Everything You Need To Know About Mountain Bike Tyres

Summary

This script delves into the intricacies of mountain bike tires, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right tire for various riding conditions. It covers the basics of tire construction, including tread knobs, carcass, and bead, and explores how different tread patterns and rubber compounds impact performance. The discussion highlights the balance between grip and rolling speed, and the need for compromise in tire design. It also touches on the evolution of tire sizing and the benefits of tubless tires and tire inserts. Ultimately, the script guides viewers on choosing the perfect tire for their specific riding style and trail conditions, suggesting it as a cost-effective way to enhance their biking experience.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Tires are technologically complex and not just black, round, and knobbly; they require careful selection based on their tech features.
• 🌐 Tires are the only contact point between the bike and the terrain, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right tire for optimal performance.
• 🌀 The tire's tread knobs, carcass, and bead are the main components that contribute to its performance and durability.
• 🔍 Tread patterns and lug sizes significantly affect how a tire rides, with different patterns suited for various riding conditions like cross-country or downhill.
• ⚖️ There's a balance to be struck between tire grip and rolling resistance, often requiring compromises for optimal performance.
• 🔬 Tire designers use various techniques and materials, including rubber compounds and multi-compound strategies, to achieve desired tire characteristics.
• 📏 Tire sizing is crucial and involves not just width but also volume and profile, which can affect how a tire performs on different terrains.
• 🧵 The carcass, made of layered fabric, plays a vital role in the tire's ride characteristics, with TPI (threads per inch) being a measure of the fabric's fineness.
• 🛡️ Tire inserts can add strength and puncture resistance, or provide a cushioning effect in the event of impacts, enhancing the tire's performance and protection.
• 💡 The perfect tire is highly dependent on the rider's intended use, style, and specific bike setup, making personalized selection essential for the best experience.
• 🛍️ Choosing the right tire can be one of the fastest and most cost-effective upgrades for a bike, significantly enhancing the riding experience.

Q & A

What is the primary function of tire tread knobs or lugs?

Tire tread knobs or lugs are the parts that stick up and out of the tire. They provide grip and traction, especially during braking, acceleration, and when turning or leaning the bike over.

What is the role of the carcass in a tire?

The carcass is the flexible material underneath the rubber coating of a tire. It is made of fabric layers and provides the structural integrity and support for the tire.

Why is the bead of a tire important?

The bead is the part of the tire that holds it onto the rim. It is crucial for ensuring that the tire stays in place and does not fall off during use.

How does the rubber compound in a tire affect its performance?

The rubber compound in a tire, which includes various chemicals, determines its grip on different surfaces. A softer compound can provide more traction on slippery surfaces but may wear out quickly, while a harder compound lasts longer but might not grip as well on certain terrains.

What is the significance of tire sizing and how does it affect a bike's performance?

Tire sizing, including width and volume, affects how a tire performs on a bike. Wider tires with more volume can offer better bump absorption and grip but may be heavier and slower rolling, while narrower tires can be lighter and roll faster but may offer less grip and comfort.

What is the purpose of the cuts and extra details on the tread lugs?

The cuts and extra details on the tread lugs, known as sipes, allow the lug to move and flex, helping the tire find more grip on various surfaces.

What is the role of TPI (Threads Per Inch) in tire construction?

TPI refers to the density of threads in the fabric layers of the tire's carcass. Higher TPI indicates finer threads, which were once thought to make better tires, but modern tires often use lower TPI for fewer layers and better suppleness.

What is the difference between a tubless and a clincher tire?

A tubless tire does not require an inner tube and can be sealed with a sealant that plugs small holes. A clincher tire, also known as a traditional tire, uses an inner tube for air retention.

What are tire inserts and how do they enhance tire performance?

Tire inserts are additional materials, such as fabric or plastic, that can be placed inside a tire to increase sidewall strength and resistance to cuts. Some inserts also serve as a barrier between the rim and the ground to absorb impacts and prevent flats.

How can the tread pattern of a tire influence its rolling speed and grip?

A tread pattern with a continuous center section typically rolls faster but may have less grip, especially in braking. On the other hand, a tire with large tread lugs and knobs can provide more grip during braking and turning but may not roll as quickly.

Why is it important to choose the right tire for the type of riding you do?

Choosing the right tire is crucial for optimal performance and safety. The right tire can provide better grip, roll faster, and be more suitable for specific terrains and conditions, enhancing the riding experience and reducing the risk of punctures or tire damage.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Tire Technology Overview

This paragraph delves into the intricacies of tire construction and technology. It explains the basic components of a tire, including the tread knobs or lugs, the carcass made of fabric and rubber coating, and the bead. The importance of tire selection is emphasized, as it is the only contact point with the terrain. The variety in tire design is highlighted, with options ranging from flat bar gravel to cross-country racing and downhill biking. The paragraph also touches on the performance benefits of lighter and faster-rolling tires, and the need for optimization based on trail conditions and e-bike compatibility.

05:00

🏗️ Tire Design Compromises and Features

The second paragraph discusses the challenges faced by tire designers in balancing grip, rolling resistance, and durability. It explains how different forces like braking and acceleration affect tire design. The paragraph introduces the concept of multicompound tires, which use varying rubber compounds for different sections of the tire to enhance performance. It also covers the use of materials like graphene to improve tire longevity. The importance of tread patterns and lug design is explored, including how they affect grip and performance in various conditions.

10:01

📏 Tire Sizing and Carcass Construction

This paragraph focuses on the complexities of tire sizing, including the European Tire and Rim Technical Organization (ETRO) standards. It explains how tire width affects volume and the tire's profile, which in turn influences ride characteristics. The concept of TPI (threads per inch) is introduced, discussing how the density of threads in the fabric layers affects tire performance. The paragraph also covers the importance of the carcass, the layers of fabric beneath the rubber, and how different TPI values can impact the tire's suppleness and air retention.

15:02

🚴‍♂️ Tailoring Tires to Riding Style and Conditions

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of selecting the right tires based on individual riding styles and conditions. It provides examples of different types of tires suitable for cross-country and enduro riding, highlighting their specific features like tread patterns, compound materials, and carcass strength. The paragraph also discusses the benefits of tire inserts for added protection against cuts and the role of the bead in securing the tire to the rim. It concludes by encouraging riders to research and choose tires that best match their riding needs for an enhanced biking experience.

Keywords

💡Tire Tech

Tire Tech refers to the various technologies and designs incorporated into tires to enhance performance, durability, and safety. In the video, it is emphasized that tires are not just black and round but are filled with technical features that are crucial for optimal performance in different riding conditions. Examples include tread patterns, rubber compounds, and carcass construction.

💡Tread Knobs or Lugs

Tread knobs or lugs are the protruding parts of a tire that provide traction and grip. They are essential for how a tire interacts with the terrain. The video explains that these knobs have different roles, such as leading edges for smooth pedaling and working edges for grip during turns and braking.

💡Carcass

The carcass of a tire is the flexible material that forms the body of the tire, usually made of fabric coated with rubber. It is crucial for the tire's overall structure and performance. The script mentions that the carcass's composition and layering can significantly affect the tire's characteristics.

💡Bead

The bead is the part of the tire that secures it to the rim. It is a critical component for ensuring the tire stays in place while in use. The video script touches on the importance of the bead in terms of tire fit and safety.

💡Rubber Compound

Rubber compound refers to the specific mixture of rubber and chemicals used in tire manufacturing. Different compounds can affect the tire's grip, wear resistance, and performance on various surfaces. The script explains how soft and hard compounds can have different impacts on traction and durability.

💡Multicompound Tires

Multicompound tires are designed with different rubber compounds in various parts of the tire to optimize performance. For instance, a harder center for stability and softer side lugs for grip in turns. The video script highlights this as an example of how tire technology can be tailored for specific riding needs.

💡Tread Pattern

Tread pattern refers to the arrangement and design of the tread knobs on a tire. It influences how a tire rolls, grips, and performs under different conditions. The video script discusses how different tread patterns can cater to various riding styles and terrains, such as cross-country or downhill biking.

💡Sizing

Sizing in the context of tires refers to the dimensions, such as width and diameter, which are crucial for fitment and performance. The video script explains the importance of correct tire sizing for optimal performance and compatibility with bike rims.

💡Carcass Layers

Carcass layers are the fabric layers within a tire that provide strength and support. The arrangement and count of these layers, referred to as TPI (threads per inch), affect the tire's suppleness and puncture resistance. The script mentions how modern tire design has evolved regarding TPI and layering.

💡Tubless

Tubless tires are designed to be used without an inner tube, often with the help of sealant to seal small holes. The video script explains that tubless tires can offer a better ride feel and potentially fewer punctures, but require correct bead design and compatibility with rims.

💡Tire Inserts

Tire inserts are additional components that can be placed inside a tire to enhance performance or protection. The video script discusses two types: one for strength against cuts and another that acts as a bumper to protect the rim from impacts, both contributing to a safer and more comfortable ride.

Highlights

Tires have a lot of technology involved, contrary to the common perception of them being just black, round, and knobbly.

Tires are the only contact point with the terrain, making them crucial for performance and safety.

The basic components of a tire include tread knobs, carcass, and bead, each with specific functions.

Variations in tread pattern, rubber compound, and carcass construction can significantly affect tire performance.

Different mountain biking disciplines require different tire characteristics, from flat bar gravel to aggressive downhill.

Lighter and faster-rolling tires can enhance bike performance and make cycling more enjoyable.

Finding the right tire prevents punctures, rim damage, and unnecessary tire wear, saving money in the long run.

Tire designers must balance various forces like braking, acceleration, and side loads for optimal tire performance.

Compromises in tire design often involve trade-offs between traction, rolling resistance, and durability.

Tread lugs have multiple roles, including providing grip during turns and on off-camber sections.

Rubber compounds in tires can vary from super soft for grip to hard for longevity, affecting performance on different terrains.

Multicompound tires offer a combination of different rubber compounds for enhanced performance in various conditions.

Tread patterns and lug sizes are crucial for grip, braking, and rolling resistance, with various designs for different terrains.

Cypes, a technique for modifying tread lugs for better grip, originated from a need for traction in slippery conditions.

Tire sizing involves width and volume, which affects how a tire rolls and its interaction with the rim.

The carcass, made of layered fabric, influences the tire's ride characteristics and strength.

TPI, or threads per inch, refers to the fineness of the threads in the tire's fabric and affects its suppleness.

Tubless tires require a compatible rim and may need sealant to ensure a secure fit and prevent punctures.

Tire inserts can enhance strength, protect against cuts, or provide a barrier between the rim and impacts.

Choosing the right tire for your riding style and terrain can greatly improve your cycling experience.

Transcripts

tires are tires aren't they they're just

black round a little bit knobbly well I

mean no no they're not there's loads of

tech that goes into them and getting

nerdy about them is a really good thing

because tires are your only contact

Point well hopefully your only contact

point so we're going to walk you through

what you need to look for in all the

Tire

Tech okay before we go too deep we're

just going to run through the basics of

a tire so I guess the main thing is

we've got tread knobs or lugs these are

the bits that stick up and out of the

tire they're sitting on a carcass so

that's the flexible material it's made

of a fabric underneath the rubber

coating and then the final bit of the

puzzle is the bead okay there's not much

variation on a bead but in terms of

casing and in terms of tread pattern and

in terms of rubber compend there's

almost Limitless options and they can

help you fine-tune the perfect Tire it

can be a bit of a bamboozling option but

we're going to run through all the tech

although many tires look similar in

terms of their black round and have

sticky knobs the sole differences in the

tread pattern and tread shaping and the

size of those lugs makes a really big

difference to how the tire rides and

mountain biking is really broad we've

got almost flat bar gravel stuff with

cross country and we've got cross

country racing and then we've got the

other side where we're doing huge Hooks

and amazing downhills so we've got this

really broad spectrum and because bikes

even ebikes are human powerered if we

can make the tire a little bit lighter

and if we can make the tire roll a

little bit quicker it means that we can

get more performance and we can have a

more fun day out because we're going to

be less tax by dragging around really

big rubber so optimizing your tires for

the trails and conditions that you're

going to ride is awesome we're going to

dive in to work out which tires will

suit you

[Music]

best why do I care so much about you

finding the perfect Tire well running

the wrong Tire whether it's a

CrossCountry Tire you doing sort of

Burly skills Loops or Burly downhill

well you'll puncture your tire you could

lose lose that tire and wreck it you

could ruin a rim conversely if you're

doing bigger days out and you're hunting

The Horizon and you're dragging around a

really big Burly tire that's got lots of

grip but it's too much Tire well it's

just going to be a drag so finding the

right tire can be better for you better

for your bike and if you're not trashing

tires better for your wallet too

[Music]

Tire designers have got lots of factors

to manage and design around and well

lots of tools to do it with but it's

really tricky because we've got lots of

forces going through the tire where

we've got braking we've got acceleration

we've got side loads which we'll dive

into in more depth later but effectively

to get all of those we want a big chunky

Tire now conversely if we want a tire

that's really fast rolling well we kind

of don't want all of that grip now to

make a tire that's really grippy and

bites well and can turn well oh you know

what it's not that difficult and

conversy to make a tire that rolls

really quickly and is really lightweight

also it's not that difficult now trying

to pair those two things together and

making a really grippy and fast rolling

Tire now that's where it gets really

challenging so like in life sometimes

with tires we need to make compromises

and those compromises might be traction

and they might be rolling

resistance we've already covered Dum

terms and now we're going to dive really

deep and break them all down so you

don't have to have a tech brain down

knobs tread lugs I mean they're fairly

obvious feature of a tire but have you

ever wonder what they do well they've

got lots of different jobs and leading

edges so rotation is key in TI Tech

because when it's ramped this side

that's going to help smooth out the

pedaling stroke this back Edge is where

the braking force is so that's really

important and these edges here are the

working edges this is the bit that's

going to bite in and provide the G

these are the side knobs so when you

lean the bike over in a turn or if

you're scrabbling for grip on an off

camber that's where the traction is

going to come from the rubber okay it's

not just natural rubber it's actually a

rubber compound with lots of other

chemicals in there some of the rubber

compounds that tires use will be super

soft and these can be really really

grippy and they help conform the tire

and the the tread lug to the terrain so

if you're riding on really hard but

slippy Rock then a soft compound can

bite in and get more traction and grip

conversely if these tread lugs are

really tall and soft compound well they

can be wobbly and actually on hard

surfaces they can squirm also if it's a

softer compound in general they're going

to wear really quickly which can get

expensive so other side of the fence

with a really hard compound okay well

the hard compound is going to last a lot

longer it might not grip as much on some

terrain so if it's hard and Rocky you

might struggle for these tread lugs to

move around and get that grip but but if

it's soft and if it's lomy they can

Spike through now quite a few brands do

multicompound tires and what that means

is you're going to have different rubber

compounds across the tire often you'll

get a harder Tire section in the in the

center so that provides more stability

and more bite and then you'll get much

softer side lugs so when you're on those

off camber sections and you're trying to

fight for grip or you loading the tire

in a turn you'll have lots of

deformation of the tire tread lug to get

more grip it's horses for courses in

terms of whether one is better than the

other but there's lots of options out

there some of the brands are using

graphine in their tires to Aid all the

properties so you can almost get a

softer tire but it lasts a lot longer

but there's lots to nerd out about but

that's just a general theme tread

patters there's a lot to talk about with

tread patters and there's some

generalizations that we can skim over

and there's a lot of crossover with sort

of like lug height and knob height and

tread pans but they are two different

things so so with a tread pan if you've

got a center section that's almost

continuous it's most likely going to

roll really quickly it might struggle

for a inline braking it might struggle a

little bit for grip but often these

Treads have got lots of biting edges cu

the the lug size is smaller so they'll

grip really well in the right conditions

and by right conditions I mean where

it's drier and that sort of mud or lone

can get released cuz often tightly

packed tires can pack up really quickly

conversely if you've got a tire with

really big tread lugs and big knobs it

doesn't offer necessarily more grip it

doesn't offer necessarily any more

puncture protection because these lugs

are any bigger but what it can do is

provide lots of grip under braking lots

of grip in turns because these tread

lugs again in the right conditions can

bite into the loone and bite into those

turns so study the tires look at what

they're doing some tires like this one

I've got a general sort of Center

section and then you've got a lean out

to the to the shoulder so sometimes

there can be a little bit of a

transition if you're midc corner with

that Gap in Treads some tires will have

a nice transition lug just in here to

help as you lean the bike over if you're

not super confident just to put it onto

the shoulder and rail it around they'll

have this extra knob which will help you

just find the shoulder and I guess the

other key thing was all these tread

patterns you can really feel the

difference and you get really good

feedback on the trail from what these

knobs and lugs are doing and we've got

more on that in a little bit now we're

going to going to dive into some more

real deep nerdy stuff we're going to

talk about cypes I often mispronounce it

but it's a bloke's name John cyp I kid

you not he developed it in well The

Story Goes either in a slaughter house

or he worked in somewhere where it was

cold and slippy and he invented this

really clever technique of modifying a

tread lug it was on his shoes

unfortunately the tires at the time were

solid tires so his idea was yeah before

its time anyway for us it's a really

useful tool well I say us for the tire

designers what is it you ask okay well

on the tread log you may have noticed

all these little cuts and extra little

details they're not just there for

fashion no they do stuff and what they

do is they allow that tread lug to

actually move and find more grip because

they're all about those working edges

and by putting a small cut in it even if

it's very small just maybe half a mil or

or a mil deep it opens up that tread lug

to find more grip and flex in a certain

way so you might see race mechanics

actually modifying tires at races where

they're cutting into the tire either

like a cross cut or into the site that's

on a tire to open up even more I mean

it's not necessarily recommended because

you do risk the risk punctures but you

can get a lot more grip okay sizing I

mean this one is a huge topic there's

literally a European committee that

helps with Tire sizing it's called the

etto but we're not going to go that

nerdy essentially when we talk about

Tire sizing we talk about width which

it's useful but it's not the only thing

going on because as tires are well I

think it's toroidal but effectively it's

a donut as you increase the width it

effectively increases the volume too so

they get taller as well but not

necessarily uniform so sometimes that

profile can change and you can have a

square profile or a rounder profile and

yeah those tires are going to ride

really differently so you'll sit on your

tire you'll have a measurement it will

fit in your bike make sure you check the

other thing to be just mindful of is

that certain rims work with certain

sizes of tires so if you're putting on a

really really large Tire like a a 2.8

might not work on a really narrow rim

and obviously the opposite also works so

if you've got a relatively narrow Tire

maybe like a 2.1 or even a 2 in putting

that on a really wide rim isn't

necessarily a good thing carcass okay

you'll hear this term banded around

what's it mean what's it mean well it's

all about the layers of fabric that are

underneath the rubber I know fabric who

would have thought well it's really

important and the order in which these

are laid up and the layering and how

many layers there are and if there's any

inserts we'll go into those later make a

really big difference to the ride

characteristics of the tire as the

carcass is made of fabric you'll often

hear the term TPI which is threads per

inch and that's a reference of how fine

a thread is used in that the fabric

Plies that make up the tire now there

was this older logic that said that if

you had ultra fine almost Egyptian

cotton fine 290 TPI it made a better

Tire some of that logic's not quite

right and actually more and more more

modern tires including XC ones are using

bigger burlier threads in that fabric

even 60tpi which was once dubbed to sort

of not very good and and low rate has

now been re realized as well actually

quite good because you don't need as

many layers and it's the air that holds

the tire up and creates it supplely not

how many tpri you've got we've talked

about Treads we've talked about carcass

now probably the most important thing on

your tire well at least to hold on to

the rim is the bead this is simply the

interface between the carcass and your

Rim tubless well early iterations of

tubless well they didn't need any

tubless sealant so you just popped it on

the rim bit of a struggle and you

inflated it and off you went and it was

great but it was all a dedicated system

and it was all designed to work together

now it's slightly grer and we've got

tubless ready rims we've got tubless

ready tires we've got tlr this or tlr

that there's lots of different terms now

in general check with the manufacturers

of both the tire and the rim if they are

compatible and in most cases you'll need

to run sealant which is a good thing

because the sealant will plug loads of

holes that you don't even notice are

there but you do need to make sure that

the bead is correct so the tire doesn't

fall off Tire inserts this covers well

it now covers two things it used to

cover just either additional Fabric or

maybe a plastic insert in the sidewall

those plastic and fabric inserts on the

sidewalls were there to boost strength

and resistance to cuts and slashes on

sidewalls the other inserts that we're

talking about are green foamy things

they're not always green but effectively

they're an insert that creates a barrier

or a bottom at bumper between your rim

and the hard object that you've just hit

at warp speed they can be really good

we've done quite a few videos on them so

look for the link

[Music]

here if you've got a lightweight full

suspension or a hard tail that you're

looking to do Horizon hunting maybe a

bit of marathon racing or flat bar

gravel stuff this is a really good

example of a good cross Country Tire

okay this one is a 2.1 but you can get

it in a 235 as well so it's pretty high

volume for a cross country Tire it's

also got this near continuous Center

section of tread and that means that on

harder surfaces it will roll really well

now for the kind of loose bits of Trail

DET tritis over hard pack it's got all

these gripping edges so it should offer

for the size of the tire quite a lot of

grip for climbing and descending so if

you're looking to hunt that Horizon and

go far and fast a lightweight Tire like

this is a great option Horizon hunting

not your bag big into the uro the Nar

the hook well something like this is a

really good example of what to look for

so what have we got well we've clearly

got much bigger tread lugs we've got a

much bigger profile of Tire as well so

this one is a 2.4 but you can get tires

into 2.6 as well and that's good because

you've got more volume and more bump

absorption you might be able to run them

at lower pressure this one's got a

reinforced carcass as well so that will

help support you at those lower

pressures and guard against rock slashes

or or any cuts and nicks in terms of the

tread compound we've got these really

big lugs that bite in and provide lots

of grip so if you're looking for an

Enduro Tire or sort of a big day out

Tire or you're going to go to a bike

park a bigger gnarlier tire like this is

a great option so what makes the perfect

Tire well all depends on where you're

riding and what style of riding you're

doing and how you ride so good example

is with this trail bike this is a neuron

from Canyon and it's one of their trail

bikes so we've got 144 and we've got 130

travel on the the back end so it's

fairly light and it kind of goes

everywhere but for me in my riding style

I wanted a fair bit of grip up front so

I've gone with a fairly chunky Trail

tire so in between an injo tire and a

classic Cross Country Tire we've got the

bigger lugs but a slightly lighter

casing and on the back again I've gone

for a trail tire so the tread pattern is

quite low profile so we should make it

quick and we've got lots of ramped edges

so it should roll quickly but there's

enough shoulder and there's enough

carcass strength in there that I

shouldn't get a flat on the first big

Huck that I do obviously it's a trail

bike so I'm not going to be going wild

one extra bonus point to mention is that

with a tire up front with lots of grip

that can be really great because you

actually have more weight on the back so

when you're pedaling and rolling having

a smoother treaded tire on the back can

give you the impression of smoother

rolling all the way through even when on

the downhills you've got a chunky Tire

up front with more grip so there's a lot

to talk about with tires and we only

skim the surfice you can get really

nerdy about tires I'm going to say

boring to be fair because there's just

so much right cut to the chase tailoring

your tires to where you ride and what

bike you're riding can make an awesome

difference to your bike it's probably

the fastest cheapest upgrade that you

can make to your bike so do some maths

do some learning do some science find

out which tires going to suit your

riding and get out and ride with the

best tires for your ride