How To

How to Buy a Bike Tire

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(7 Ratings)

Buying new tires is a great opportunity to either radically change or improve the way your bike feels and handles.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Kevlar-belted Tires
  • Bike Tire Inner Tubes
  • Bike Tire Repair Kit
  • Bike Tires (mountain Or Road)
  • Folding Tires
  1. Step 1

    Decide what you like and dislike about your old tires. Do they get too many flats? Do they work well off road and on?

  2. Step 2

    Understand that some tire problems may have been caused by not riding with the right tire pressure. See Related eHow "Maintain a Bike's Tire Pressure for Good Performance."

  3. Step 3

    Look on the sidewall for the exact dimensions of your old tire. You'll need this information when you go to the bike shop, but keep in mind that you have the option of going to a wider or thinner tire.

  4. Step 4

    Consider a front-specific or rear-specific tire for a mountain bike if you ride off road. Ask your local shop what they recommend - a tire that works well in one region's terrain may not work well in another.

  5. Step 5

    Consider a slick tire or a tire with an inverted tread for a mountain bike if you rarely go off road. These tires won't buzz on the pavement and will improve your cycling efficiency dramatically.

  6. Step 6

    Consider a wider tire for your road bike if you've been getting lots of flats or if your bike is harsh-riding. Many road bikes are sold with 700-by-20 or 700-by-23 tires, but 700-by-25 or 700-by-28 tires offer better comfort, better durability and fewer flats.

  7. Step 7

    Consider kevlar-belted tires if you get lots of flats. You might also consider special tubes. Ask your local shop what they recommend.

  8. Step 8

    Consider folding tires if you want to save weight. Realize that these tires often cost twice as much as the nonfolding equivalent.

Tips & Warnings
  • Make sure your old tubes will work with your new tires. You can run a wide tube in a narrow tire, but you can't run a narrow tube in a wide tire.
  • Many older road bikes have 27-inch tires. This will limit your options, but most shops will stock a few tires in this size.
  • Some old Schwinn cruisers have a nonstandard 26-inch tire; to purchase one, you must go to a Schwinn shop.

Comments  

Dotbike said

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on 1/10/2007 As well as the above correct inflation will prevent flats. If tyres are cheap they are cheap for one of two reasons;
a. They are obsolete and being sold off.
b. They are rubbish.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 9/2/2006 Be aware that if you increase the size of the tire (ie: going from 700x23 to 700x30) too much, it might not fit into your frame, especially if you have fenders.

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eHow Article: How to Buy a Bike Tire

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