Tire tips

It is essential to have good tires on your bike, as they can make a big difference on your riding.

- Types of flat tires

Pinch flats occur when you are riding on low pressure, and run over an obstacle. The pressure forces the tube to pinch between the rim and the tire. The only way to prevent this is to use more pressure.

Puncture flats occur when your ride over a sharp object, and it penetrates your tires. This can be prevented by using thick tires, or a tire lining. However, these will add weight.

- Tire composition

Different tires are made with different materials. Some tires use a harder compound, and these will have a longer life, but less grip. Soft tires are the opposite, they wear out faster, but grip more.

- Direction

Some tires work better on a specific direction. They are more efficient when they are installed the correct way. A marking on the tire will indicate the direction, such as an arrow.

- Width

Tires come in a range of different widths, generally from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches, although there are thicker tires for downhill riding. Thicker tires will inevitably weight more, and have more resistance, but they are able to grip the terrain better.

Choosing new tires

There are many different types of tires, for different types of riding and terrain. Here's a quick guide on choosing the type that's right for you.

(1) Knobby

These are the standard Mountain Biking tires. They are popular because they provide grip on almost all off road surfaces. They come with different sized knobs; the larger the knobs, the more grip, but less traction on road. They will also make a little more noise than smooth tires

(2) Hybrid

These tires do not feature knobs, instead, they resemble car tires. They are good for smooth surfaces like roads. They can be used on the trails too, however they will have trouble gripping onto loose rubble surfaces. These are good for people who ride both on and off road. Some hybrid tires feature knobs on the side, so when riding off road, they grip uneven surfaces, but don't touch the ground on road.

(3) Slick

These tires have no treads, and are designed primarily for road riding. They can still be used off road, but due to the design, it will be more difficult to grip uneven surfaces. They are also dangerous on wet surfaces, as they will slide around.

Tire pressures

Before each and every ride, you will need to check up on the pressure of your tires. Here are a few simple guidelines.

You tires should have 35-50 PSI pressure in them, depending on what you prefer. The higher the pressure, the less resistance, but also less traction. The lower the pressure, the more resistance, but more traction.

Make sure you always carry an appropriate pump with you when riding.