Bicycle tires: photos, varieties, labeling, selection tips

Any owner of a two-wheeled non-motorized bike is faced with the problem of replacing a bicycle tire. Knowledgeable people recommend paying attention to the size of the rubber, which is indicated on the side, and acquire a similar model. Most rims also have a seating index and width. However, it is not always possible to read the number clearly, or there is a need to install a more modern version. Next, let's try to figure out how not to make a mistake when choosing.

Rim dimensions

The first thing you should pay attention to is the size of bicycle tires. The unit is an inch or millimeter. In the latter case, the most popular indicators are:

• 20, 18, 16 mm - for children's bicycles.
• 24 - teenage models.
• 26 - mountain modifications.
• 26, 27, 28 - for adult bikes.

It is also necessary to take into account the rim diameter. This parameter is important because it determines the interchangeability of tires. As a rule, the corresponding numbers are applied to the indicated element, which are the main reference point for the selection of the corresponding camera and tire.

Features

It is worth noting that bicycle tires are marked in several ways. Confusion in this matter appeared in the middle of the last century. Even now, in the British Isles and France, there is a separate notation system.

Initially, the outer diameter of the tires in inches or millimeters was taken into account. Soon, this practice became irrelevant, since products with the same outer size began to be produced with different rim diameters. To this factor should be added the various marketing moves of manufacturers and the margin of error when rounding indicators in inches. To optimize all sizes, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a generic 5775, or ETRTO.

Marking Bicycle Tires

In this regard, several methods are distinguished (examples of notation are given in parentheses):

1. ISO marking (ETRTO). The method belongs to the most accurate and most convenient. All dimensions are in millimeters. For example, 24-620, where the first digit is oriented to the width, and the second to the diameter.
2. Readings in inches as a fraction. 26 * 1 1/8 (outer diameter and width).
3. Similar decimal marking.
4. Inch marks with several numbers (26 * 1 5/8 * 1 3/8 - external size / height / width of the product).
5. French notation. Usually they are found in Europe, at first they were applied with letters from A to D. (700 V - the figure characterizes the outer diameter, and the letter characterizes the width). Modern marking of this type has become more understandable (700 * 35C - an additional number in front of the letter indicates the internal landing size in mm).
6. On Soviet modifications, the designations were indicated in millimeters (first the inner diameter, then the landing indicator).

Compatibility table of various sizes

The table below shows the parameters of tires and their purpose is briefly described.

Recommendations

When choosing a bicycle tire, pay attention to the following points:

• If the product is narrower than the rim, the probability of punctures and damage to the last element increases significantly.
• With a significant difference in width, the controllability at low speeds decreases, the side of the product wears out quickly, sometimes the tire breaks at a sharp turn.

The width of bicycle chambers and tires directly affects the ability to coast and traction. One of the optimal parameters is the ratio of the size from 1.5 to 2.5 times in comparison with the seat of the rim. This feature affects the behavior of rubber during sharp turns and maneuvers.

Nuances of inch sizes

When choosing bicycle tires, you should pay attention to one important feature, if the marking is indicated in inches. Dimensions can be applied both in the form of decimal (26 * 1.75), and a simple fraction (26 * 1 ¾.). If you look at it from a mathematical point of view, the indicators are equal to each other. However, in practice, the interpretation of bicycle tires in the footprint may not coincide. Moreover, such products are often not interchangeable.

Manufacturers

The following is a brief overview of products from popular and well-known manufacturers. The description begins with Continental bicycle tires. They are of high quality, manufactured since 1892. The company remains true to tradition and produces a limited range. Nevertheless, the company's popularity is growing every year around the world, not only among bicycle owners, but also among motorists.

Maxxis ("Maxis") and Michelin ("Michelin")

The first brand is not as famous in the world market as many of its competitors. The company itself began its work in 1967 in Taiwan. The products of the concern are of high quality in combination with an affordable price. By cons, users include a small selection of typical sizes of bicycle tires. The brand is focused on the production of the most popular products in this segment.

Michelin for many users is associated with Formula 1 racing. For cyclists there is a good assortment that is known throughout the world since the end of the 19th century. Unfortunately, in the domestic market of two-wheeled non-motorized bikes, this brand is represented very poorly.

Bontrager and Nokian ("Nokian")

The Bontrager brand is better known as a motorcycle company whose products are distinguished by high reliability and durability parameters. Since 1995, the company came under the control of Trek Corporation. As the decoding and labeling of bicycle tires from this manufacturer shows, all-terrain models prevail in the catalog.

Some consumers have a very mixed attitude to the Nokian brand. Some of them note the rapid wear of rubber and low quality along with fairly high prices. The most popular modifications from this brand are winter road and aggressive tires for winter trips. In the summer assortment there were no particularly successful options.

Hutchinson and WTB (VTB)

Hutchinson is one of the world leaders in the production of rubber and metal products for the automotive and related industries. The high quality of these products classifies them as “premium”, the price also corresponds to the class. Not all versions from this company are presented in Russia, however, finding the most popular models will not be difficult.

Wilderness Trail Bikes, WTB is a world famous bicycle brand. Born in California, the company specializes in the production of off-road bicycle tires, the price of which can range from $ 20 or more per unit. This brand practically does not recognize light-running modifications.

Tioga and Inoue Rubber Co

The American company Tioga is named after the well-known "health trail" in the United States that connects the Ussemite Valley and southern California. This brand is purely bicycle, specializing in the production of high-quality products. In the domestic market, products of this brand are quite problematic to find, due to the high cost of original tires and other parts.

Another very rare brand in Russia - IRC (IRS) is characterized by reliability, durability and practicality. Not much is known about this company, as well as about its products. Experts say that the brand is reliable, holds a high level for many years and is in no way inferior to its competitors.

Two leading brands

Kenda "(Kenda") is one of the most popular brands of bicycle tires in the world. The company is cooperated with many pro-riders developing their own treads. The company's assortment includes “shoes” for bikes of a wide variety of configurations. Most users are satisfied with the products of this brand and recommend them for all categories of cycle machines.

Schwalbe (Schwalbe) is a manufacturer that focuses on racing and mountain models. High quality is accompanied by a similar price. However, some cyclists note that these tires often break in the running part of the tread when the outer cord layer is worn. According to the manufacturer, he took this problem into account, and now the quality has become more stable, and the manufactured products are more reliable.

Testing

Since there are many firms producing bicycle tires, it does not seem realistic to test all modifications. Above in the review are the brands that are most often found on the domestic market. Among them are two leading brands (Kenda and Schwalbe), which specialize in the production of bicycle tires. Other companies are focused more on automotive counterparts, however, in the segment under review they show good results.

In addition, there are specialized firms that are practically not represented in Russia (CST, Geax, IRC, and some others). Also on domestic open spaces are actively promoting tires made in China . Some of them have good characteristics, while other options are just a waste of money. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the marking, trade certificates and the conformity of the indicated dimensions to the landing jack and the actual parameters.

Instead of a conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to dwell on the speed qualities of tires. As tests have shown, to accelerate a bicycle to 40 km / h requires a power of about 280-350 watts. Most of the effort is leveled by air resistance. Another important factor is the rolling moment. That is, if each tire has this indicator in the region of 50 W, a total of 100 W is spent to maintain speed. From this we can conclude that soft and wide tires roll faster, but the structure and configuration of the tread play an equally important role. In testing, vulcanized tires prepared in a special form, allowing rubber to penetrate into all layers of the product, showed themselves well in all respects. However, the price of such a product is several times higher than simple analogues.