Mountain Bike Tyre Guide

Mountain Bike Tyre Guide

Mountain bike tyres come in many different shapes and sizes, but with a small amount of knowledge it becomes a lot easier to choose which is correct for you. 

Tread and width

• An aggressive tread with large deep knobs will grip to loose and wet surfaces well as it can cut into the ground. However it has a greater rolling resistance.
•  On the other hand, a less aggressive tread will have a very shallow tread pattern, with wider and flatter knobs, this is better on smoother surfaces and has less rolling resistance. 
• Tyre width further affects your traction as a wide tyre will have a greater contact patch with the ground, providing the bike with extra traction especially in loose or wet conditions.
•  A narrower tyre will have a lot less rolling resistance due to the reduced contact patch, however these tyres won’t provide as much grip in corners or loose surfaces.

Compound

The next factor to take into account when choosing tyres is the compound they are made out of. This references the type of rubber that makes up the tyres. We see four main types of tyre compounds: 

• Soft compounds offer excellent grip on wet and loose surfaces, slow rolling resistance, and are more prone to wear and tear.
• Hard compounds have less grip on wet and loose surfaces but they are faster rolling. Ideal on hardpack and dry surfaces.
• Dual compound combines soft on the outside edge for cornering grip and hard compound in the centre for better rolling resistance. These are suitable for mixed terrain.
• Sticky Compound extra grippy highly suited to mud and rocks. Slower rolling and shorter life span.

Casings

• The casing of a mountain bike tire is the structure that supports the rubber tread and provides the tire's shape and durability. Different casings offer varying levels of protection, puncture resistance, and weight, making them suitable for different riding styles and terrain.

Tubeless ready Compatible (TR)