If you’re like us — motorcyclists with more bikes than free weekends and a calendar full of off-road adventures — you’ve probably considered switching from traditional inner tubes to bib mousses or mousse balls. 

Especially for dirt bike and enduro riding, mousses offer a flat-proof tire setup that boosts confidence on rugged terrain where rocks, roots and sharp edges can easily ruin your day with a flat. 

But are mousse inserts always the better choice for off-road motorcycle tires? Or are there still situations where good old-fashioned tubes win out? 

We’ve covered the basics before: 

What is a Bib Mousse and How to Install it

The History of Bib Mousses

How to Switch to Mousse Balls

Now, let’s break down the differences between mousses and tube setups so you can decide which one’s right for your next ride. 

MOUSSE BIB INSERTS - The flat-proof option 

Mousse inserts are foam-based alternatives to inner tubes designed to eliminate flat tires. They're commonly used in hard enduro, trail riding and rally racing.

Why riders choose mousses: 

• No flat tires! No pinches, no punctures, no worrying about tire pressure. This alone makes mousses a game-changer for trail and enduro riders.

• Better bump absorption. Because mousses mimic the feel of low-pressure tires, they conform to terrain better–perfect for riding over rocks and sharp obstacles.

• Rim protection. The softer ride helps cushion big hits, reducing the chances of damaging your rim.

• Fast & easy tire changes, but only if you’ve got a Rabaconda Dirt Bike Tire Changer!

The drawbacks of mousses:

• Softer ride feel. Some riders describe it as a “dead’ or deflated feel, especially when mousses shrink and stiffen over time. 

• Sidewall rollover. In high-speed motocross corners, you’ll notice more tire flex compared to tubes.

• Heavier and pricer. On average, mousses weigh about a pound more than heavy-duty tubes and can cost 2-3x as much up front. 

• Maintenance matters. Mousses need to be cleaned, lubed and stored in a climate controlled environemnt to last longer. 

• Installing mousses is a pain in the butt without the Rabaconda Dirt Bike Tire Changer; there’s no way of getting around it. Ask anyone who has tried it without a Dirt Bike Tire Changer.

When and why to run mousses:

• Enduro and hard enduro. The soft feel gives better grip on technical terrain.

• ISDE and rally racing. No flats = no DNFs. Quick wheel swaps with zero downtime.

• Peace of mind while trail riding in rocky or unpredictable terrain when getting stuck miles from the truck isn’t an option. 

Bonus: Some riders drill holes in their mousse to customize the feel and make them even squishier. This provides more contact on the surface and increases traction, but it’s an advanced move, so know what you’re doing before grabbing a drill. 

(By the way, mousses come in soft, medium and hard compounds depending on your riding style and terrain. Some riders even mix-and-match mousse/tire sizes to fine-tune their setup. There’s also mousse balls as well that can provide a different feel overall to other mousse setups.)

TUBE SETUPS - Still have a place! 

While mousse inserts are dominating hard enduro and trail riding, inner tubes still have a place—especially in motocross, desert racing and casual dual-sport use.

Why some riders stick with tubes: 

• Adjustable pressure. You can tune the PSI to suit the terrain–lower for traction, higher for speed and hardpack

• Lighter weight. Race bikes try to be as lightweight as possible and every ounce counts.

• Budget-friendly. Easy on the wallet, easy to replace and easy to carry spares 

• Simpler ride feel. Some riders just prefer the responsiveness of a properly inflated tube. 

The drawbacks of tubes: 

• Flats happen. Pinch flats, thorns, rocks–there’s always a risk.

• Rim damage. Lower-pressure tires can lead to more rim hits and bent wheels.

• Takes longer to fix on the trail. Tube swaps mid-ride mean tools, spares and precious time.

What Rabaconda product works with mousses? 

The Rabaconda Dirt BIke Tire Changer and the Mini Tire Changer were specially designed for mousse inserts, making for fast and frustration-free installs anywhere.

What Rabaconda product works with tubes? 

All three of Rabaconda’s tire changers work with tubes: the Dirt, the Street and the Mini.

So, mousse or tube? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re racing enduro, riding gnarly trails or just want to forget flats forever, mousses are the way to go. 

If you like tuning pressure to your exact style or want to keep your setup ultra-lightweight, stick with tubes. 

But if you’re riding hard, far or in unpredictable terrain, mousse bibs might give you that little extra peace of mind and save your ride.