Unless mooses are new, dont bother.
Mooses stop punctures - obviously, but unless nearly new they will be dead.
Thick tubes are OK but TUBLISS is the way to go.
There is no comparison, the effect is as for normal thin tubes, the tyres work as the manufacturer designed them to work.
I have compared like with like, there is no comparison.
I know you have to make the outlay but they are less than mooses and loads better.
No brainer.
Mousses aren't road legal. I have them on my MX/enduro tyre but this is never used on the road - and if I have ridden on Tarmac I think they don't feel nice at all (off road fine). Generally a valve is left in place to balance things up, not have a hole left in the rim and often to get through an MOT (ie a cheat).
Tubliss also aren't officially road legal but those that have them swear it doesn't affect road handling - and won't suffer from the same potential overheating issue that mousses can present if ridden on Tarmac at speed for a reasonable amount of time.
Personally I wouldn't use a mousse for any road/lane activities. HD tube & slime. Or tubliss.
But how would I know if they are 'dead' or not. They feel dead compared to a conventional tube, but I guess that is a normal for a mousse. Bit worried about taking the tyre off in case I cant get it back on properly.
To put in perspective.
Trail riding - so long as the tyre stays up - result.
Racing, tyres need to work as manufacturer intended.
As Chris rightly points out, valve used to bed tyre, think tubeless tyre, ie pops tyre onto rim, doesnt have to seal.
As to dead, difficult to explain.
I tripped over the difference when changing bikes, new one was on tubes, old one on mooses. Same type of bike etc.
Thought the new bike was just so much better.
Changed wheels, same as old bike, mooses removed etc, perfect.
Best way to describe it, old un-oiled cables compared to new Venhill etc, everything at the finger tips, not having to struggle.
Order of preference, Tubliss, moose, HD tube, normal tube.
If you stick with the mooses, there are several hints that will make life easier.
If you need that help then pm me, only cos its been discussed a few times on this forum already etc!!
I've just changed from tubes to Tubliss and had one ride of 65 miles so far. Performance wise I couldn't tell the difference BUT I didn't have to carry spare tubes, levers, etc in case I got a puncture and was less particular where I rode in the lanes and what I rode over.
I have a Michelin Enduro Competition on the front with 10 psi and Pirelli MT43 on the rear with 6 psi.
I gather that mousses give the equivalent of 15-20psi which didn't appeal to me
Good luck
__________________
DGTRFYou're just passing through, make the most of it !
Thats exactly the point, you shouldnt notice the difference from tubes.
You have all the advantages (plus a few others not trail ride related), but none of the disadvantages.
Downsides are harder to fit, but get used to it and you have to be careful not to damage tubliss when removing tyres, easy to catch tubliss bead.
Ideally front wheel needs balancing with tubliss, you need a lot of lead!
Far more than I expected, otherwise you will get tired of the constant shaking on the road work.
you wont notice it on the trail or racing ( I still balance, just to make for a less tireing ride)
If trail riding on mooses, just wear them out and then go tubliss is my advice.
Mooses need loads of silcon grease for prolonged road work to save overheating / breaking down.
Save some money, buy Hepsleeve pipe grease, 1 tub will last forever.
