| Mounting
that Mousse
By Reid Nordin
Don't
be fooled that foam inserts are for
off-road only! Many factory MX teams are
using them now in
an effort to reduce flat tire
related DNFs
or lengthy pit stops. Some riders
prefer the
handling characteristics of inserts
over tubes.
Europeans have been using them
for years and the
top Six Day riders can mount
two of them faster than most people can
mount a tire with a standard tube. So when
you’re ready to tackle the task of mounting
the beasts, take these hints into consider-
ation. If you’re looking for speed while doing
this, forget it, speed equals practice just like
anything else you try on your bike.
1.
Size Matters:
Make sure the foam insert you
select is the right size for the intended tire.
2.
The Right Tools for the Job: This job will
be
much easier if you have the right tools to
assist you,
it also can’t hurt to have too many.
Sometimes a
third hand also helps.
3.
Lube It:
Mousse lube and tire mounting
lubes
are the best types of lubes to use.
They’ll
keep the friction down between the
tire and
foam insert, which helps reduce
heat. Heat
kills foam inserts faster than
anything.
Lube both the foam insert and the
inside of
the tire.
4.
Prep your Rim: This is the perfect time to
remove the rubber band and tape up your clean rim.
Only leave one hole in your rim exposed,
you won’t
need the one for the valve stem and
the tape
will seal out the dirt and mud.
5.
Get Started:
Mounting the first bead can
be
tricky as the rim and tire are very slippery
from the
lube. Once this bead is on you’ll need
to use a
little force to get the tire and insert
centered on
the rim, then all of your tools
come in
handy. The foam insert will try and
force the
bead to seat at all times and that is
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why you’ll
need all of the tools to keep it from
popping up
until you’re ready. Vise grips can
be used to
hold the bead down but be careful
this might scar
your rim.
6.
Don't pinch:
Just as you don't want to pinch
a
regular tube (for obvious reasons), you want
to try and
avoid it with the foam insert also.
Cuts and
nicks will cause the insert to break
down
prematurely, causing tire failure.
7.
Save the Lock for Last: Slowly work your
way
around the tire making sure the bead has
not popped
up on either side. Once you get to
the bead
lock area it will take some force to
push the
bead lock in while getting that last
bit of tire
on the rim.
8.
New or Used:
If you chose an old or used
insert
and the bead did not seat by itself,
simply apply
some air through the valve stem
hole with a
blow nozzle which should force up
the last bit
of bead.
9.
Believe It Or Not: Now that you have
accomplished
this remember that some say it’s
even harder
to dismount a foam insert!
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