Road Bike Tires

Road bike tires

Road bike tires and wheels are pretty much of universal size, unlike mountain bike tires. Wheel size is 700c and tire sizes range typically from 22mm to 32mm. Road tires are also called “slicks” because they feature a smooth tread surface which offers the highest contact area with the ground on smooth surfaces. This ratio provides good levels of rolling resistance and grip. Tire pressure, thread count, rubber compounds, and tire width are also important factors influencing the grip of a road bike tire.

Nowadays, most road bike tires come with some additional puncture protection be it in the form of a sub-tread layer, puncture protection belt, or more rubber. The challenge for producers is to create one that won’t add weight to the tire or ruin the rolling resistance and the possible speed ultimately.

The three basic tire interface designs:

• Clincher – needs an inner tube to hold the air and the tire actually envelopes the tube and presses against the rim. The biggest advantage of this type of tire is that the inner tube stays easily accessible for patching a punctured hole or even changing the tube. They are a standard when weight, stability, and safety are concerned.
• Tubular tire is stitched close around the inner tube and it doesn’t have an opening -they are totally round. A combination of the two is then glued to the rim of a bicycle wheel. The tubular tire is very light and rides beautifully, but is more prone to punctures. That exposes its biggest drawback, being quite an ordeal to fix and install it.
• Tubeless tire doesn’t require a separated inner tube, it has continuously molded ribs integrated inside, so the air pressure forces the tire to seal with the metal wheel rim. That brings us to the main disadvantage, tubeless needs compatible rims. On the other hand, there’ll be less maintenance involved since tubeless tires are commonly injected with liquid sealants for better sealing and to prevent tires from leaking air caused by punctures. Despite the puncture, it should take you home. The future looks bright for tubeless tires for use in all types of bicycles, especially because more and more clincher tire rims are capable of taking the tubeless as well.

How often should you change your tires?

Changing the bike tire depends on several factors like the weather it is exposed to, the style of riding it is put through, what kind of terrain, and if they were ridden underinflated. Better tires will last 2500 -4000 miles. It is necessary to optically check your tires, whether you can see the carcass threads, as well as the side walls for consistency.

Take a look at our offer

At Velo Deals you will find a great offer of deals on various types of road bike tires.

If you have any questions regarding the purchase of your brand-new road bike tires feel free to contact us and we will be more than ready to assist you!