| There are materially two sorts of tyre for | | | | substantially three parts , the bead, the fabric and |
| bicycles, known in many mountain bike tires | | | | the rubber. The bead is often a strong steel wire |
| reviews as 'clincher' and 'tubular'. We'll get the | | | | which makes up the tire's edge and holds it to the |
| tubular ones out of the way first because | | | | rim. Some beads use more up-to-date lightweight |
| essentially you won't come across them often. | | | | materials such as Kevlar which wipes out one of |
| Tubular tires don't have beads around the edge | | | | the advantages some riders think that the tubular |
| but are instead sewn together around an inner | | | | has. The fabric is what gives a tire its shape and |
| tube. You shouldn’t use a tubular tyre on just | | | | makes up the tire’s profile, get the two |
| any old rim, you must use a special one and the | | | | beads together. It is often made of nylon cord |
| tyre is held onto the edge using glue. Several | | | | and is put down in layers with each subsequent |
| riders suppose tubulars to have some advantage | | | | layer being placed perpendicular to the next rather |
| over clinchers, such as lighter weight, more | | | | than using a firm interweaving process. Tires go |
| comfort and better grasp but contemporary | | | | with different performance capabilities some of |
| technology has seen the clincher tyre catch up. | | | | which are defined by the tire’s TPI. This |
| The main drawbacks of tubular mtb tires are the | | | | marks the number of Threads Per Inch. A higher |
| fact that if you get a puncture you need to | | | | number indicates a tire with a thinner and more |
| replace the whole tyre meaning you need to | | | | flexible fabric. Thin walled tires tend to perform |
| carry a spare. The biggest drawback though is | | | | better by offering less rolling resistance and a less |
| the necessity to glue the tyre to the edge . The | | | | weight but they are more easily damaged . |
| glue needs to dry for several hours. The above | | | | The rubber is the part of the tire that everyone |
| also means that if you are racing and get a | | | | sees but it is merely a coating on top of the |
| puncture using tubulars then you are effectively | | | | constructed fabric. The rubber provides no |
| out of the race as you will not be able to corner | | | | structural advantage to the tire and is just there |
| at speed etc until the glue is dry. That is unless | | | | to protect the fabric from damage . Different |
| you have a support crew following you with a | | | | combinations of rubber give different |
| reserve rim and tyre ready to go. | | | | performance. A soft compound will give you |
| You will find clincher type of tyres on almost all | | | | more grasp but it will wear out quicker. A harder |
| rims nowadays and they will be the most familiar | | | | compound will last longer but it will slide around |
| to you. Instead of wrapping completely around | | | | more when pushed to the limit. |
| the interior of tube, the clincher is U-shaped when | | | | When you put all the above together you can see |
| you cut it in half. The edges of the tire are held in | | | | that there are many different combinations that |
| place against the edge of the rim by the pressure | | | | can be achieved and so it is important to choose |
| of air inside it. This makes it much more easier to | | | | a tire which is suited to the job. So, if you are a |
| repair as you don't need any glue to hold it in | | | | road racer then you have to look for particular |
| place. | | | | road racing tires that suit the rims you have |
| The clincher mountain bike tires are made up of | | | | chosen to ride on. |