All About Bike Tires

A bicycle tire is that part of a bicycle without which it could not have traveled hundreds of meters. Bicycles manufactured before 1888 were not equipped with rubber at all - most of these structures had almost a bare rim as a wheel. Because of this, it was uncomfortable to use a bicycle - just an hour away could deprive the rider of his strength even on a flat road.

Tires for a bicycle - in fact, rubber “shoes” without which the camera, worn without a rim, pierced or rubbed on the slightest roughness, a piece of glass or a piece of wire lying on the road. Tires have an effect on the handling and patency of the bike at a level at which not one of its components does. How long you ride or how far you will ride this bike depends on the quality of the tire covers.

When choosing a new tire to replace one of the heavily worn ones or changing both to new ones at once, consider the weather and season during which you ride, as well as the quality of the road surface. For asphalt, gravel, sand and soil pavement you need different tires. The more distance you travel on impassable roads, gravel or road surfaces from secondary building materials, the more often you come across wire and broken glass on the road, the more protected the tire will be.

Each tire is marked by the manufacturer. Accurate interpretation of product markers requires knowledge of what it consists of. A bicycle tire is a kind of “pie” of several layers. Layering is the guarantee of quality if the technologies used in the manufacture of such a “pie” were not violated, tampered with. These layers are arranged in a certain sequence.

Tread - the outer cover of the bicycle. A work track that is in direct contact with the road surface when the wheel runs, which has a clear volumetric pattern. Without it, the bike would slide along the road when braking. The depth (severity) of this figure determines what roads you can drive. Lines of lugs are located on the sides. The tread may be:

1. positive - the area of ​​the rubber area on which the lugs are located is equal to or more than the furrows used when driving on asphalt;
2. negative - with high lugs having a smaller area than the grooves for off-road driving.

Without a cord, the tire would quickly wrinkle - it is the basis that sets its stiffness and hardness. The corded layer is woven from special threads of artificial origin. The durability of the chamber, more precisely, the tire resistance to punctures, is determined by a value called the density of the plexus of the threads. This is the number of stitches that weave yarns per linear inch of tire, which is denoted by the European standard as TPI (or EPI).

Low-budget tires for road bikes have a TPI of 24 ... 67 units. Manufacturers (especially most Chinese and some Russian firms) partially compensate for this flaw with a larger tread layer. In this case, the weight of the tire increases by several hundred grams. Increased durability of highway rubber - 60 ... 130 units. Tubeless rubber monotubes have a TPI value of up to 320 units.

Boating cable - a guide without which the tire would be removed from the rim. It is made of steel wire. In more expensive tires, it is twisted from Kevlar threads. Tires with steel cable - clinker. Their disadvantage is the impossibility of packing in an "accordion" (like an air chamber). Kevlar allows you to save on the weight of each tire up to 100 g. When the rim cable is broken, the tire will be removed from the rim, if you pick up speed. After that, it cannot be restored.

The tire bead is a rubber layer with higher wear resistance. It is performed in two versions.

• Gumwall - low density of interlacing of cord threads and a thick rubber layer.

• Skinwall - cord with an improved layer of threads. Thickened rubber is used only at the edge where the tire is in contact with the rim. The advantage is less weight, the disadvantage is the price of the tire is several times higher.

The pattern and depth, the height of the tread allows you to attribute this or that tire to a certain type that determines the purpose of the product. The general pattern - with increasing tread depth, the grip of the wheel also increases with the road. The recessed negative tread leads to the extra effort exerted by the feet of the cyclist to achieve the same cycling speed.

Slick - almost unprotected tire. Such rubber has only shallow furrows along which water flows when driving on wet roads and puddles. Braking on dirty and wet roads can be unsafe for a cyclist.

Slicks are ideal for highways with improved asphalt surface when riding on special (closed) cycle tracks. Asphalt with numerous patches is also suitable. Vibration of wheels for tires other than slick takes the extra effort of the cyclist, but this is an exception.The slick is ideal for road and electric bicycles, speeds exceeding 40 km / h on the highway without a slope in relation to the horizon.

So, at the tires Schwalbe speed cruiser the rubber layer is quite soft, which allows you to rotate at a significant slope. However, it is forbidden to brake sharply on them - the cord may be exposed. The Big Apple lineup has additional Kevlar anti-puncture layers. A tread with a shallow depth, but pronounced relief will make it possible to put tires on both wheels at once.

CST City Classic Slik - universal rubber from the Chinese manufacturer Cheng Shin Rubber. Their service life is up to 9 months.

Half-slicks have a full-sized tread on the sides, on the treadmill - small lugs and / or furrows that divert water. On such tires you can ride on a country road on dry days. This is the best option for multi-day trips. For instance, Schwalbe Sammy Slick Folding tires are suitable for both city and park driving. Model Schwalbe Hurricane put on mountain bikes - it is suitable for sand and highway.

“Mountain” tires are suitable for trips on the ground, snow, gravel or sand. But it is not suitable for long trips along the highway, since it will be erased over several hundred kilometers.

So, Schwalbe Racing Ralph delivers a good mid-ride thanks to a treadmill with increased smoothness, while maintaining good traction on the sides. Suitable for all roads, including forest roads. The racing version of Evolution weighs 100 g less, but is already suitable for highways and tracks. The Continental Race King / Sport folds into an accordion due to the soft flight cord. It is also suitable for all roads.

High grousers and a wide running strip are peculiar to the crossover (city) type of tires. Suitable for all roads. There are also color modifications of them.

Winter tires are made of a softened compound and can be studded, which makes it possible to brake and turn on ice with snow. The spikes are mostly mortise. Bicycle experimenters often screw short self-tapping screws into an ordinary slick or half-slick on the back, by putting or gluing an additional layer of hard rubber or compound to protect the camera.

Kevlar tubeless cordless makes it easy to install such rubber on the rim with high sides. Sealant ("rubber glue") allows you to further strengthen the seal. When punctured, the perforation is filled with sealant without removing the wheel. A kind of tubeless rubber - airless bicycle tires - is still rare.

The "tubular" tire resembles a tireless tire. However, this is a full-fledged rubber containing a corded component. The bicycle tube is mounted on the rim by means of special glue. Compared to previous tire types it's hard to break through. Its second advantage is reduced weight compared to other tires.

However, there is absolutely no impenetrable rubber. Some users, trying to make the rubber "indestructible", insert a hose under the tire instead of a camera or several hoses that fit into each other. But such a wheel is additionally weighed by 2-3 kg, which makes the bike ride much more exhausting - this is especially felt when climbing uphill.

Tire size is noted on one of the sides. It means the diameter of the tire and its width, for example, 26 * 1.95 inches. Most foreign and a number of Russian companies indicate the size in inches. Tire width - its transverse external dimension in the inflated condition of the wheel.

The diameter of the tire rim varies for different types of bikes.

• 26 inch - mainly mountain bikes for adults.
• 12, 14, 16, 18 and 24 inches - folding bikes for adults and teens.
• 28 inch - road (city, or city bike), hybrid and road bikes for adults.
• 29 inch - a purely marketing designation, in fact, the diameter of the wheel can be 28 inches. Here, the outer diameter is taken into account, taking into account all layers of the tire. This value is “inflated” due to the increased width of the rim and rubber when inflated. On the narrow rim of an ordinary road builder, the Niner tire is not worn.
• 20 inch - mainly BMX bikes. The width of the tire is the same as that of mountain bikes (mountain bikes).

By the thickness (width) of the tire, you can also find out what bike it is suitable for.

• 18-23 mm - for a road bike. Not intended for city bikes with a wider rim, for fat bikes or “niners”.
• 25-30 mm - Suitable for road city bikes, but will not fit on the road wheel rim.
• 1.75-1.95 inch - Suitable for hybrid, mountain and folding bikes.
• 1.8-2.4 inch - for cross-country models.
• 2.5-3 inch - Suitable for certain types of hybrid, mountain, freeride and downhill bicycles intended for descent from the mountain.
• 3-4 inches - The fate of fatbikes, or bicycles with thick wheels.

The width is indicated as a decimal number - for example, 27.5 * 1.95 inches. The width record in the form of an ordinary fraction is also less common - for example, 27 * 1 ¾. Only tires are identical, where the marking is also the same. For beginners, only the choice of the size of the old bicycle tire and the similarity of the tread is suitable.

The ratio of the width of the rim and the tire itself can be as follows (values ​​are indicated in millimeters).

There is also a designation system in inches adopted by the French. The width of the tire is indicated in the form of three letters from A to D. The radius or diameter is in millimeters.

For the manufacture of the outer layers of the tire cover synthetic rubber - artificial rubber (butyl) fiber obtained from petroleum products. For durability, it is vulcanized with sulfur - here the process of manufacturing bicycle tires is similar to the similar stages in auto and motorcycle tires. Natural rubber is an order of magnitude more wear resistant, but getting it from plant fiber (it is found in the milky sap of some plants) is quite difficult.

The next layer is anti-puncture, made of especially flexible rubber. In the center of the tire, it reaches a thickness of several millimeters. If a cyclist bumps into a piece of wire from an iron brush, a lying nail (on his hat) or a splinter from a broken car windshield, this layer will absorb the cutting force. In many cases, the puncture does not even reach the cord, which saves not only the camera, but also does not affect the cord itself.

Finally, a tightly and qualitatively woven cord (forming frame) also counteracts a piercing object or particle, which nevertheless passed through the tread and anti-puncture layer of the product. Kevlar or aramid filaments form a net recessed in the rubber layer. It is more frequent and thicker than three layers of a window mosquito net, it effectively resists the puncturing effect of fragments and wire. This does not mean that you will freely travel around placers of bottle fragments on a temporary road, where any secondary building material is sometimes used, like gravel or sand.

Whatever the high-quality bicycle tire is, you will not be able to use it for 10 years or more. If car tires are able to "run" for 10 years, especially from well-known brands, for example, Michelin, then bicycle tires will not last that much. Even with proper storage, they will crack and dry out over time. A tire is a “perishable product”: after purchasing, do not delay with its installation and use.

The fact is that after 5 years of storage, it loses several times the margin of wear resistance laid in it by the manufacturer. That is why bike shops and bike markets seek to sell everything purchased on the eve as soon as possible, and on sale, as a rule, lies what has already managed to significantly deteriorate. Tires and cameras are not a frame or other metal parts of a bicycle: they will only get worse from long periods of lying.

In the market for bicycle tires, the situation changes every year, and sometimes every season, so you can’t immediately find the right one. Brands from China are widespread among budget ones - for example Chao Yang, Duro, Stels and several others. Often, the buyer pays them only not to stop somewhere in a remote country road, faced with the need to walk a bicycle tens of kilometers to the nearest district center or city on foot.

The Taiwanese company Kenda produces up to 20,000 bicycle tires and up to 30,000 bicycle cameras daily. It is a recognized leader in sales. For tires, this company produces special strips that inform the owner of the tire about the imminent wear of rubber. The company also produces tubeless tires.

• Kenda kwick roller costs 650 and more rubles. This product is suitable for city trips or out of town, but not for long cycling trips. You can ride it even in winter - a slick strip with engaging sidewalls holds the bike well on the downhill. The tire is adapted for the cycle generator thanks to the reinforced strip on the side. But in itself this product will tear when run after 2-3 thousand kilometers.

• Kenda kinetics in price reaches 1290 rubles. Studded rubber, adapted for soft soil and gravel roads, tolerates rocky areas (for example, driving along a railway embankment), and slows down well in dirt. It does not allow to disperse on smooth streets and highways.

• Kenda Kharisma - price from 1041 rubles. A tire with mud tread, designed for highways and rough roads, can go along a lane, the ride is satisfactory, the spikes do not interfere with gaining speed. Not suitable for cross country bikes.

• Kenda nevegal - costs up to 1,000 rubles. Suitable for sand and clay roads and highways. Allows you to develop speed on the track faster than previous Kenda models. Not intended for steep climbs and trips on tall grass.

The German company, whose production is located in Vietnam and Indonesia. The company has a flexible pricing system with constant quality.

• Marathon Plus Tour costs up to 3500 rubles. The SmartGuard anti-puncture layer is porous, hardy when driving over shards of glass, buttons, nail caps, etc., absorbs vibration when driving. The cord is made of compound. Suitable for all roads except off-road. The reflective strip on the sidewalls will make the cyclist noticeable on the road at night.

• Racing ralph has a similar price. Triple cord, the product itself is designed for a “niner” in the style of cross-country. Suitable for multi-kilometer marathons. Suitable for winter trips, even on the "slush", as well as on a rocky trail. Allows the cyclist to accelerate quickly on the track. Duration of action is sharply limited - aggressive riding will quickly tear such rubber.

• Nobby nic costs up to 1850 rubles. Triple compound in a cord, elastic and soft rubber. Hard rubber tread. Suitable for mountain bikes. The product allows you to go through a sharp turn at a speed during a shower. Suitable for riding in the snow. It’s easy to accelerate on this rubber, but it’s hard to maintain long high speed.

• Smart sam - price up to 1900 rubles. Designed for travel.It rolls well and fits into corners - thanks to the special structure of the spikes, it holds when turning on wet and slippery roads. Self-cleaning tread and sidewalls.

The oldest factory, which since the end of the 19th century has specialized in bicycle and car tires. 2nd rated in Europe. Patented self-repairing tire and anti-slip rubber plant.

• Sport Contact - price up to 2690 rubles. Triple cord of compound and threads, does not slip in wet weather, and on a marble-glass surface. It will surely cover up to 3500 km before the tread pattern is smoothed out. The tire is difficult to install due to the thick flight cord.

• Continental Grand Prix 4 Season It has a large margin of safety due to the reinforced carbon fiber board. Ideal for racing on broken asphalt. It is made of resistant to premature wear, but softened compound.

Taiwanese manufacturer using Japanese, American and European technologies.

• Minion DHR II - price up to 3440 rubles. Designed for descent from the mountain and mountain routes. This tire is recommended to be placed on the rear wheel. It is adapted for quick cornering, liquid mud, wet roots and gravel. Protected against sharp shock.

• Larsen TT - up to 2600 p. Reinforced compound, faster gravel passage. Dirt and stones do not interfere with good adhesion. You can climb a mountain through the grass after rain. The product is also protected from sharp shock.

French manufacturer with two centuries of history. Inventor of bicycle tires being repaired in 15 minutes. It has 70 factories located in 18 countries. Honored Industry Leader. Excellent quality at low prices.

One of the popular products is Protek max city worth up to 1000 rubles. Suitable for urban cross-country and tourist routes. It has a steel flight cord, a one-millimeter anti-puncture layer, a retroreflective tape on the sides, vibration softening. There is no slip on wet pavement.

To choose the right tire in the store, do the following.

1. Slide your finger with a noticeable force - there should not be a trace of rubber on it.
2. Pull on any of the antennae on the side - it should stretch. This indicates the elasticity of the rubber.
3. Check for defects in the area around the cord.

Other tips:

1. pick up tires with high TPI and special protection;
2. inflate the wheels to the pressure indicated on the tire;
3. If the kit includes an anti-puncture tape, place it under the camera.

See how to choose tires for your bike in the next video.