It is good to remember that your MTB tires are the only connection points between your MTB and the terrain. Their role is to guarantee good grip for traction, but must also ensure braking, guidance, comfort, and performance of your bike.
The Standards
- Wheel size for an adult bike: 26"; MTB wheel 27.5"; 27.5+; 29+ and 29" MTB wheel
- Types of assembly depending on your MTB wheels:
- Tubetype (*Tubetype or Inner Tube in French): designates a tire designed to be mounted with an inner tube.
- Tubeless Ready: designates a tire that can be fitted without an inner tube provided that a preventative is used. Be careful not to confuse it with a Tubeless* tire.
- Tubeless: designates a tire designed to be mounted without an inner tube with or without a preventative. Be careful not to confuse it with a Tubeless Ready* tire.
- The maximum tire width allowed by your frame and/or fork
- Tire bead: flexible or rigid
The Components of a Tire
Apart from the technologies and options specific to each brand, there are several common points, namely:
The tire carcass is made of braided nylon threads. The quantity of threads on a given surface is expressed in TPI. The higher this value, the more flexible, comfortable and generally light the tire will be. The average value is between 60 and 100 TPI.
The tire beads are the two hoops embedded in the bead of the tire which allow it to be firmly placed and held on the rim. They can be rigid (steel or Kevlar) for a basic tire or a practice putting tires to the test (Trial or DH / Freeride); or flexible (most often in polyamide) for a more comfortable, efficient and lightweight tire.
The hardness of the rubber, measured in Shore A, plays an important role. The softer it is (between 40a and 50a), the more grip the tire will have. On the other hand, the harder it is (between 60a and 80a) the more rolling and robust the tire will be. Some tires combine rubber of different hardnesses on the central tread and the sidewalls to optimize behavior.
Types of Assembly
Tubeless ready : Can be mounted without an inner tube provided that you use a puncture preventative since this tire is not originally waterproof.
Tubeless : Designed to be mounted without an inner tube (even if it can accommodate one) and without preventative liquid.
The advantages of a tubeless assembly are multiple: possibility of riding at lower pressures to increase grip and comfort, more pinch punctures and reduction in the risk of puncture by perforation with the addition of preventative, significant weight gain in the case of a Tubeless Ready assembly.
The Width of the Tire and the Etrto Standard
The same tire model can be available in several widths for a given wheel diameter. To put it simply, the thinner the tire, the better the performance, to the detriment of comfort and ease of driving. The latter will conversely be the advantages of a wide tire.
ETRTO is an international measurement standard for tires, expressed in millimeters, as opposed to wheel diameter and width expressed in inches by manufacturers. This measurement is made up of two values: the first specifies the width of the tire in mm (e.g. 50 mm for 2.00" or 54 mm for 2.30") and the second is that of the mounting diameter (e.g. 559 for for 26", 584 for 27.5" and 622 for 29"). Since the dimensions in inches can vary from one manufacturer to another, this internationalized and standardized ETRTO measurement is the most reliable.
Which Tire for My Bike?
The choice of a front tire is conditioned by the fork, while that for the rear wheel is determined by the frame. This information is provided by the manufacturers of these components. Be sure to check them carefully in advance.
Which Tire for My Use?
Your mountain biking practice but also the terrain on which you will ride will determine the choice of your tire:
- Hiking: For a typical hiking or leisure mountain bike practice, a section between 1.90" and 2.20", with moderately dense and pronounced cramping for maximum versatility.
- Cross-Country: For Cross-Country outings on a semi-rigid mountain bike or full-suspension mountain bike, a Tubeless Ready assembly with a section between 2.00" and 2.30", and very dense and slightly pronounced studding for a low-pressure tire. rolling resistance and maximum performance.
- All-Mountain / Enduro: To do All-Mountain or Enduro, a tubeless assembly will be a plus, between 2.30" and 2.60", with a moderately dense and pronounced crampon for versatility and grip.
- DH / Freeride: Regarding DH/Freeride, an inner tube assembly, between 2.35" and 2.60" with a low density of crampons but strongly pronounced for maximum grip.
It is common to choose a different size for mounting on the front and rear wheel to optimize the grip, control and performance of your machine. We will always put a larger section at the front than at the rear.
Which Tire According to the Ground Conditions?
- Dry and rolling: a high density of studs with shallow edges.
- Brittle and dry to slightly damp: medium density of studs with well-pronounced edges.
- Muddy: a low density of crampons with very pronounced edges
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