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Never flat again? Mr Wolf shows new puncture protection

Florentin Vesenbeckh

 · 28.04.2018

Never flat again? Mr Wolf shows new puncture protectionPhoto: Florentin Vesenbeckh
Never flat again? Mr Wolf shows new puncture protection
Smartmousse is the name of the innovation from the Italians at Mr Wolf, which is designed to offer unprecedented puncture protection for e-mountainbikes. The riding characteristics should also improve significantly.

Never flat again - many mountain bikers have wanted to realise this dream. A new approach, inspired by motocross, is shown at the BIKE Festival in Riva the Italians from Mr Wolf. Unlike most well-known tyre inserts such as Huck Norris, Procore or Cushcore, the new Smartmousse does not require tubeless milk. This eliminates the need for classic sealing in the event of a puncture. However, even major damage to the casing should not cause the system to go flat, as the inner tube is hidden deep inside.

The system is based on a solid and stable foam bead that fills almost the entire tyre. Inside is a thin scarf that shapes the system and makes the riding characteristics adjustable by means of air pressure.

The relatively hard core fills almost the entire tyre. There is space inside for a thin inner tube, which is inflated to a maximum of 2.0 bar.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The relatively hard core fills almost the entire tyre. There is space inside for a thin inner tube, which is inflated to a maximum of 2.0 bar.

The hard facts alone reveal that the promises made by the Italians are not completely out of thin air. The massive tyre insert is said to weigh around 500 grams (per piece!) in 27.5 inches, which is around twice as much as a Procore or Cushcore. Previous tests have shown that a lot of weight means a lot of puncture protection. For non-motorised touring bikers, however, Smartmousse clearly falls through the cracks.

The Italians therefore see the target group as e-mountain bikers, where the higher weight is bearable. Smartmousse should also find its fans in downhill and enduro. The idea: instead of a reinforced tyre with a thick and heavy carcass, gravity bikers combine Smartmousse with a lightweight tyre, which can almost make up for the weight disadvantage.

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The thin tube presses the Smartmousse into the rim bed and makes the system adjustable by means of air pressure.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The thin tube presses the Smartmousse into the rim bed and makes the system adjustable by means of air pressure. The rubber-like bead is much firmer than most known solutions. According to Mr Wolf, punctures are virtually impossible.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh The rubber-like bead is much firmer than most known solutions. According to Mr Wolf, punctures are virtually impossible. Mr Wolf Smartmousse in cross-section: The tube is similar in size to a conventional road bike tube.Photo: Florentin Vesenbeckh Mr Wolf Smartmousse in cross-section: The tube is similar in size to a conventional road bike tube.

However, Smartmousse is not only aimed at puncture protection. The solid insert is intended to influence the damping of the tyre and thus the riding characteristics. Mr Wolf also attributes similar potential to the lighter insert Banger, which we already presented last year.

Smartmousse will come in three sizes: 27.5 Plus for tyres around 2.8 inches (640 grams), 27.5 inches (2.5 and 2.6 inch tyres, 500 grams) and 29 inches (2.5 and 2.6 inch width, 590 grams). Cost point: 120 euros. We are excited to see how the system performs in the lab and in practice. The results will soon be available in EMTB Magazine.

Florentin Vesenbeckh

Florentin Vesenbeckh has been on a mountain bike since he was ten years old. Even on his very first tour, he focussed on single trails - and even after more than 30 years in the saddle of an MTB, these are still the quintessence of biking for him. He spent his youth competing in various bike disciplines and later his cycling career was characterised by years as a riding technique coach. Professionally, the experienced test editor now focusses on e-mountainbikes. In recent years, the qualified sports scientist and trained journalist has tested over 300 bikes and more than 40 different motor systems in the laboratory and in practice.

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