In the test: MaXalami Pepi's Tire Noodle Puncture Insert

Is it really possible – an insert for tires that significantly improves the performance of tubeless tires, weighs extremely little, can be ridden with less air pressure, and protects against punctures and tire defects? Sounds almost too good to be true. But that's exactly what the manufacturer MaXalami promises with its product Pepi's Tire Noodle. We tested it for you!

The puncture insert “MaXalami Tire Noodle” – a few basics

The Tire Noodle is a ring made of a high-tech foam, which the manufacturer MaXalami developed specifically for use with tubeless systems through extensive material and form investigations. The ring is light but stable, so it can replace missing air pressure in the tire. It is pulled onto the rim, then any tubeless tire is placed over it. But why actually?

 

This is how the tire insert looks in use. Image © MaXalami

What does the MaXalami Tire Noodle offer?

The puncture insert in the form of a PTN foam ring is intended to prevent defects on the rim caused by rocks, but above all, it can protect tires from blowouts, holes, and cuts from snakebites. Here is a small overview:

• Protection of rim and tire
• You can ride with less air pressure than usual.
• Even with a flat, you can still roll to the finish without damaging the rim. MaXalami lovingly calls this the “Run Flat”.

For which bicycles and in which sizes is the MaXalami Tire Noodle available?

• You can currently buy the Tire Noodle in 650B and 700c.
• The currently available versions are intended for gravel bikes. 
• Size/tire width: XXS = 35 - 38 mm, XS = 40 - 47 mm
• Weight: XXS: 44 g, XS: 49 g
• Make sure to order the foam ring in the correct size. Not only the tire size is crucial, but also the rim width. Only if both are correct can you actually mount the ring.

Clearly visible: The MaXalami tubeless insert foam ring sits tightly on the rim.

Our test setup – where did we really put the MaXalami puncture insert to the test?

We tested the foam ring on our 29” test bike from NS Bikes and rode it in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis bike park, in the Brandnertal bike park, in Flims, in Lenzerheide, in Davos, and in the Winterberg bike park. We were on 29” and size M, and each puncture insert weighs no more than 78 grams.

This is how you mount the MaXalami tubeless insert

The assembly setup of Pepi's Tire Noodle is very simple. 

1. Grab your tubeless rim and replace the existing valves with the supplied PTN valves.
2. Then, as always, mount the tire (first one tire bead) onto the rim.
3. Now it's time for the tubeless insert – it is simply pulled onto the rim. This works in no time and you don't even need any tools for it.
4. The ring actually sits very tightly on the rim, but don't worry, the second tire bead also fits into the rim bed. The puncture insert is so soft that you can push it aside with your fingers. This makes it relatively easy to mount the tubeless system of your choice.
5. Milk makes tired tires lively – now you can fill in the tubeless milk. We chose Peaty's Tubeless Sealant and used almost a whole tube per tire.
   Attention! Normally, the tubeless milk is added to the tire through the valve. In combination with Pepi's Tire Noodle, this is not possible because the foam ring sits tightly on the rim and does not leave enough space to fill in sufficient milk.
   Here's our tip: Mount the tire only 95% onto the rim and then fill in the tubeless milk through the remaining opening. After that, you need to rotate and turn the wheel until the milk is well distributed everywhere. If you want to know if the tire is already sealed, you can try using the pump. In our case, the system was only really sealed after the third attempt.

With a MaXalami Noodle, you don't fill the sealant through the valve, it works better through a gap.

The Test: On the Trail with MaXalamis Tire Insert

The idea behind this product is as simple as it is ingenious: The tire pressure is not just left to the air; a stabilizing foam helps here. The puncture insert allows you to ride with less air pressure and enjoy more riding performance and safety. So much for the theory, but does it work? 

Indeed, we were skeptical and immediately had comparisons with commercial pipe insulation from the hardware store in mind. So, let's go out... after the installation, it was time to test the qualities of the MaXalami Pepi's Tire Noodle on natural terrain.

Light-footed on the go: With the Maxxis Forekaster XC tire and the Aggressor, we installed light folding tires, where without Pepi's Tire Noodle, defects would have been guaranteed.

This is how we tested the tire insert:

We tested the system with light folding tires. At the front, the Maxxis Cross Country tire Forekaster was mounted, while at the rear, a Maxxis Aggressor provided grip.

The air pressure was reduced by 0.5 bar to achieve significantly more grip on the trail. Risky, because experience shows that with this setup snakebites and the so-called burping (= when the tire slips off the rim in curves due to too low air pressure) accumulate. But neither was the case! 

(Note: Our test rounds were done with MTBs, meanwhile MaXalami's Tire Noodles tire inserts are also widely used on gravel bikes.)

The Test Result

We were on the trail with our test vehicle for several days in a row, yet there was not a single snakebite on our tires even under the toughest conditions, although we were using a super light cross-country tire at the front, which would undoubtedly have been battered by the terrain under normal circumstances (without the foam ring). We were really impressed and kept checking our tires, but couldn't find any snakebites. 

In terms of safety, the purchase is definitely worth it, but what about the riding characteristics? How does a bike with a puncture insert on board feel?

How does a tubeless insert ride?

MaXalami advertises that not only does the durability of the tires increase, but the damping of the gravel bike should also improve. It sounds logical because where bumps previously found their way to the rim upon impact, they are now absorbed by the tire insert. This was noticeable in our test on the trail, on gravel, or on other poor surfaces. The bike or the wheels no longer stall when there is an impact down to the rigid rim material. The damping is indeed higher than with a normal tubeless tire, making biking on demanding and rocky trails significantly more comfortable.

Q: Do tire inserts work with flat tires? A: No idea... 

MaXalami advertises the innovative “Run Flat” feature. But can you really just continue riding to your destination with a flat on the insert without ruining the rim? That sounds promising, especially for racers. We would have really liked to test that for you. But – in the “real” use, there wasn't a single tire defect to report! So we were left with only the self-made flat: On a freeride track in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis bike park, we wanted to know and let all the air out of the rear tire halfway through the track.

 

For mounting the second tire bead, you need a bit of patience, as the foam ring sits tightly on the rim and you have to press the tire in between.

The Tire Insert MaXalami Tire Noodle: Our Conclusion 

Maybe you have concerns at the beginning about whether a foam ring for almost 60€ really improves performance. But our experiences show: Pepi’s Tire Noodle absolutely convinced us in the tough test. Where we would otherwise have certainly suffered an annoying tire defect, we could simply continue riding as if nothing had happened. The system really offers some advantages and we can only recommend it to you, whether you are doing training laps, bike tours, or bikepacking trips. Admittedly, mounting and sealing the tubeless system was a bit more complicated with the foam ring than without, but the positive riding characteristics completely outweigh this. 

The Tire Insert MaXalami Pepi’s Tire Noodle gets a clear purchase recommendation from us!

Accessories for our Test Setup

Tubeless Sealant | Gravel Tires | MTB Tires | Tire Accessories (here you can find the tire insert)

More info about bicycle tires in the Bike Blog:

• Bicycle Valves in Comparison
• Mash Guards in Test
• What Tire Size Does Your Bicycle Have?
• The Right Tire Pressure for Your Bicycle
• Winter Tires on the Bicycle
• Wire Tires or Folding Tires
• All about Gravel Tires