TEST SoulCiccia Twin-Full: Enduro-specific inserts

SoulCiccia was born from 2 super enthusiasts, Enrico and Tommaso, who decided to enter the world of cycling firsthand to try to create a product that would solve various problems related to the gravity world. Bikers for over thirty years with experience in various fields: not only competitive but also mechanical.

The idea was to find something similar to the “Mousse” bikes, but light for the MTB world. Here the first products were born in 2017 and are already brought to success by Nicola Casadei. How can we forget Marcello Pesenti of Team Marchisio, 2019 Italian Enduro Champion and winner of the “Superenduro” Trophy. After these initial positive feedbacks, several national level athletes began to try SoulCiccia products and now it is certainly among the most recognizable brands in this range of products.

SOULCICCIA TWIN-FULL KIT

We are testing the Twin-Full Kit, the product most suited to the modern enduro rider, which includes a differentiated idea of ​​insert for the front and rear: light front and heavier rear. Nothing simpler and more effective. The Twin-Light model, given its lightness, is also recommended for XC/Trail use, as well as Enduro at the front.

At the rear, however, there is the Twin-Full insert (from which the kit takes its name): if the front structure weighs 60g, the rear rises to 105g with a denser structure and therefore more favorable to impacts. A polymer mix with high mechanical characteristics that has a profile designed to distribute the volumes in the areas of greatest stress and facilitate assembly. Service note: of course there is nothing stopping you from putting the Twin-Light at the rear and the Twin-Full at the front but it would be a rather unwise idea.

The Twin-Full kit, as previously mentioned, is designed for use in the Enduro field with a touch of DH/E-BIKE, although for these last 2 disciplines I recommend taking into consideration the Twin Soul Kit, more protective. A small aside for the Twin-Soul which features a truly innovative structure: It is characterised by a particular and exclusive coupling of two inserts of different compounds and densities which form a unique whole, maximizing protection without penalizing absorption characteristics and riding feel.

Twin-Full is equipped with a polymer mix with high mechanical characteristics and a profile designed to distribute the volumes in the areas of greatest stress and facilitate assembly. The only warning is the recommendation to use rims with an internal channel of 30mm or more.

MANY VERSIONS

SoulCiccia offers 4 different product variants, allowing the user complete customization: starting from the lightest model “TWIN LIGHT”, recommended for XC/Marathon or for front use in enduro (as we did in testing), moving on to the “TWIN FULL” (recommended for enduro) and finally the “TWIN SOUL” (pushed enduro/DH/e-bike).

As you can see, there are many combinations dedicated to “Gravity”: a concept that SoulCiccia calls “Twin Solution”, that is, the possibility given to the user in customizing the final kit. I forgot: the inserts are available in both 27.5″ and 29″ formats (in order to accommodate Mullet bikes).

HOW MUCH DOES SOULCICCIA WEIGH?

The weight of the Twin Light model by SoulCiccia is 60gr. At the rear, the SoulCiccia Twin Full stops the scale at 105gr.

TIPS FOR ASSEMBLING THE SOULCICCIA INSERT

Assembly is easier than other mousses, given the lightweight structure and optimised profile.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT PRESSURE?

In general, we have written an article about this thorny topic: FIND OUT MORE. And below is a table from SoulCiccia.

FIELD TEST

I used the SoulCiccia in the Twin-Full version for 6 months (from July to December), that is, differentiated at the front and at the rear: Twin-Light at the front and Twin-Full at the rear. I remember my bike is a Cannondale Jekyll fitted with Maxxis Assegai tires on the front and Maxxis Aggressor on the rear.. Both with DD casing (Double Down, Maxxis' most solid casing).

Other service info: my weight is 80kg in bike trim with helmet, backpack/waist bag and protections. With the insert mounted, and DD tires, I ended up using pressures of 1.25 at the front and 1.4 at the rear even if, sOn rough terrain, I prefer to go up to 1.35 at the front and 1.5 at the rear. In standard tubeless setup (without inserts), I get about 0.2/0.3 lift.

These inserts, and this is the first positive aspect, are not very invasive given their reduced weight (I remember the weight of the kit is well below 200g) and therefore they do not alter the driving sensations once installed. Like all well-made inserts, however, you then have the mental security that if a big blow arrives, our rim has extra protection and there is less risk of ruining the tire/denting the rim.

The Twin-Light model, as you will see at the end of the test from the signs of wear, It withstood impacts well and is recommended for front use, while care must be taken with the rear. I would use this model on the rear only if I weigh less than, or around, 70kg and I don't have a too aggressive riding style. Or simply because I use the bike with a more Trail than Enduro perspective (in fact these inserts are also good for Cross Country). The Twin-Full model, mounted at the rear, still has a light structure and could also be used at the front in case of heavy use. (I think of DH with a competitive perspective). In enduro it is an excellent compromise at the rear to combine lightness and protection.

In today's bikes (modern enduro) an insert is starting to be essential, especially at the rear, since the current geometry allows you to reach speeds, and indirectly hits that, until about ten years ago, were the domain of professional riders only. And the weights don't help either, since now a well-equipped Enduro is even close to 20kg. If I didn't use inserts with my Jekyll, I would be forced to change rims every so often given the size of the bumps.

During the test there were no problems to report, not even a few punctures to cry scandal: credit also goes to the Maxxis Double Down carcass but this means that the insert inside makes the tire work well.

HOW MUCH DOES SOULCICCIA TWIN FULL COST?

The “Twin-Full” Kit, used in testing and recommended for enduro, costs €90 and consists of a Twin Light at the front and a Twin Full at the rear. The inserts can be ordered individually: Twin Full at €46 and Twin Light at €49.

DOES SOULCICCIA TWIN FULL DRINK LATEX?

We weighed the inserts after the test and the results are good: the Twin Light model has “fattened” by only 10g (from 60g to 70g), while the Twin Full model by 30g (original weight 105g). It should be noted that they were weighed immediately after being removed, so some latex residue on the insert (see photo) certainly increased the weight.

Regarding impact resistance, the Light model did not show any worrying signs: this shows how it is difficult to stress an insert strongly at the front if we have a good tire and therefore having a light sausage like the Light is more than enough (I remember that in testing we had a Maxxis Assegai DD). While, at the rear, we noticed a few more signs: the Twin Full model is heavier than the Twin Light model at the front (60g against 105g) but it is still a low weight which is therefore not made to last forever.

PROJECTED IMPACT

Recommended for Enduro use

An insert with a racing soul: it is not felt inside and does not change the driving feeling, while still guaranteeing protection and greater grip thanks to the use of lower pressure. A functional and competitive “sausage”: the right solution for those looking for performance. I felt a few hits on the rim, in the most extreme situations, but it is the price to pay for having an insert that “is not felt”. Possibility of choosing various densities and differentiations between the rear and the front: this is a plus of SoulCicca to give the user maximum freedom of choice. Recommended.