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12/13/2019
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Eagle Nest, NM
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just_gonna_send_it
10/28/2021 7:34am
10/28/2021 7:34am
Hello all,
So I ordered an M18 mousse to go in an a 120/90-18 tire because the Rocky Mountain fitment guide said it would work. But when I received the mousse, the Michelin brochure said the M18 was made specifically for some of their own tires and that other tires would require the M14. Anyone know the difference between the M18 and M14? The M18 does look larger than the 14, but a 14 is made to also fit a 110 tire. So, it should be smaller than the 18.
Thanks
So I ordered an M18 mousse to go in an a 120/90-18 tire because the Rocky Mountain fitment guide said it would work. But when I received the mousse, the Michelin brochure said the M18 was made specifically for some of their own tires and that other tires would require the M14. Anyone know the difference between the M18 and M14? The M18 does look larger than the 14, but a 14 is made to also fit a 110 tire. So, it should be smaller than the 18.
Thanks
Their sizing is unique to say the least.
For some reason the European metric system Michelin uses does not match the Asian metric system everyone else uses so you can’t use tire sizing across brands.
As far as running Michelin mousse’s, if you’re not matching it to a Michelin tire I’d return it and go with the Nitro mousse or similar.
Otherwise prepare for trial and error as you attempt to get the right size Michelin mousse matched to your non Michelin tire.
Michelin makes a great Mousse but it is the best paired with their tires.
OR just order up some Michelin tires....they are giving back $25 on every tire purchased in October.
The Shop
Measure the girth of the mousse using a flexible tape measure (like the kind used to set sag, or a vinyl sewing tape measure). The girth (circumference around the cross section) should be about 300mm for a 120/90-18 tire. If it's 10-15mm bigger or smaller than 300mm it won't fit properly.
I cram mousses into the tires. If the mounting process was easy, it's probalby too loose.
First off - Michelin Mousse's don't fit other brands. Michelin tires have a big carcass from what I can tell. Tried a Michelin mousse in Dunlops, Pirelli's and a Tusk with no luck.
Second - Michelin tires hook up decent last a LONG time. I've been running Starcross 5 Mediums primarily in the dry, rocky desert and I can get a solid 8-10 hours of aggressive expert level riding out of a set. I find the front is worn whenever the rear knobs are getting low. These tires do not chunk knobs like Dunlops do. I get about 3-4 hours out of a Dunlop rear and 5-6 out of a front with these conditions.
Third - I use a Rabaconda tire changer, and Xeno is 100% right - if it goes on easy it probably doesn't fit right. The key to mousse's lasting a decent amount of time is lube and making sure it's tight inside the tire. If there is room for it to move around it's not going to hold up long at all. Plus if it's a bit stiffer when it's new, you're going to get more time out of it before the mousse starts to feel soft and is replicating low tire pressure. When the mousse goes soft you start to get tire roll and handling goes to shit.
Hope that gives some insight. I've learned a lot on this subject in the last 6 months.
I do use a Rabaconda by the way. Love it.
I also concur that the Michelin mousses last FAR longer than nitro. The new gen ones (blue boxes) are a pain to get in on the first mounting but if you keep them lubed up they just seem to never break down.
I haven't personally noticed much difference in lifespan between brands, but I have noticed that they last a lot longer when its difficult to install because just its a little too big. I.e., Tight is Right
I used to get a case of Michelin lube every year or so, but in the past couple years have started grabbing a tube/tub of Napa or AGS Sil-Glyde. It feels very similar and cost a little more than half of what the Michelin lube does. (The AGS Sil-Glyde you can get in a 12oz tub for $20, very handy and less messy than the tubes IMO) Its marketed for brake caliper/pin rebuilding to reduce squeaking, safe on rubber and such, not temperature sensitive etc., I haven't dug up SDS sheets on the products, to see ingredients, but it feels and performs so similar I'd wager the difference between whatever Michelin and NitroMousse are selling is virtually identical.
For what its worth, on my latest rear bib, I grabbed a 100/100-18 Michelin bib (M18) and installed it in a Kenda Washougal 2 DC, 110/100-18. VERY TIGHT. That tire is done a month later (6 very rocky/hardpacked races, a play ride and approx. 450 miles) The bib was still very tight and the tire was hard to remove. I installed a 110/100-18 Dunlop MX33. Slipped on like butter and feels "normal". I'd heard that Kenda's run a bit small, and I guess this validates that rumor.
Pit Row
Run M14 for basically all 18’s and M22 for all 19’s. I also run their 90/100-21 for the front if you can find it. The Michelin 80/100-21 works great but is a little small for most tires. Once it wears you’ll get lots of roll and the tire may not even bead when swapping.
Anything bigger than the M14 and M22 are for 140’s.
Good luck!
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