Mountain Bike Tyre Size Explained
Key factors to consider when buying a mountain bike tyre.
Mountain bike tyre size explained. There are multiple tires to consider and it s important to understand tire size. The wheel size will normally be printed or embossed on the size of your existing tyre followed by the tyre width. From 29 inch right down to 24 so make sure you get the right size of tyre for your wheelset. Plus sizing tyres is the latest trend in mountain bike tyres it s basically increasing the height of the tyre sidewall of a given wheel size to give it the roll over traits of the next wheel size up along with a gain in tyre width to add an aggressive high traction character.
The tyres on your mountain bike are what connect you to the ground so you should choose your mountain bike tyres with care and adapt them to the terrain you are riding. On hybrid or commuter bikes you often see a range of 700 x 28 to 700 x 38 tyres. Bike companies often equip hybrids with 26 inch tyres ranging in width from 1 to 1 1 2 inches. Mountain bike tyres are designed to take this extra stress but road tyres are not.
Picking the best mtb tyres can be a daunting prospect with many brands pushing a range of tread patterns widths compounds weights and sizes. Another reason not to exceed the 2 2 limit on road is that a more bulbous tyre can deflect sideways with a noticeable effect on control and roadholding. Read the size carefully sizes written as decimals such as 2 75 are different than sizes expressed as fractions such as 2 3 4. Which size is best to use and why.
Tires are essential to mountain biking the type of terrain you ride and they can have a big impact on your riding experience. So a 29 inch mtb tube will have the same diameter as a 700c road wheel while a 27 5 inch tube will be the same diameter as a 650b road wheel. Cruisers are an exception. Unlike wheel sizes which are unique to each bike frame there is more flexibility with tyre width.
For most people 27 5 mountain bike wheels are the best choice. The manufacturer s label on your wheelset should detail the size of tyre they need. A hybrid of road and mountain tires cyclocross tires are labeled as 700c and have widths indicated in millimeters like road bikes yet are knobbie like mountain bike tires. The most common question i receive regarding mountain bike wheel sizes is.
Tyre width is also an important consideration. Whether you are mountain biking on dry trails in utah or through the waterfalls of iceland having the right tires is crucial for the best riding experience. A common race bike tyre size ranges from 700 x 23 to 700 x 25 though some go narrower all the way to 700 x 18 according to zinn. On the other hand it increases the stress on the sidewall of the tyre.