Looking to improve on their existing Air-Liner MTB, Vittoria has completely revised the shape of their tire insert. Vittoria wanted to provide a specific insert for more aggressive riding including Enduro and DH, but they also want to improve the ride feeling, level of rim protection, decrease the weight, increase the air volume and lateral stability, all while reducing the rolling resistance, and make it easier to install. Whew.
To get there, the new tire inserts have moved to a ‘T’ shape which is apparently now a European patented shape profile. It’s not quite the ‘Y’ shape of the Air-Liner Light, but when the tire is inflated it appears that the wings of the ‘T’ bend upwards, likely putting pressure on the side wall for added stability. The T-Shape helps the tire line improve on nearly everything listed above – it also comes in one continuous loop, instead of a straight line that you have to zip tie together inside the tire like the old one.
While both the Enduro and DH inserts are the same size, the Enduro insert gets a lower density foam with faster rebound and lower compression. The DH insert gets a higher density foam for slower rebound and higher compression for greater rim protection.
Available in either 27.5 or 29″ diameters, all of the inserts are E-bike approved, and sell for $69.99 per insert with a multiway tubeless valve included.
