Best Rim Inner Width for XC

[EB]

Originally Posted by rothwem

I didn't realize inserts were that common in XC racing, I know the downhill scene has pretty much given up on them, but I guess they can run heavier casings that have similar benefits.

Some teams are running them:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/tire-s...l-di-sole.html

In that article, notably Liv and Cube are running them, but Scott is meh and BMC is vehemently opposed. The Schwalbe guy is also against inserts for XC, but Schwalbe generally (unlike, say, Vittoria) has taken the stance across all disciplines that casings should be designed for purpose and not need inserts to support them.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Schwalbe's newer casings are all heavier than the competitions. I use their Gravity tires on my enduro bike and they definitely don't need inserts - you have to run them 2 or 3 psi lower anyway just to get the right traction. Their newest tire designs use radial construction, which is a whole other thing that requires *higher* pressure to operate effectively.