Road bike tires are a crucial component of your bike, affecting everything from speed and comfort to safety and handling. Understanding the different sizes, widths, and types of road bike tires can help you make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right tires for your bike. In this blog post, we’ll explore modern road bike tire sizes, widths, and types, and provide you with the information you need to know to make the best choice for your cycling needs.
Tire Sizes, Rim Diameter & Width:
Road bike tires come in a variety of sizes, with the most common being 700c. This refers to the diameter of the tire, which is approximately 622 millimeters. The width of the tire can vary. Previous thinking was that narrow tires (23mm or even 21mm) were faster and more aerodynamic. But current research shows that the wider tires (25mm & 28mm) are just as fast and the wider tires offer more comfort and stability.
For example, a 700x23c tire would have a width of 23 millimeters, while a 700x28c tire would have a width of 28 millimeters. It’s important to note that the actual width of the tire can vary depending on the rim width and the manufacturer.
Tubular, Clincher, and Tubeless:
There are three main types of road bike tires: tubular, clincher, and tubeless and each requires a specific wheelset:
Tubular tires: These are glued onto the rim and are typically used by professional cyclists. I absolutely don’t recommend riding tubular wheels / tires as a recreational rider. If you have a flat, you can’t repair it on the road, so unless you have a support vehicle following you with an extra wheelset, your ride is over at that point. Again, Not Recommended for recreational riders!
Clincher tires: These have been around for ages, and are the most common type. They are held in place on the rim by the tire bead.
Tubeless tires: Are similar to clincher tires but do not require an inner tube.
When to Replace a Road Bike Tire:
Road bike tires typically last between 1,000 and 3,000 miles, depending on factors such as the type of tire, the road conditions, and your riding style. It’s important to regularly check your tires for signs of wear, such as cuts, cracks, or bulges, and to replace them if necessary.
For example, if you notice that your tire is starting to show signs of wear after 1,000 miles, it’s probably time to replace it. Similarly, if you notice a cut or bulge in your tire, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible to avoid the risk of a blowout.
How to Replace a Road Bike Tire:
It’s simple! Once you’ve done one, it just gets easier. You can absolutely do this at home with the right tools. You’ll need a tire lever, a pump, and a new tire. The process typically takes around 15-30 minutes and is of moderate difficulty. If you have any doubts about tackling this job, go to your local bike shop and the staff there will probably be happy to talk you through it and even show you how to do it.
For a clincher type, first, remove the wheel from the bike. Completely deflate the tire. Pinch the tire all the way around the rim, to pull the tire bead away from the rim. Using a tire lever or quickstick, insert that under the bead and pry / slide the lever around the rim to get the bead off, then pull out the tube. Once the first bead is off you can easily pull the tire from the rim. Installation of the new tire is the reverse, line up the tire bead with the rim, and push the first bead on, you can usually do this with just your hands. Then insert your tube. Using your hands start pushing the second bead onto the rim and work it round until it’s completely on the rim. With new tires, they can be tight and you might not be able to do this with just your hands. If you use a tire lever, be really careful not to pinch the tube! The last step is to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure and check for any leaks.
Recommended Tires:
There are many great road bike tires on the market, but three that we recommend are:
Continental Grand Prix 5000: This one is my personal favorite! I’ve found them to provide great traction, low rolling resistance and last a reasonable amount of time.
Schwalbe Pro One: A great tire, mounts easy and provides good service life and traction.
Vittoria Corsa Control Graphene 2.0: Performance tire with Graphene compound technology, 320TPI casing provide a smooth ride.
Conclusion:
Road bike tires are an important part of your bike, affecting everything from speed and comfort to safety and handling. Understanding the different sizes, widths, and types of road bike tires can help you make informed decisions when it comes to choosing the right tires for your bike. We hope that this blog post has provided you with the information you need to know to make the best choice for your cycling needs.