I first installed a set of Mr. Wolf Mousse Balls in October 2023. Since then I have swapped them over to multiple sets of tires. I’ll discuss why someone might choose Mousse Balls over Bib Mousses, review their performance and appearance after a year of use, and explain how to install them.
Why Mousse Balls over Bib Mousses
Mousse Balls look to be made of the same foam as any other bib mousse. Their claim is that mousse balls will last longer due to the “patented sector structure”. Because they consist of separate sections, there’s more surface area for heat to dissipate. As long as you lube up all sides of the balls anytime you add more, I see this being true.
Since most of us aren’t going to add all the balls that come in a kit, you’ll add, or swap out, the extra balls as the foam wears down over so many miles. You can also buy extra balls, three at a time, front or rear, if you are looking to extend the life of your setup that way. You can also do this with traditional bib mousses when they wear down, but you’ll need an old one to take wedges from. The concept is the same though, when the foam starts to wear down, add more.
For those who desire going the opposite direction and are drilling out their bib mousses for a more customized feel, this is where mousse balls shine. Yes, you’ll spend a bit more over a traditional mousse, but you’ll add the balls you desire, and adjust as they wear down or need more/less support. No longer do these “crazy hard enduro riders” need to buy special drill bits to immediately trash a brand new bib mousse. Crazies I tell ya, ha ha!
Does all of this justify the higher price tag? You’ll have to make that decision, because the tires you run, the hours you ride, and the maintenance given to your inserts all affect whatever product you’re sticking inside your tire. The one thing I do feel is there is less break in period with Mousse balls. My guess is that this is due to the “patented sector structure”, or balls, over a traditional one-piece foam insert.
Mouse Balls | One Year Review
The set of mousse balls being pulled out during this video were installed in October 2023. There are two months of undocumented riding and racing, but what I have documented started in December 2023 is ~47 hours and ~800 miles. Considering there were at least two races—Coyote Crossing and Barteau Ranch—and one or two additional rides, I estimate an additional 10 hours and 100 miles.
I believe I could have easily gotten MANY more miles and hours out of the rear mousse balls. The front had me suspect over the past two months. I know for sure the front tire was due to be replaced again. There is always the chance that a worn out tire was making the front end feel “washy” more than the mousse ball’s current state. I did shove another ball in before Flying W NEPG, which helped tremendously. I believe a new tire with the mousse balls I had would have kept going for another 25-30 hours easily (extra balls possibly needed).
I like the fact that there isn’t a break in period. A traditional Michelin bib mousse seems to always feel stiff from the beginning, finding the sweet spot only after a few hours of riding. I’ve also always cut wedges out of old bibs to help stave off buying a new mousse too soon. I’ve mixed and matched Nitromousse with Michelin before without problem, but maybe I’m the problem (ha!).
I like the Mr. Wolf Mousse Balls with the Dunlop MX 34F and the Michelin Starcross 6 Med/Soft Rear. It’s been a hell of a great combination for the different terrain I’ve raced and ridden between TSCEC, BJEC & NEPG this year.
How to Install Mousse Balls
The biggest difference when installing mousse balls over a traditional bib mousse is the setup. For a bib mousse, you lather the mousse and the tire carcass in lube. In the case of mousse balls, you have to lather each ball separately, increasing install time. Once each ball is properly lathered in lube, you have to install each ball separately. This isn’t the end of the world, it’s just more time consuming and worth noting for consumers.
Once all the Mousse Balls are installed in the tire, the process for mounting the tire to the rim is the same. I personally have a rabaconda and it makes life a TON easier for me. If you’re still new to mounting mousses or mousse balls, go slow. The most important part is getting the bead set inside the middle of the rim, versus hooked into the rim. Most installers will use more tire levers at the beginning to help the bead set deeper in the rim, not hooked. You’ll learn your process and it’ll get easier every time.
As I’ve gone through the life lessons of mounting bib mousses, I heard a lot about tire soap. Don’t use tire soap unless you’re changing tires and mousses regularly. It dries out quickly and actually wears your mousse out faster. A high-temp silicone based grease is what you want, and there are other silicone gel lubricants if you want to try and save a few bucks (no astroglide, ya weirdos).
What’s Next
I’ve been doing a better job documenting parts added and time on the bike since I added the first set of mousse balls in 2023. The plan is to be very open and honest about this newer set as I continue to race and ride. I’ll talk about new tires, wear of the mousse balls, and more as time continues on. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out and ask. That’ll help me know what you want to know, and I can answer that specifically.
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