Bike Tyres

Bicycle tyres serve as supports for the wheels and, properly fitted with an inner tube or tubeless system, allow them to roll.
They differ in the first instance by type of surface, according to the grip they must have on the ground e.g. MTB tyres have raised rubber blocks to allow good grip, and between rigid or folding tyres.
It is good to always keep an eye on the state of wear of the bike tyres: they must not be too worn and therefore smooth as they may no longer be safe!

From the MTB world come tubeless ready tyres: this system does not require an inner tube as in traditional tyres, but the tyre casing is filled with a latex that intervenes in the event of a puncture and 'plugs' the hole, so that you can continue pedalling without having to replace the tube (not present in this system).  For some time now, this system has also been used in the road and gravel world. It is a system that is used extensively, especially in mountain biking by experienced bikers.

Here is a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of this tubeless system:

ADVANTAGES:

• self-repairs small holes
• maintains its qualities even at low pressure
• reduced rolling resistance
• reduced rolling mass
• can also be used with an inner tube if necessary

DISADVANTAGES:

• more laborious installation and difficult to repair if the tyre is cut
• somewhat higher purchase and maintenance prices
• incompatibility with certain rims that do not fit tubeless ready tyres
• in the event of a puncture, latex can stain frames, components and clothing

The classic tyre that can only and exclusively be used with an inner tube, which is now only found in the MTB world on standard bikes, is still in widespread use, especially in the road world. It can be 'transformed' into tubeless tyres by using an inner tube with latex, so you have all the advantages of tubeless but with the convenience of an inner tube.

Here is a brief summary with advantages and disadvantages of this tube system of the tube ready tyre:

ADVANTAGES:

• Advantageous prices
• Ease of intervention even in the event of a tyre rupture
• Can be used with a latex-lubricated inner tube
• Ease of use
• Cleanliness in the event of intervention

DISADVANTAGES:

• More rolling resistance
• Higher pressures
• Less comfort

For years, tubular tyres have been the most popular tyre system used by professionals on the road and in cyclocross, practically never used for MTBs. A system that lightens the rim of the bike and the tyre is glued on. The lack of convenience in the event of an intervention and a dedicated rim have prompted wheel manufacturers to shelve this technology still loved by many cyclists.

Here is a brief summary of the advantages and disadvantages of this tubular system:

ADVANTAGES:

• Very high smoothness
• Lightness of the wheel/tire system
• Bike rideability
• Puncture resistance

DISADVANTAGES:

• Difficulties in case of intervention
• Very high pressures
• Less comfort
• Dedicated rim

Bike tyre sizes vary depending on the type of tyre itself, whether it is intended to be mounted on a road, gravel or MTB bike.

1. Road bike tyres:

The standard bike wheel size in general is 700mm or 28" diameter, we will therefore indicate the various tyre sizes by stating the diameter measurement of the tyre once installed and inflated. For example a 700x25 tyre will indicate that it can be mounted on a road wheel with a 700mm/28" diameter and the diameter of the tyre fitted will be 25mm.
With the evolution of materials and compounds in recent years it has been noted that sizes are becoming more and more generous, in just a few years we have gone from tyre sizes of 19mm to 23mm to today's standard of 25/28mm, sizes unthinkable even a decade ago.
A more generous tyre helps grip on descents and makes you feel less unevenness on asphalt; it is not uncommon to find comfortable racing bikes with 32mm tyres.

2. Gravel bike tyres:

Gravel, the new frontier of modern cycling, has brought with it several innovations. Until recently, cyclo-cross (of which gravel is a direct descendant) was ridden with highly treaded 32/33mm tyres or tubulars to work in the mud of race courses; today, gravel takes the concept to extremes, the average size ranging from 700x35mm to the more generous 700x45mm, with some even going as far as 700x47mm for particular bikes and uses. A big difference is the tyre compound and the tread pattern, which for mixed terrain favours central smoothness and a slight lateral tread pattern for road holding when cornering.

Some gravel bikes are also designed to accommodate smaller 27.5" or 650b diameter wheels, in which case tyre sizes range from 650x38 to 650x45.

3. MTB tyres:

Unlike road bikes in the MTB world, the wheel diameter measurements of bikes change.
Today's standard is 29" but it is not uncommon to find models with 27" or that have the 29"/27.5" combo; fewer and fewer bikes use the old 26" standard.Since MTB is of Anglo-Saxon derivation, measurements are always expressed in inches. The MTB world today is very diverse; manufacturers offer specific bikes for each type of route, so the range of tyres is also very wide. If we take the cross-country category as an example, the sizes vary greatly depending on the route you want to ride, and with increasingly technical routes we see an increase in sizes. Usually an average cross-country tyre size is around 29 "x2.20 to 29x2.30; on all-mountain tyres we go from 29x2.30 to 29x2.40, while on enduro or electric bikes the sizes are very generous, ranging from 29"/27.5 "x 2.40 to 29"/27.5 "x 2.60.
However, there is no exact science, it all depends on the customer's preferences and the route he or she wishes to take; in this Cicli Mattio is able to guide you in choosing the best tyre for your bike.