What tyre characteristics should I look for in a commuting tire?

Asked by: Jonah Humphrey

What is Commuter tyre?

Commuter tyres are specifically designed to cope with the demands of the daily commute. They often have a higher volume than standard road cycling tyres to help them roll effortlessly over uneven road surfaces, as well as increased puncture protection.

Are tubeless tires better for commuting?

On a road commute, tubeless tyres won’t speed up your journey. In spite of lower rolling resistance, adding sealant to a tyre will slow it down, as will lower pressure.

What should I look for in a road bike tire?

Selecting Road Bike Tires



Wider tires will provide more comfort, because you can run lower tire pressure without risking a pinch flat. In general, rolling resistance for each size tire should be about the same. Wider tires will have better traction and control. Narrower tires are more aerodynamic.

How long do commuter tires last?

Bicycle tires typically last between 2000 to 3500 miles. Lightweight racing tires last from 800 to 1000 miles. Touring tires are rugged and can last 3500 to 4500 miles. The quality of the tire, road conditions, and how you take care of it all play a role in how long it is going to last.

What is the difference between Gatorskin folding bead and wire bead?

The difference between folding and wire beads are not really about comfort. You could argue that the sides of a folding bead tyre are a bit softer than one with a wire bead, so if the tyres are the same or similar price, go for folding.

What size wheel is 700C?

700C is the dominant wheel size in the modern bike world, and the biggest of the top three. The other two are 26-inches, and 650B, which also goes by 27.5-inches. The approximate diameters of the rims for these sizes are: 700C = 622 millimeters = 24.5 in.

What are the disadvantages of tubeless tyres?

Tubeless cons

• More expensive. …
• Fitting is messier and more time consuming.
• Removal often requires good grip strength. …
• Air and sealant can escape (‘burping’) if the tyre bead comes away from the rim due to a sudden impact or extreme cornering force.
• Sealants that coagulate need topping up every six months.

Do pros ride tubeless?

In the world of professional road racing, tubeless tyres remain a novelty. The vast majority of pros ride traditional tubular tyres glued to tubular-specific rims, and while there have been notable instances of pros racing on tubeless, there’s been little evidence of a sea change in attitudes towards tyre technology.

Is tubeless worth going?

After all, tubeless tires aren’t 100% guaranteed to keep you from a flat tire. But, tubeless road bike tires offer greater puncture protection, they’re lighter weight, and offer a lower rolling resistance, which results in a more comfortable, more controlled ride.

How much difference do tyres make on a road bike?

Changing a single tyre can make a significant difference



“Typically 70% of the rolling resistance comes from your rear wheel and 30% from your front wheel,” says Jan. “Normally people change both of their tyres together, but the biggest change to rolling resistance is in the rear.

What does 700x25c mean?

700x25c indicates a tire with a 700mm outer diameter and a 25mm width. A third type of tire size might appear on either a mountain or a road tire: 25-622 is the International Standardization Organization (ISO) way of identifying the 700x25c tire in the example above.

What does 700x32c mean?

Here’s the simple answer: At its most basic, a 700x32c tire is around 27 1/2 inches by 1 1/4 inches (or 1.26 inches).

Why are folding Tyres better?

Folding tyres have some benefits over rigid tyres that riders may prefer. They are often lighter than rigid tyres, which can improve riding performance. Some riders find it easier to fit folding tyres, with the Kevlar bead proving more manoeuvrable than a metal bead.

Are wire bead tires harder to install?

Some tire companies make their wire beads to a lower spec than the folding ones, but some make exactly the same tire with two different types of bead. There is also a common feeling that wire bead tires are harder to mount than folding beads. Again, it depends on the tire.

Are folding tires less durable?

Bead Materials



With regular bicycle tires, the manufacturer constructs the bead using steel wire, which forms a stiff, durable bead. Folding tires instead use a synthetic fiber such as Kevlar, which is equally durable but more flexible.

What are the best mountain bike tyres for road use?

Six of the best fast-rolling MTB tyres

• Six of the best fast-rolling MTB tyres Immediate Media.
• Schwalbe Rock Razor Evo Super Gravity Trailstar Mick Kirkman.
• Bontrager XR2 Team Issue Mick Kirkman.
• Maxxis Ardent EXO TR Mick Kirkman.
• WTB Trail Boss Light Mick Kirkman.
• Michelin Wild Race’R Advanced Reinforced Mick Kirkman.

How wide are hybrid tyres?

Most hybrid and commuter bike tyres are available in two diameters: 700c or 26”. You will probably see a size printed on the sidewall of your current tyres. This is a great place to start when you need to replace a hybrid or commuter tyre. Look for two numbers: the first number is the diameter of the the tyre.

What does 700C mean?

700C tires



The “700” refers to the rough outer diameter of the tire, although the actual outer diameter will vary greatly, depending on the type of tire and tread pattern. The “C” means NOTHING; it does not stand for “centimeters.” Think about it–a 700-centimeter tire would be HUGE, over 21 feet tall!

Which tyres are best for hybrid bikes?

The Top 5 Hybrid Bike Tires

• Best to prevent punctures: SCHWALBE Marathon Plus HS Wire Tire.
• Best for Speed: Continental Grand Prix 4 Season Road Bike Tire.
• Best on a budget: Vittoria Zaffiro Rigid.
• Best for gripping to the road: SCHWALBE cx Pro Tire.
• Best all-rounder: SPECIALIZED – All Condition Armadillo Elite Tire.