Mountain Bike Tires - How To Choose The Right Tires

The sort of tires you choose for your bike depends on what you use it for. Mountain bikes are used for many different things over different ground, and each discipline requires different tires. If you have the right tires for the job they will make it safer and improve your riding as well.

Tires either have an inner tube that keeps them inflated or they are tubeless, but which one sort should you choose?

Most tubeless tires have a thick side-wall that locks into a specific sealed-bed rim. These tires can take a beating over rough terrain so they are ideal for downhill, but the downside is that they are more expensive.

The benefits of an airtight seal and a durable, low pressure performance are outweighed by the cost. They also require a clean rim and tire to fit them, and a big pump to inflate them.

Clean conditions are not often available if the tire needs to be changed out on a trail. And even with a CO2 cartridge pump you will most likely have to use an inner tube until you can get home and fix it. Even though small holes might be repairable a big hole can mean the tire is even written off as well.

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 will get most of the advantages of a tubeless tire but with a much broader choice of rims and treads, and with the only cost being the kit and filler top ups. They will also be lighter, although you might experience similar repair problems when out riding on a trail.

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.