The Right Tyres

Before buying tyres, you will need to check the tyre size you require and consider what style of riding you are planning on doing.

Tyre Tread Guide

Tyres have variations in width and tread patterns that allow for the different riding styles and road surfaces. This is especially true for BMX and mountain bikes as there are many variations and riding styles that can be performed. The below table should assist you in selecting the right style of tread pattern for your riding.

Tread level and pattern	Picture	Style of Riding
Minimal Tread (Slick)		Free-style BMX riding On road mountain biking Road riding (road bikes) If most of your riding time is spent on the road, it is better to have a tyre with minimal tread or slicks. This is because these tyres will allow the bike to glide along the road Slick tyres also give you greater grip and handling on the road making riding much more efficient, comfortable and safer.
Knobby Jagged or Tread Tyres		Off road riding For riders who spend less time on the road and more time in the dirt and on bush tracks Jagged tread will help the bike grip in rough unpredictable terrain and will give you much better control of the bike.
Minimum tread in the middle of the tyre and a jagged tread on the out side		For riders who do a bit of everything on and off the road.

Buying The Right Size

Once you have determined the style of tyre, you have to ensure that you are buying the right size for your wheel. The easiest way to do this is to read the side of the tyres that are currently on your bike which should have their dimensions written on them. Common tyre sizes are;

• BMX 20 x 1.95”
  
• Mountain Bike  26 x 1.95”
  
• Road 700 x 23 cm

The first number indicates the wheel size and the second number represents the width of the tyre.

Why Pay More for Tyres?

Knobbies

More expensive knobby tyres will have advanced tread patterns which will give even greater handling. They will also have a higher thread per inch ratio. The more threads per inch the better the tyre will perform and handle.

Slick

Paying more for slick tyres can have a number of advantages such as;

• Light weight
  
• Faster
  
• Greater tread per inch (more supple)
  
• Softer rubber  = Greater grip / handling
  
• Dual Compound, with harder rubber in the centre and softer rubber on the sides will give you a tyre that is fast and durable with good grip.