Flat Tire Defender DH 27 Foam Insert

For nearly a whole week, I cursed the Flat Tire Defender Foam Insert, and on several occasions during that same timeframe, John Hall as well!FTD was a royal pain in the backside to COMPLETELY set up, and the fact that John Halls' online instructional video was not fully helping me, was, well, unhelpful. Mr. Hall installs both the FTD insert, along with the tire onto the rim, in step by step effortless ease. I, on the other hand, did not fare as well, and my frustration grew.Under the impression that it would go as easy for me, my first attempt started with trying to install the inserts, the night before I left for a big race, and ended with me putting the incomplete wheel setup (sealant in the tire and bead not fully seated) into my car with the hopes that I had a few days still, once at the race venue, to get it sorted out.After a couple more days of cursing, riding my other bike for practice runs, and eventually employing the assistance of my camping neighbor, we finally got the FIRST tire seated on the rim. I was initially failing at this step for several reasons - this was my absolute FIRST attempt at any kind of 'tubeless' wheel setup and had no knowledge of problems I may face, I was impatient, and my strength to seat a tire became relative to my impatience.My existing tires would not hold air, once they were on the rim, and it was suggested that replacing the tires, for the sake of using the FTD system was the key. This proved to be correct.Two new tires, and help from a more knowledgable person (when it came to tubeless setup wheels), everything was in it's proper place and my tires finally held air.A few important things to note before getting to the meat of this review - getting the tire in the right position on the rim to allow enough 'slack' in the final section of bead install is KEY!!! (Mr. Hall does cover this). One thing I did differently (after making the mistake on day 1) was to get the tire completely on the rim, then pull the bead just enough to put the sealant in, so that I was sure the sealant would not set up (as it had before, while I struggled with the initial attempt). Getting 3 inches of tire bead back in the rim is way easier than 6 or 7. Finally, I trust that the next time(s) I do this, should go a lot easier now that I have learned some valuable knowledge along the way.So, how did they perform out on the trail...?FLAWLESSLY!!!!!I just put the FTD through it's paces in Alpe D'Huez, France for the Megavalanche race and I absolutely could NOT be happier.I bought the FTD specifically for this event, after finding out firsthand just what that trail does to 'tubed' setups, last year.I have nothing but confidence, that the FTD Foam Inserts prevented numerous, countless flats out on that rocky terrain. I started riding them later in the week, but even in the short time, each practice run I took, increased my confidence that much more, where I could point my front wheel at anything and not think twice about any consequences.I did not take any opportunity to test low tire pressures. I ran 27 in front, and 32 in the rear. I did want a familiar feel in the tire pressures, and I did not want to fight too much on the few ascents, throughout the course.I am also relatively certain that I was able to notice the 'third suspension' and lesser hand vibration that others have talked about with this system. I say relatively because I was mainly focused on survival on that insane mountain.I did not notice the rotational weight that others have mentioned, at least, not as a hinderance, not enough to bother me. If anything, the added weight helped an already light bike feel a bit more stable, when throwing it around.The FTD is truly a game changer. I had ZERO issues whatsoever, once everything was set up. I don't think I fully tested the FTD per se (speeds, tire pressures, not a pro rider, how long the inserts will last, etc.) but I can say with certainty that they were tested well into a 90 percentile range on Alpe D'Huez, and they performed fantastically.Was it money well spent - absolutely. The confidence and piece of mind that came with every 'FLAT FREE' practice run, qualifying run, and finally, my complete race run, is/was truly priceless!!!Update: Jun 2019 - Sorry FTD, had to pull two stars. Legitimately, I'd give 3 1/2. Why? Unless I am the biggest Sally on the planet, removing the tires without cutting them off (which is fine if they're already toast), or using metallic tools (tire spoons, screwdrivers, small pry bars) is next to impossible. For this reason alone, I will rethink the FTD system, even as effective as it is. Unless you plan to change/add sealant every couple months, plan to be spending ALOT of time struggling and fighting just trying to start the bead off the rim. I realize it's a give and take world, but I don't want to have to eat a box of Wheaties, down a can of spinach, or start down the 'Roid Road just to accomplish a task as simple as removing a tire. A bike shop is not an option, I do my own maintenance, and I'd hate for some underpaid 'wrench' to score the inside of my rim, only to have it fail on me later at what I'm sure would be a very inopportune time. Find your Chi, muster up as much patience as you ever had and hang on, these will make you work!!