An incredible pair of tyres can truly make any ride – on any bike – better. Our guide covers the basics of bicycle tyres, including sizing, construction and how to know when you need a new set. It’s a great place to find the information you need to help you pick the best bike tyres for however you ride.
What are bike tyres?
Bike tyres are the treaded rubber hoops that are mounted to your wheels. They connect you and your bike to the ground, and they play a critical role in making your ride great.
For example, a tyre that’s too smooth for your terrain will not offer sufficient grip and traction, and conversely, a tyre that has too much tread for the terrain can slow you down.
Think of tyres like the bike itself: You wouldn’t want to ride a road racing bike through a deeply wooded forest with rocks, roots and loose dirt. Same goes for tyres – you wouldn’t want to race a road bike with knobby, grippy mountain bike tyres!
Bikes can go almost anywhere, so there are lots of tyres to choose from that cover nearly any type or riding and riding conditions you can think of – from fresh, glassy-smooth asphalt to the muddiest-of-muddy mountain bike trails.
What types of bike tyres are there?
Most bikes come with tube-type tyre set-ups that rely on an inner tube to hold air. For most riders, this is the best place to start when looking for replacement tyres. Some higher-performance tyres may be tubeless ready, meaning they don't need to be used with tubes. Instead, they can 'go tubeless' by combining them with tubeless-ready wheels and sealant for a boost in performance. There are also tubular tyres, used mostly by professional road racers that have a tube sewn into the tyre.
Clincher bike tyres
Most bike tyres are clincher tyres, including almost all city, hybrid and kids' tyres available.
Shop clincher tyresTubeless bike tyres
If you have compatible wheels, tubeless bike tyres allow you to almost eliminate flats because instead of tubes these tyres use a liquid sealant inside that is designed to seal punctures and keep you riding even when a piece of glass or thorn cuts the tyre.
Shop tubeless tyresTubular bike tyres
Tubular bike tyres combine the inner tube and tyre into one. The tyre is then glued onto the wheel with a special glue. These tyres are less common, and generally only used by professional racers, as they require a specific wheel and special skills to install properly.
Shop tubular tyresBike tyres vs bike tubes
Bike tyres are what you see attached to the wheel while the inner tube is hidden inside the tyre and is what holds the air. If you get a flat tyre, it is important to check the tyre for any large cuts that may require a new tyre, otherwise it is quite common to only have to replace the inner tube. Also, make sure to look for the cause of the flat – such as a nail or piece of glass – and remove it from the tyre before you replace the inner tube. If you don't, you could get another flat!
What bike tyre size do I need?
Tyres come in a wide range of diameters and widths. The best place to start when searching for a replacement is on your existing tyre’s sidewall. Look for a number printed on the sidewall – typically it’s two numbers with an 'x' between them, like 700x23 or 29x2.3. The first number represents the bike tyre diameter while the second number is the bike tyre width in either millimetres or inches.
Generally, mountain bike tyres are 26˝, 27.5˝ (also known as 650b), or 29˝ in diameter while road bike tyre sizes are usually 700c. If you decide to go larger than the width of your original tyre, it’s important to check to make sure your frame and fork have adequate clearance.
What bike tube do I need?
It's also important to make sure you pick a tube with the right valve. Options include Schrader, Presta and also Dunlop for many European countries. Valves also come in different lengths for different rim depths. For example, deeper, aerodynamic road wheels often need longer valves in order for the valve to pass through the entire rim and be able to inflate the tube.
Bike tyre pressure
Tyre pressure makes a huge difference in the performance characteristics of a tyre. You can find recommended bike tyre pressure, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch), printed on your tyre’s sidewall. It might be listed as a range, a maximum or a minimum. A tyre’s pressure is highly dependent on the model and size, so unfortunately there is no universal bike tyre pressure chart.
Mountain bike tyre PSI and road bike tyre PSI are generally very different. A mountain bike tyre has a lot more volume, and therefore requires less overall pressure while a road bike tyre has much less volume and therefore requires much more pressure.
When is it time to replace a bike tyre?
Some tyres have built in wear marks, and when the tread is worn down to those marks it’s time to replace your tyres. For tyres that do not have wear marks, look for signs of wear on the treads, any levelling-off of the treads and especially any internal threads that are starting to show through the rubber or any dry-rotting rubber (rubber that looks dry, faded or cracked).
It’s important to make sure your tyres are properly inflated before each ride. Rubber is naturally a little porous, so you may notice a slow decrease in your tyre’s PSI over time. Riding with improper tyre pressure can result in premature tyre wear.
Pro tip: Regularly check your tyre pressure and inflate with a floor pump as needed. Checking your pressure and inflating your tyres is quick and easy, and will make your ride better!
What kind of bike tyre and tube should I buy?
Mountain bike tyres
Mountain bike tyres are designed for off-road use. They’re made of durable materials and feature treads designed for traction on the trail.
Road bike tires
Road bike tyres feature a smooth profile that rolls quickly and smoothly across the road surface. They are designed to be light and fast while still providing traction on the road.
Hybrid and commuter bike tyres
Hybrid and commuter tyres are designed to roll smoothly yet still provide traction. They are versatile and durable and come in a variety of treads and types to suit all kinds of city and light trail riding.
Kids’ bike tyres
Kids’ bike tyres are available in specific sizes designed to fit the smaller sizes of kids’ bike wheels.
What is rolling resistance, and why does it matter?
Rolling resistance is a measurement of how fast a tyre rolls on a surface. Your tyre’s rubber compound and tread design play a large part in determining how fast it will roll. When choosing your next set of tyres, start with a tyre that has the right amount of tread needed for your most frequent riding conditions. This helps ensure that you have enough tread to give you traction, and that you don’t have extra tread that will just slow you down.
So, how do you know if your tyres have the right amount of rolling resistance? By taking them for a spin! If you pick a tyre with too much tread, you’ll notice a slower, less efficient ride. If you choose one without enough tread you’ll notice that you lack grip and traction, especially on corners and uneven surfaces. Of course your local bike shop is more than happy to help you select the right tyres for your ride, saving you time and money spent in trial and error.
Bike tyre anatomy
Although tyres may seem like simple rubber objects, they are actually super complex technological marvels! They’re made with special casings, rubber compounds, tread patterns and even puncture-protection technologies, all designed to ensure that you have an amazing ride.
Learn more about the parts of a bike tyreBuilt for you
Bontrager prides itself on making quality, innovative components and thoughtful accessories with a rider-first, no-compromise mentality. Whether you’re looking for a replacement part, upgraded components or a fresh set of wheels, every Bontrager product is built to make your next ride better than your last.
Be confident in your decision
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with a Bontrager aftermarket purchase, return the item, along with the original sales receipt to the original place of purchase within 30 days for an exchange or refund. Think of it as a 30-day test ride.
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