to installed was less than 30 minutes for both wheels. My first ride on them was an easy 12 miles of double track with a smattering of four birds trail. Immediately I noticed a lack of felt handlebar harshness from small bumps. I ride a 2018 giant anthem 2 so its a middle of the line travel bike... My second ride was one of my normal loops around Wildcat. Line choice seemed less important. I was able to bomb through the eternal rock gardens with ease. I didn't feel the rim impacts from before. The bike was silent. My third ride I lowered the tire pressure farther than normal. Traction increased dramatically. I can push the front end into corners like never before. I also found myself using only the front brake in corners now, which dramatically increased my cornering and descending. I went from timid to aggressive in the corners overnight. Is this from cushcore or a false sense of confidence in new fancy parts? Time will tell I guess. I also feel an improvement in climbing through rock gardens, maybe this is from skill building, maybe its from cushcore. Bottom line is that cushcore is worth it for me. And it might be for you too. But I'm just a casual rider. Go ahead and hate on my unprofessional review of a great product, but I don't think I'll be able to ride without them from now on.
I am a big guy that has made more than one set of wheels into a square. I upgraded to a wider wheelset a few weeks ago and realized that I didn't want to destroy another rim from my largeness. So I bought cushcore only because I had a giftcard. Then 2 days later before even getting cushcore in the mail, I tore a sidewall on an unassuming rock in a place I have never ridden. Did this confirm my purchase before I installed the inserts? Heck yeah. First off installation is nowhere near as hard as people online make it out to be, from unboxing to installed was less than 30 minutes for both wheels. My first ride on them was an easy 12 miles of double track with a smattering of four birds trail. Immediately I noticed a lack of felt handlebar harshness from small bumps. I ride a 2018 giant anthem 2 so its a middle of the line travel bike... My second ride was one of my normal loops around Wildcat. Line choice seemed less important. I was able to bomb through the eternal rock gardens with ease. I didn't feel the rim impacts from before. The bike was silent. My third ride I lowered the tire pressure farther than normal. Traction increased dramatically. I can push the front end into corners like never before. I also found myself using only the front brake in corners now, which dramatically increased my cornering and descending. I went from timid to aggressive in the corners overnight. Is this from cushcore or a false sense of confidence in new fancy parts? Time will tell I guess. I also feel an improvement in climbing through rock gardens, maybe this is from skill building, maybe its from cushcore. Bottom line is that cushcore is worth it for me. And it might be for you too. But I'm just a casual rider. Go ahead and hate on my unprofessional review of a great product, but I don't think I'll be able to ride without them from now on.
