The type of tires you use on your bike depends on its usage. Mountain bikes can be ridden on many different terrains and for different activities. You need different skills as well as different tires for many of these. If you pick the right mountain bike tires they will help your riding and make it safer.
Tires either come with a standard inner tube to keep them inflated or they are tubeless, so the question to answer is which one do you go for?
The majority of tubeless tires have a thick sidewall that fits into a specific sealed-bed rim. These tires can handle rough ground so they are perfect for downhill, but the flip side is the cost.
The advantages of an airtight seal and a stable, puncture-resistant, low-pressure performance are balanced out by the high price. You also need a clean rim and tire to fit them, along with a big pump to inflate them.
If a tire has to be replaced on a trail clean conditions are usually unavailable. Even with a CO2 cartridge pump you'll probably have to use an inner tube to get you home, where you can the repair the tire. Although large holes can mean the tire has to be written off, even though small holes can often be fixed.
Tubeless tires are also heavier, so if fast start times and riding speeds are required, pick a lighter tire. Tires with inner tubes are usually lighter and offer greater flexibility. They are available in more designs and tread styles, so finding the right one for your riding style might be easier as well.
You can get kits now to convert a standard tire with an inner tube into a tubeless tire. They mix a latex-based filling liquid with a rubber rim strip to seal the tire and rim. You may have to top up the filler sometimes but the cost is less than buying a standard tubeless tire.
You still get most of the low pressure advantages of a tubeless tire but with a much bigger choice of rims and treads, and with only the initial kit cost and latex top-ups to pay for. They are also lighter although the same repair problems on the trail apply unfortunately.
Whichever kind of tire you choose, it is essential to replace your tires regularly. A blow out on a trail can cause injury to you or other riders or even cost you a competition. With proper maintenance and careful selection, your tires will make a massive difference to your riding.
Tires either come with a standard inner tube to keep them inflated or they are tubeless, so the question to answer is which one do you go for?
The majority of tubeless tires have a thick sidewall that fits into a specific sealed-bed rim. These tires can handle rough ground so they are perfect for downhill, but the flip side is the cost.
The advantages of an airtight seal and a stable, puncture-resistant, low-pressure performance are balanced out by the high price. You also need a clean rim and tire to fit them, along with a big pump to inflate them.
If a tire has to be replaced on a trail clean conditions are usually unavailable. Even with a CO2 cartridge pump you'll probably have to use an inner tube to get you home, where you can the repair the tire. Although large holes can mean the tire has to be written off, even though small holes can often be fixed.
Tubeless tires are also heavier, so if fast start times and riding speeds are required, pick a lighter tire. Tires with inner tubes are usually lighter and offer greater flexibility. They are available in more designs and tread styles, so finding the right one for your riding style might be easier as well.
You can get kits now to convert a standard tire with an inner tube into a tubeless tire. They mix a latex-based filling liquid with a rubber rim strip to seal the tire and rim. You may have to top up the filler sometimes but the cost is less than buying a standard tubeless tire.
You still get most of the low pressure advantages of a tubeless tire but with a much bigger choice of rims and treads, and with only the initial kit cost and latex top-ups to pay for. They are also lighter although the same repair problems on the trail apply unfortunately.
Whichever kind of tire you choose, it is essential to replace your tires regularly. A blow out on a trail can cause injury to you or other riders or even cost you a competition. With proper maintenance and careful selection, your tires will make a massive difference to your riding.
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Read more about the importance of choosing the right mountain bike tires and get tips and advice on mountain bike maintenance here.
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