Bicycle tire test – we provide clarity

When it comes to bicycle tires, there are many questions to ask. Different size specifications, incomprehensible designations on the bicycle casing, various profiles, different tire widths, "unflattable tires", spikes and much more often cause confusion. So that you know in the future what the designations on bicycle tires are all about, what kind of casing you need for your bike, which tread and which width is recommended for your riding style, we’ll try to shed some light on the subject.

What do the numbers on the bike mean??

In order to buy a bicycle cover, the size must be observed. In europe, three different designation systems are used, so it is important to check exactly which system is used to designate the tire.

Size specification ETRTO

The DIN standard ETRTO tire designation refers to the tire width as well as the inner tire diameter (nominal rim diameter) and can be z.B. Look like this: 37 – 622. The nominal size refers with the first value to the width of the jacket in inflated condition. The second designation quantifies the inner diameter of the bicycle tire. Both values are given in the unit of measurement millimeter (mm). If you have ever configured a bicycle computer, you may know the diameter table of some manufacturers.

Size specification inch (variant 1 and variant 2)

The first digit of the size in inches refers to the diameter of the bicycle tire. the second value indicates the width of the bicycle tire. We distinguish between two variants:

Here is an example: inch variant 1: 28 x 1.40 – outer diameter approx. 28 inch, width approx. 1.4 inch

With the 2. In addition to the outer diameter of the tire and the width of the casing, there is a third parameter, namely the height of the tire. The tire height is indicated by the second dimension. In addition, the numbers are partially declared as a fraction.

Here is an example: inch variant 2: 28 x 28 × 15/8 × 13/8 – outer diameter 28 inch, 15/8 inch tire height, 13/8 tire width.

French specification for bicycle tires

The French specification in millimeters, FRA for short, specifies the outer diameter, width and height of the tire and looks like this, for example: 700 x 35C. 700 corresponds to the tire outer diameter; 35 is the tire width. The FRA also provides for 3 letters that refer to the tire height:

• A=30 mm
• B=33 mm
• C=39 mm

attention: when buying a new cycling coat, always choose a coat with the size specification you already ride on your bike. The different sizing systems are not compatible with each other. If you z.B. If you have a bicycle tire with a tire width of 1.5 (according to inch variant 1), you cannot use a tire with a width of 11/2 according to inch variant 2.

It all depends on the finish of the casing

In addition to tire size, bicycle tires also differ in material, quality and profile. In addition, tire width and tread or even spikes significantly affect the driving experience.

clincher: the standard tire

Most cyclists ride on wire wheels, which have metal wires in the tread for better durability. Wire tires are divided into folding tires (easily bendable threads) and balloon tires. Balloon tires absorb vibrations particularly well and can be ridden with less pressure.

Tubular tires: tires for professionals

In professional sports, tubular tires are predominantly used, in which the casing is sewn around the tube. However, tire repair is very time-consuming and the tires are expensive to purchase. On the other hand, tubular tires offer attractive advantages from a sporting point of view, as they have a low rolling resistance and low weight.

"unflat tires": never have a flat tire again

These bicycle tires have a puncture protection built into the casing. depending on the model, glass shards or tearing can penetrate up to 3 mm or 5 mm into the casing without flattening the bicycle tire. The manufacturers of such unflat bicycle tires use particularly high-quality and resilient materials, which are less susceptible to weather influences, form less wear and cracks and show significantly less abrasion. What are bicycle tires made of??

The casing consists of a rubber compound that varies depending on the manufacturer and the demands placed on the bicycle casing. Depending on requirements, the material mix should be particularly durable, have low abrasion, run with low rolling resistance or ensure high grip on demanding routes. With these tires, the correct tire pressure is also crucial for proper functioning.

Overview of different bicycle tires

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DATA STATUS: 30. January 2022 15:10 –

Why are there different tire profiles for bicycle tires??

Depending on the routes you ride and the speed at which you ride your bike, the tire tread affects the riding performance. Very narrow tire treads offer low rolling resistance and make fast riding easier. Very fine road bike tread has good grip, even when there is sand on the road. Wide road tires with a pronounced tread pattern grip particularly well, and studded tires make winter cycling safe even on slippery roads.

It should not be a surprise that a MTB with thick tires goes much better through the terrain than a road tire on a trekking bike. With e-bikes, you have to take a closer look; if you are riding an S-pedelec, the tire should be approved for speeds of up to 50 km/h or faster. If you have to patch your tire once, you should always check for foreign objects first. Read more in the article on the bicycle repair kit.

Since bicycle tires have numerous characteristics depending on the material, processing and tread, you should always read the product description carefully when buying a tire to find out what kind of use the tire is intended for. In our bicycle tire test, the schwalbe marathon performed very well, as did the schwalbe marathon plus.

The normal structure of a bicycle

In most everyday bicycles, the bicycle tire consists of a bicycle casing and a tube. Both together form the bicycle tire. The hose rests on the rim band and is filled with a bicycle pump via a valve. we enclose everything with a jacket, this is the part that is popularly known as a bicycle tire. The hose presses against the inside of the bicycle shell and builds up pressure. How much pressure may be given to each coat is written on the side of the coat.

Tubeless bike tires

In the sport area it happens that tubeless tires are used. Here the hose is missing and the air is pumped through the valve directly into the jacket. However, this is only possible if the shell and the bicycle rim are connected in an airtight way. use sealing milk, this closes the small holes and pores. This type of bicycle tire has a smoother running property, but is not so easy to patch a hole in the casing.

rim lifters make the work of changing the coat easier

So that the bicycle casing can be pulled off the rim and put back on again without damage, so-called tire lifters are used. This allows a plastic train to be pushed between the casing and the rim to lift the casing off the latter. The rim and the shell will not be damaged in this way.