Tyres
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Tyres
Tyres are the contact point between your bike and the ground. With changing seasons or changing weather conditions, you might wish to consider what type of tyre to use. Your bike will have a maximum tyre width that it can accommodate and if you have mudguards this might be further reduced, so it’s worth finding this out before you consider your options.
What to consider
Environment
Are you cycling on roads, on canal paths or through forest tracks? As you’d imagine the more slippery and rugged the conditions are, the more grip you’ll need from your tyre.
Time of year
If you want to cycle through the whole winter it is worth investing in grippier winter tyres. They have metal studs in the tyres which help grip the road in on ice or frosty conditions.
Size of wheel
Not all wheel sizes are the same! This is a common mistake to make when new to cycling, so make sure if you’re buying a new tyre it’s the size you need. Tyres have the size printed on the outside.
Road Tyre
These skinny tyres have no tread markings and are designed for cycling on smooth tarmac roads. They need to be inflated to a high pressure so don’t offer much comfort when cycling over bumps.
Hybrid Tyre
Hybrid tyres offer a good balance of comfort, grip and better puncture protection than a road tyre. They are generally slightly wider than road tyres, and will most likely have a semi-slick pattern to give a bit more grip without too much resistance.
Mountain Bike Tyre
These tyres have a thick tread pattern which offers more in the way of grip, but more drag on smooth surfaces. There are lots of different options available depending on the type of riding you want to do.
