Buyer's Guide: Road Bike Tires

Road tires explained

Tires are arguably the most important part of your cycling arsenal. Having a good quality bike frame kitted out with the right components is an important step in achieving a successful cycle ride, but all the kit in the world will never substitute the importance of being equipped with the right tire for you and your bike.

A road bike tire is designed specifically for riding on the road. A good road tire offers a smooth tread pattern, a balance of aerodynamics, low rolling resistance and comfort for the rider.


A road tire is made up of 3 main components:

Bead - The bead holds the tire onto the rim and this represents the support structure to the tire. The majority of beads are steel, but Kevlar is now becoming more and more popular on road tires.

Fabric - Cloth fabric makes up the body of the tire. The cloth is woven between the two tire beads. The most popular material used is Nylon Cord.

Rubber - Once the tire has achieved its basic shape from the cloth fabric, it is then coated with rubber to protect it from damage.


Tyre dimensions

Width: Tyre width plays a significant role in how a bike will behave on different surfaces. The most important thing to understand is that tire width is always dependent on the type of riding you. The most popular width on road bikes is 23mm wide. This narrow profile is in keeping with the characteristics required for fast riding on a smooth road surface. The wider a tire, the more comfortable the ride is likely to be, due to the increased air volume. This can act as a small method of suspension.

Diameter: Adult road bikes tires are measured in metric and are typically 650c (571mm) and 700c (622mm) in size.


Tyre pressure

Road bike tires 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 tires are marked with a range. Otherwise consult a tire pressure chart from the bike tire manufacturer and make your own decision based upon the tire section and weight supported. In wet conditions it is recommended to use 10-15psi less than normal, this will aid grip.


What tire is best for you?

Clincher Tires

Conventional tires used on 99% of all bicycles are “clincher” type, also known as “wire-on.” They consist of an outer tire (the “casing”) with a U-shaped cross section, and a separate inner tube. The bead of the tire hook inside the edges of the rim, and air pressure inside the inner tube holds everything in place.


Tubular Tyres

While the vast majority of cyclists use clincher type tyres for their bikes, the high end performance racing end of the market prefer to use tubular tyres. These tyres are mounted on special tubular specific rims and are glued/taped on to the rims. The inner tube is sewn within the casing of the tyre and is made into a sealed unit.

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