Choose The Right Bike Tires For Riding Comfort And Pedaling efficiency
The selection of bike tires is very straightforward for the vast majority of boomer cyclists.They can be changed easily to make a big improvement in your ride.
The primary concern is in selecting the correct size bike tires (the size is usually well marked on the original), and getting the correct tread for the surfaces that you will be riding on.
A smooth tire will work fine on the road but if you are riding on dirt or loose gravel you are going to want a heavier tread for better traction.
You won’t want a real heavy tread if you do most of your riding on the road since it will be less efficient and you will get some noise and vibration. Most of us remember snow tires on a car and this is the same principle. A medium tread will work fine for a variety of riding conditions.
Clincher tire
Unless you intend to ride competitively, you are likely to use a very common clincher tire. They use an inner tube and have a liner that covers the rim and protects the tube. The tires and tubes can be patched and the tube replaced rather easily.
Tubular Tires
If you do intend to ride competitively, or on long road trips, you may want to look into getting tubular tires which are lighter in weight and can be ridden flat in an emergency. They are, however, far from easy to change and require special rims to which the tires are glued.
Tubular clincher tires
Another option is tubular clinchers. They can be used on standard clincher rims, will replace the tire, tube, and liner, and do not have to be glued to the rim. They also require no tools to install. They offer the best of both worlds.
Airless tire
Still another option is the airless tire. This tire is made up of thousands of microscopic air cells and is flat free. They require a special tool for installation but if you want to never, ever, have a flat this tire may be for you.
I have never used this tire myself and the reviews are mixed on its performance. But, the feedback that I have gotten has been largely positive and there is a big demand for them, especially with people that commute. The flat free aspect makes them well worth consideration.
