Bicycle tire - bike shoes

A bicycle is a maneuverable, economical, environmentally friendly transport, very useful for maintaining fitness and health. Of course, if it is chosen with skill, assembled from quality blocks and parts, it meets your needs. The most important place in the design is occupied by the wheel, the rubber component of which, as a rule, is the weakest link. How to choose tires for a bicycle, what factors to consider when choosing - we will understand in more detail.

Bicycle tire under the microscope

It is clear that the skeleton of a bicycle without rubber (puncture, burst) is not a means of transportation, but iron, which you will have to carry to the house. That's why it's important to choose the "shoes" for your bike carefully. Bicycle tires are handling, performance of tasks, the behavior of the machine in various conditions on different surfaces. To avoid stressful situations due to a "punctured wheel", we will study this rubber product in more detail.

Tire construction

A lot depends on the tires on a bike. Therefore, when choosing, the main thing is not budget, driving style, brand, but technology, materials, build quality. The tire is made of synthetic rubber, it is applied in several layers to the carcass. This advanced technology is called "compound". Rubber today can be natural and artificial, natural - more durable.

The composition of the compound includes silicon. Rubber turns out to be of different hardness, you can measure it with a durometer: the larger the number, the harder the composition. Experts advise putting soft, sticking to the road rubber on the front wheel, hard and less subject to abrasion - on the rear.

The product consists of three parts:

• frame;
• tread;
• side ring (board cable).

Base - cord

Frame - woven synthetic threads arranged diagonally or radially in several layers, creating a solid base. It is called a cord, its duty is to maintain its shape and size. Cord density is calculated by the number of thread stitches per inch, denoted in the characteristics (specialization) - TPI.

The higher the TPI, the less rubber in the wheel (downhill and freeride are separate indicators).TPI indirectly determines the type, weight, cost of the entire bike. Economy options have a density from 24 to 67. TPI up to 320 - bikes are lighter and more expensive, racing ones. Highways - 60-130 TPI. City ones have a TPI of less than 50, they are cheaper, but heavier.

There are several types of tires:

• Skin-wall - TPI from 44 and above: thin sidewalls, flexible, high-speed, but easily damaged. Beading cable - Kevlar;
• Black-wall - standard, with average indicators;
• Gum-wall - TPI below 30, a lot of rubber on the sidewalls, heavy, budget. The flange is always a steel ring.

When choosing, evaluate your requests: riding to work or in the park - Black-wall is suitable, active skiing - you can choose Skin-wall, tourism - definitely Gum-wall.

footprint pattern

Why is a three-dimensional pattern made on the tire? The tread pattern is responsible for grip, noise level, drainage efficiency, and speed performance. The protector has two zones:

• central - works directly with the coating;
• shoulder - gives grip when cornering.

Large sparse teeth have more resistance to forward movement, better grip. A fine pattern works better on pavement and glides through mud. There are additional teeth (transition zone), this adds control in corners, but reduces speed.

According to the drawing, the protector happens:

• directed;
• non-directional;
• asymmetric.

For different tasks and disciplines, completely different “patterns” have been developed:

• Slick (road) - practically without a pattern, for dry hard surfaces, with paths for water drainage.
• Semi-slick - central zone without a pattern with a groove for water drainage, shoulder - lugs. Flat dry roads, forest trails. Suitable for cross country.

• Racing - several rows of small hooks. On asphalt they wear out quickly.
• Urban (crossover) - high lugs, bright treadmill in the center. Driving on asphalt and dry primer.
• Polyvalent - powerful, maximum grip on the road surface. Cross country, urban asphalt, parks.
• Mountain bike - aggressive protrusions "stick" to the track, speed is not their forte. Only for rugged terrain, they are erased on asphalt.
• Freeride and downhill - large projections of the pattern, reinforced construction. Only for descents on cross-country terrain. Heavy, stable.
• Mud (gravel) - the ledges are large and far apart so that the dirt does not clog. Thin to sink into the mud all the way to the main surface where the negative tread provides traction. They put on mountain models, not for asphalt.
• Winter - soft compound and spikes to slow down and turn around on icy roads.
• Tubeless folding - put on special rims (high), sealant with glue. Tubeless cycling shoes are repaired with a puncture without removing from the rim.

bead ring

The edges of the tire are reinforced with Kevlar threads (rarely aramid), in some models - steel rings (clincher). Kevlar and aramid are a more expensive material, differing in that such a product can be folded compactly, they weigh less. There is no difference in ride quality. The bead cable is needed for a secure fit on the rim. If it is damaged, the cap can be thrown away. The advantage of a steel edging is that it costs half as much, the disadvantage is that the steel cable can fluff and the wires will pierce the chamber.

Tire sizes

This parameter depends on the size of the wheel.The wheel diameter in inches is always listed on the vehicle specification. Traditionally, for different types of bikes, we have diameters (in inches):

• highway - 27-28;
• mountain - 26;
• hybrids - 28;
• niners - 29;
• BMX - 20.

However, the width may vary. The diameter and width are indicated in inches on the side, for example - 26 x 2.3.

Popular brands - quality assurance

Ranking the best bike tires is an almost impossible task. Because there are hundreds of varieties of these same bikes in terms of wheel diameter, direction, type, season, for each model there are dozens of sizes and offers from different manufacturers. If you do not go into specifics (road cars, children's, winter ...), but tell about the best models of leading brands - the task is doable.

Bicycle tires are made by many different companies. The Russian market has its own leaders among experienced consumers of these products. Let's listen to their opinion, we will study several brands of popular manufacturers.

Kenda

The most popular brand in the world. Taiwanese company with a good reputation. It produces about 20,000 tires and 30,000 tubes per day for any bike. Leader in terms of volume and sales in the bicycle industry. A wide range of tires is here: for any type, any model of bike, any wheel diameter Kenda has the right shoes. The company produces special strips for tires - wear indicators. There are rubber with puncture protection, tubeless tires. Reliable, high-quality material, the warranty period rolls completely.

Kenda Kwick Roller

650 rub.

Fastest and most budget. TPI - 30, weight - 430 g. K-Shield - anti-puncture layer. It is not recommended to walk on such a long hike.Suitable for hybrids, city bikes. The indicators for the winter period are good. The tread is slick, but it does not lose grip on the asphalt, it confidently holds on the slopes.

• great price;
• showed themselves worthy in winter;
• quickly installed, easily go into the rim;
• without sliding rolls on wet asphalt, from hills;
• the track for the dynamo is a nice bonus.

• the sides are weak, quickly torn;
• heavy because of the steel frame, which protects from glass, but there are no other sharp thorns.

Kenda Kinetics

1 086 - 1 290 rubles.

Tubeless tires (mountain bike). Weight - up to 1.2 kg. Will appeal to those who are used to riding with spikes. The sole is smooth, without a pattern - the usual "spiky" rubber. The rear and front differ in different patterns, but identical spikes. The design perfectly passes loose soil, gravel road, rocky areas. On a hard trail, the technique becomes stiff, and in the mud, the spikes slow down.

When cornering, the wheels behave perfectly - safety is guaranteed even on a gravel bed. The bike picks up speed and brakes easily. True, his speed is very low, on flat surfaces it is reduced by spikes. And a decent weight increases traction with the surface.

• great off-road bike shoes, the most extreme trails will pass;
• great price;
• on rykhlyak it is controlled, as on asphalt, stable;

• weighs 26-inch - almost 900 g.

Kenda Kharisma

1041 rub.

Tubeless tires (on MTB) look like babies, weigh - 880 g. The tread is mud, the pattern is low-profile, the spikes are medium, sloping. Works great on hard surfaces, average results on loose ground. The movement creates a smooth, rolling, without braking spikes.Turns fly safely. Reliable, strong.

• pleasantly pleased with the price with good performance;
• walks confidently on difficult routes;
• excellent option, medium size, low profile.

• weighs a lot, not suitable for cross-country.

Kenda Nevegal

990 - 1,000 rubles.

There are different wheel sizes, but more reviews go to wide ones - 26 and 29 inches. TPI - 60, weight - 0.7 kg - the lightest and narrowest. Kenda Nevegal is the queen of racing on sands, clay with stones, forest paths with roots. The Stick-E tread with soft protruding blocks gives good grip and does not interfere with speed. The profile is quite even, most of it is in contact with the track, which gives good stability. On straight sections, low spikes do not slow down the roll.

• universal - for any type of road, predictable, reliable;
• keeps stable on turns, goes faster than many;
• help a professional, teach beginners;

• on the rises, it rolls on the grass worse than on the ground, you have to rest.

Schwalbe

The respected German racing tire brand is considered the leading brand in Europe. Schwalbe translates as "swallow". The company deals only with bicycles - tires for highways and mountain bikes. Schwalbe tires are popular for quality and pricing. Every year, new products appear under this brand, quality improves. Today, Schwalbe chambers hold air better than any other. Production shops are located in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Marathon Plus Tour

2 054 - 3 500 rubles.

TPI - 50, weight - 975 g. The main advantage is SmartGuard - a layer of foamed rubber against punctures, they are not afraid of spikes, glasses, buttons.Another useful and original point is the reflectors on the side surfaces. Cord compound guarantees durability. But most importantly, they cope with both asphalt and off-road.

Anti-puncture layer at the same time dampens vibration, making the ride as comfortable as possible. Cyclists around the world write enthusiastic reviews, finding no flaws in this model.

• excellent grip, while accelerating quickly and holding speed;
• in the evening, the reflective strip looks stylish, cool, safe;
• Goes softer on tarmac and gravel than any other surface.

• price.

Racing Ralph

3 266 - 3 500 rubles.

Tubeless for the niner - a bike with large wheels (29 inches), weight - 600 g. A very popular model - tenacious nimble, have a lot of advantages. One of them is an improved pattern adapted to a large diameter. The 127 PSI carcass and the snakeskin fabric add just 40g to the weight. Triple-compound flex cord, stiff center section, and fine pattern help build speed. The security remains high.

When it comes to cross-country racing tires, these are the best. They will help in both short races and marathons. They have proven themselves well on tracks of any complexity, on any off-road they do not lose grip and speed. It would seem that the low-profile tread is less stable, but here everything is calculated and thought out: on stones and in loose snow porridge, the bike remains predictable and manageable. By increasing the size, the manufacturer has improved the design - the shape and arrangement of the spikes helps to gently enter the turn. And the side spikes were straightened so that when tilted, the bike behaved calmer.For the same purpose, an additional studded row appeared.

• with such large wheels, these shoes give instant acceleration;
• light, fast;
• excellent grip on all surfaces, even in rain and water.

• the service life is limited, although this may be the result of ruthless exploitation;
• are too expensive.

Nobby Nick

1 286 - 1850 rubles.

The mid-volume tire opened up new possibilities for mountain biking. The base of the Racing Ralph flex cord is triple compounded here. The frame is made from the most elastic rubber. Rigid strip in the center, 3 rows of spikes increase the patency and increase the strength of the product.

The grippy side studs provide complete safety during high-speed cornering in the rain. The know-how with spikes consists in cutouts: the side cutouts are half-cut, and the central cutouts are perpendicular cutouts. They are not often located, which makes it easier to move through the mud.

Mountain bikes are traditionally great hard bikes. With Nobby Nic shoes, they get a smooth ride. With all the bells and whistles, the model weighs only 495 g. A nice little thing: it’s quite easy to put on a wheel without a bead. The tire has information about the direction of the pattern during installation, this is important for obtaining all the voiced characteristics when riding.

• they do not slip on the snow, even at speed and in the ascent;
• side walls are strong, not afraid of sharp stones;
• the bike goes perfectly through mud, puddles, roots, does not get stuck in clay, the wheels are self-cleaning;
• work perfectly on the front wheel on the most difficult tracks.

• on loose snow, the rear wheel is less stable;
• with a good starting speed, then the speed is not cruising due to the spikes.

smart sam

1 250 - 1900 rubles.

Quality bicycle tires for tourism. The traditional size is 26, weight is 620g. The atypical square shape helps to roll and maximize cornering grip even in wet weather. Light weight, side studs make cornering easy at good speed. The spikes are located tightly, if you pump up a lot, you get an almost smooth tread, the speed will increase. Bonus - self-cleaning rubber.

• puncture protection;
• reinforced side walls will not burst;
• goes easily on surfaces of varying complexity, universal.

• not fixed.

Continental

One of the oldest car and bike tire manufacturers in the world. The history of the Continental has been going on since 1892! They produce a certain assortment in the best traditions of quality. In European rankings, this brand ranks second, in world rankings it is always among the leaders. Known for impeccable quality, continuous improvement of products. They are the pioneers of anti-skid tires and studded rubber, the creators of self-repairing tires (for punctures).

Sport Contact

1 720 - 2 690 rubles.

Sports tires 28 mm, for the road, weight - 490 g. TPI - 180 (three layers). Excellent performance in urban environments. The compound is soft, grip is excellent. When testing, it confidently overcomes rails and glass in wet weather.

It is reliably known that it is possible to roll 3500 km on it until the tread is completely erased. This is not very good wear resistance. There is puncture protection. The onboard cable is strong, you will have to install it with physical effort.

• it is very convenient to move around the city, it does not shake, does not vibrate;
• stable, reliable adhesion to asphalt.

• bald quickly;
• difficult to install.

Maxxis

A Taiwanese brand, quite young, but distinguished by the excellent quality of the goods produced. There are several flagships and a narrow range sector. Production shops - 10 factories, all in Asia. The production is fully automated, the products are based on modern technologies of Japanese, American, European developers.

Minion DHR II

3 285 - 3 440 rubles.

An updated version for downhill riding in the mountains. It has a double layer of durable rubber on the sides, a new tread and excellent tenacity. Size - 27, weight - 1265 g, TPI - 60. Taking into account all the characteristics, we get more grip, simplified braking and cornering. Mounted on the rear wheel.

The drawing has changed dramatically. Large blocks of spikes alternate with pairs of small ones, they are located closer to the center. There are more transverse grooves on the side spikes, now the bike sole “communicates” with the surface more densely. Turns can be passed at maximum speed without braking at all. These tires are not afraid of liquid mud, gravel, wet roots.

If a two-ply cord seems heavy (with a metal bead), you can choose a model with Kevlar and a single ply coating.

• this is the best rear wheel tire for hard downhill;
• braking and acceleration performance is beyond praise;
• There is shock protection.

• Very expensive.

Larsen TT

2 360 - 2 600 rubles.

TPI - 60, weight - 620 g, size - 26.In the updated Larsen TT model, the compound has become tougher, this will extend the life of the bike shoes. They were faster on gravel. Grip on corners in mud with stones is quite strong, it rolls confidently on dry surfaces, and it does not slip on wet grass uphill. But liquid substances are not for them - the side spikes are too small for a confident ride in wet conditions. The thin sidewalls are puncture resistant. There is an anti-shock margin of safety.

• stronger, will last longer;
• steadfastly withstood the impact on the barrel, did not burst;
• democratic price with such opportunities.

• walks too slowly on asphalt;
• in the rain, grip is minimal, dangerous;
• weighs too much.

Michelin

An old French company that thinks not only about technical progress, but also about social progress. Leads history from the beginning of the XIX century. It produces an expensive high-quality product and is quite budgetary. It is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Production takes place in 18 countries - 70 factories. Their know-how is bike tires that can be repaired in 15 minutes, radial cords. Michelin is ergonomics, all-season, quality.

Protek Max City

956 rub.

TPI - 22, weight - 750 g, size - 26. Tires of the middle price segment for riding on city streets. But they will do an excellent job with cross-country and tourist trips. Steel side, 1 mm anti-puncture layer, wide surface will create a feeling of comfortable movement. The side walls have reflective tape.

This rubber provides excellent shock absorption by absorbing vibration. On a flat surface, the speed is quite decent. Without spikes, turns are easy to pass, quite tenacious, do not slip on the surface even in wet weather.

• very convenient, economical transport, maintains health;
• budget price;
• Bigger tires give you more confidence on the road.

• not fixed.

Tips from seasoned cyclists

It is not necessary to replace tires in the absence of knowledge about certain characteristics, even if the camera is completely damaged. Entrust this matter to specialists. By purchasing the specified model, you can check the quality of the rubber offered to you by the seller. The simplest quick tests are:

1. Press down on the camera and forcefully swipe over the surface: if a dark mark remains on your hand, the quality is poor.
2. On any product there are antennae left after casting. Pull the antennae: it does not stretch, it breaks - bad rubber.
3. Carefully check that the onboard cord is even, not damaged, the walls do not have cracks, folds, or damage.

If there is no one to tell you what kind of “shoes” you need to buy an iron horse, buy exactly the same one that you ruined. Rewrite all the numbers and letters on the tire, take a picture of the tread, brand.

To change shoes less often, try to avoid punctures. Not everything can be foreseen, but something can be done:

1. The tire is always marked with the pressure to which it needs to be inflated. Try to meet this indicator: over-inflated and under-inflated are more prone to punctures.
2. The easiest way is to buy tires with protection.
3. Before inserting the tube into the tire, place a special anti-puncture tape there.
4. Buy high TPI tires.

A spare wheel is not provided on a bike, so always have a repair kit or a special adhesive-sealant on hand.Ride to your heart's content, test your limits on adrenaline-fueled trails, lose weight on cycle tracks - cycling is good for everyone!