Ride with enduro foams, but at what price? comparator Freenduro

Invented and developed by Michelin in the 80s (1983/84) the Anti-Brain Foam (bib mousse) for the tyres of enduro motorcycles has long remained the preserve of the manufacturer Clermontois. But even though Michelin remains the market leader in this segment, in recent years other brands have decided to enter this niche and succeeded in developing enduro foams.

Purchase comparison for enduro foams: Bib mousse Michelin / Up / Mitas / Gibson

If this competition on enduro foams is rather beneficial for enduro enthusiasts, because it offers us a wider range of choices, this on the other hand failed to bring down enduro foam prices. In addition, after the covid crisis and today the soaring energy prices, the prices of these anti-screw foams are starting to rise again (like those of Enduro tyres).

We have therefore decided to create this price statement for enduro foams to allow you to compare. Here, it will not be a question of telling you what is the best brand on the market, or whether it is better to roll in foam or in a room (this is up to you, but below, we show you the advantages and disadvantages of foams) but simply to make a statement of the current rates.

Advantages and disadvantages of enduro foams

Benefits

• Really increvable
• No repair tools to carry
• Rolls “stronger” in roots and stones
• Excellent grip when the bib is well honed (after a few hours of driving)
• Possibility of mounting a beb in 120 in an AR tyre in 140 to have a better input grip
• Possibility of making holes in a beb to have an equivalent pressure of less than 0.9 b when new
• Some foams are now available as a “SOFT” reference for hard-enduro enthusiasts looking for a maximum grip

Disadvantages

• High price (between 100 and 150 €)
• Non-adjustable pressure (equivalent to 0.9 bar when new, then gradually decreases)
• Heavier than a chamber in + the gyro effect makes the bike less manoeuvrable
• Hard to fit in the tire
• Limited lifespan (from 6 to 18 months max)
• Not approved for driving on open roads
• Manufacturers advise not to drive at more than 130 km/h

Michelin BIB MOUSSE – (enduro medium)

UP foam

Enduro moss Mitas

Gibson Enduro Foam

To finish this price overview, a little advice if you want to improve the longevity of your foams.  When you mount your foams, imperatively and generously use mounting lubricating gel (also spread the inside of the tire, by avoiding the heel so that your tyre does not turn on the rim) this will prevent your foams from heating up while riding (because heating up is detrimental to the life of enduro foams)

Take a look here if you want to make some savings on your mounting gel

The history of Michelin foam bib

The foam bib is a foam insert that is placed inside the motorcycle tyre, replacing the inner tube. It is therefore intended to eliminate the possibility of puncture.

Developed in the 1980s by the Michelin brand, to address the problem of tire punctures for Dakar drivers.  The foam bib was then first introduced to the market in 1991 and first used in competition in 1991 by American motocross rider Jeff Stanton who won the AMA 500cc championship that same year.

Since then, it has been used by many professional riders in enduro (and sometimes also in motocross) and has long been considered the best anti-puncture solution on the market and for this reason the Michelin bib has quickly become popular with endurists.

Over the years, and in the face of the gradual arrival of many quality competitors, the manufacturer Clermontois has continued to develop and improve its foam bibs using increasingly advanced materials and adding special features to meet the needs of different types of terrain and riding styles. Today, there are different types of Michelin foam bibs to meet the needs of motocross, enduro, supercross and cross-country riders.

Enduro foam editing video tutorial with Benjamin Mélot

A second video tutorial but this time the dismantling of an enduro foam with a Rabaconda Tire Machine

See also our comparison of enduro tyres

Bonus: the essential tools to properly mount your foams

If you are a fan of crossings and other hard-enduro, our purchase guide for special extreme enduro tyres You will probably be interested