Choosing Mountain Bike Tires: Types & Sizes

Choosing the best bike tires is all about matching the tire to the type of bike and riding style. So join us as we dissect the various bike tire types, from slick, grippy road bike tires to knobby downhill mountain bike tires, as we explain why you should choose the best tires for your bike and riding style. 

Mountain Bike Tire Types

• Cross-country mountain bike tires are for you if you're all about speed and climbing, are a bit of a weight weenie, or plan to race. They roll faster because they are thinner and lighter than the other options. They typically have smaller, lower, and fewer knobs and distinct front- and rear-specific tires.

• All-Mountain: This is what most people mean when they say "Mountain Biking." There are Trail bikes, All-Mountain bikes, and Enduro bikes moving up in travel. The tires become bigger, tougher, and more aggressive as you progress up the ladder. Here, knobs become taller and begin to receive supporting trusses to withstand the higher speed and more aggressive cornering.

• Downhill: If you've ever been to a lift-served bike park, you're familiar with downhill bikes. They're beefy, have massive suspension, and are built extra tough to withstand serious drops, massive obstacles, and hard hits.

• Plus / Fat Bikes: These bikes have wider tire clearance. Fat bikes are commonly used in the snow because their large volume provides excellent flotation on soft surfaces. Plus bikes have tires that are between fat and trail-sized, and they were popular for a short time with 2.8′′ to 3.0′′ tires because the extra width improved comfort and traction. However, the category has largely vanished, and most regular mountain bikes and suspension forks will not accommodate tires this wide.

Choosing Mountain Bike Tires

Before purchasing mountain bike tires, keep the following points in mind:

• Tire Casing & Sidewall Protection for Mountain Bikes

Extra sidewall protection can go a long way in protecting your tire and rims if you're riding in rocky, shale, or chaussey conditions. The majority of brands have a double-layer casing or lighter-weight sidewall protection. The only penalty is weight, so consider how you normally ride.

• Rubber Compounds for Mountain Bike Tires

A good tire necessitates high-quality rubber from the start. The majority of this is due to the rubber's flexibility and durability. Lower-quality rubber will be harder and will not conform to the road or trail, sacrificing grip for better wearability, turning that wet corner into shoulder surgery. Some higher-quality tires use softer compounds or blends of softer compounds. Some will use soft, grippy rubber on the side knobs where there is less action, but in higher-consequence situations, keep the firm, longer-wearing material in the center. 

• Puncture Resistance

Many enticing trails are riddled with jagged edges and thorns, and that's why so many riders are willing to trade a little extra weight for a lot more protection. Durable rubber is beneficial, but the key to puncture resistance is found within the casing. One strategy is to use a 2-ply tire. Some tires only protect the particularly vulnerable sidewalls, whereas others are reinforced from bead to bead.

Things To Keep In Mind Regarding The Tires

• Tire Diameter-

The first place to start when looking for a new set of tires is the diameter. The diameter of a tire is the same as its height when measured in a straight line through its center. Mountain bike tires are available in 26, 27.5, and 29 inches, and 26-inch tires were widely used for many years, but most modern adult bikes have 27.5 or 29-inch tires.

• Tire Width-

The tire width is the next most important consideration after tire diameter. Mountain bike tires typically range in size from 1.6 to 2.6 inches, and this is the tire width range that most mountain bikers will use. Tire width is measured from edge to edge at the tread's beginning.

The tradeoff between grip and efficiency largely determines tire width. Thinner tires produce less rolling resistance with the ground, making them more efficient for long-distance riding. Because of their narrower width, the tire requires less material to manufacture and is lighter in weight. However, they have less grip because they have less surface area in contact with the ground.

Wider tires create more friction with the ground, providing more grip! They are better suited for loose or slippery conditions than slimmer tires, and they also roll over obstacles better. However, they are slowly rolling and heavier because of their increased grip and size. More tire material allows them to be better suited for aggressive riding while increasing puncture resistance.

Mountain Bike Tire Selection Based on Riding Style

Because no tire is perfect in every way, you should concentrate on the most important features of your riding style.

Climbing efficiency takes precedence over traction or extra durability for cross-country riding, so look for lightweight tires and roll fast. An all-terrain tire makes sense for trail riding, and you require a medium level of traction, durability, and speed.

Despite the fact that you must ride to the top, the emphasis of all-mountain biking is on descents. Tires that grip well when turning at high speeds are required, as tires can withstand moderate impacts. 

You're getting a lift to the top for downhill riding, so you'll need a burly, tenacious set of tires for gravity-fueled fun. Tires that can withstand the abuse, stick landings, and claw their way around turns are required.

Replacing Mountain Bike Tires

It's time to replace those babies when you notice:

• Side knobs that have been damaged or are missing.
• The overall deterioration of center knobs.
• Damage to the sidewalls.
• Bead Wear and Tear especially for tubeless setups.
• Casing damage.
• Bulges or general misshapenness.

Final Words

A properly chosen mountain bike tire can improve the trail's comfort, safety, and traction. Tires are literally the bike's foundation - its connection to the ground - so the tires you use have a significant impact on the quality of your ride.