Commuter tyres explained
A commuter bike tyre is specifically designed for commuting/road cycling. The tyre will need to be grippy, durable and offer the rider sufficient speed for commuting purposes. Commuter tyres are usually wider than a road tyre and offer a larger contact area and will provide more comfort. Wider tyres are less prone to punctures and will provide more grip.
A commuter tyre is made up of 3 main components:
Bead - Most commuter bike tyres come in a kevlar or steel bead, with kevlar being the lighter of the two.
Fabric - Cloth fabric makes up the body of the tyre. The cloth is woven between the two tyre beads. The most popular material used is nylon cord
Rubber - Synthetic coated fibres are commonly used for commuter tyres as they provide the soft rubber compound that is best for puncture resistance and grip.
Tyre dimensions
Width: Some hybrid bikes are based on a traditional mountain bike design and come with 26″ wheels. Others are lightweight and based on fast road riding machines, like a standard road bike and are equipped with 700c wheels.
Diameter: Commuter bikes typically use 26 inch or 700c wheels and have tyre sizes to match as they’re often based on mountain bike or road bike models.
Recommended pressure for commuter tyres?
Hybrid tyres are usually marked with a pressure range, from the minimum that will support a rider of average weight to the absolute maximum. Do not exceed the maximum when tyres are marked with a range. Otherwise consult a tyre pressure chart from the bike tyre manufacturer and make your own decision based upon the tyre section and weight supported.
What commuter tyre is best for you?
Commuter tyres are designed to meet the rigours of city/trail riding and will fit hybrid style bikes, they are wider than a road race tyre to offer a larger contact area with the road and will provide more comfort. Wider tyres are less prone to punctures and will provide more grip. Within this range you can get semi slick or knobbly tyres, the semi slick tyres will be ideal for road use and the knobbly style will provide more grip for light trail use or loose surfaces such as gravel.
Jargon buster
* Bead – The edge of the tire that holds the tire on to the rim.
* Clincher tires – A tire where the bead “clinches” the rim.
* Hybrid – A commuter style bike that combines elements of road and mountain bikes.
* Kevlar – An aramid synthetic fiber material used for durability and flexibility in tire beads and flat protection panels.
* MTB tire – A tire used specifically for the discipline of Mountain Biking.
* Pinch flats – Flats caused when the tube is pinched between the rim and a sharp or hard object.
* Psi – Pounds per square inch, a measurement of tire pressure.<
* Rolling resistance – Friction created when tires roll.
* Tire pressure gauge – Gauge that shows tire pressure in psi measurements, used to determine proper tire inflation.
* Tpi – Threads per square inch, a measurement of tire thread counts.
* Tread – Patterns of rubber on tire which make contact with surface
* Tubular tires – Also known as sew-ups, these tires are used primarily for racing. Tubes are sewn inside the tire, which is then glued on to the rim.
* XC – Cross Country
* 29er – 29 inch Mountain Bike
re-blogged from wiggle.co.uk
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