Discover the width of the tire you need on your bicycle
He tire width It is an important factor in choosing the wheels of our bike. Not all tires are adequate for all measures, and right influences the general performance of our machine. We could say that tire width is a very important value in the modality of MTB. But it is also true that in Road It begins to be very relevant, given the growing adoption of tubess tires.
Why do you have to look at the width of the tire
As we say, therefore, not all tire widths serve the same bike, cyclist or type of route. To identify the appropriate measure, you must take into account some aspects. Each cover has a recommended tire width, and vice versa. The ring, or tire, and the tire function as a set inside the wheel. The tire must have the appropriate base to join or carve to the wheel; The width of the tire will give the ideal shape to the rolling band. Assemble a tire width adapted to the tire size will contribute to the stability of the bicycle, to the grip, to adherence to the ground or the march comfort. Although other factors also come into play, such as pressure, type of compound, the shape of tacos, etc.The tire width influences aspects such as stiffness, stability and bicycle comfort.The covered marks, and also those of wheels, have tables or graphics with the recommended tire widths for each tire thickness. The equation is simple: tire width, darker tire width. Identify the type of wheel and its use. A large tire width will enhance qualities such as high speed stability, grip, comfort, but will also penalize in weight, speed of maneuvers or acceleration. Therefore, high width tires are fundamental in the most extreme modalities of MTB (enduro, descent, etc.). Anyway, the XC modality has also made its tires very wide (30 mm), given its versatility. The tire significantly influences the weight of the bicycle. In general, the wheel contributes around 10-15% of the total weight of the bike. Of this percentage, much belongs to the tire. It may seem insignificant, but 2 or 3 mm more width implies the use of more metal to manufacture the hoop. On average, and speaking of carbon models, for every 1 mm that increases its width a tire will weigh 7 g more.
Internal width: The standard measurement of tires
Another factor that you must take into account when valuing the width of tire is that it has two measures: the external width and the internal width. The external width is the external end measure. The internal width, on the other hand, is the end of the end of the central cleft, where the tire ring is placed. The internal width is the reference standard to measure and compare different bicycle tires. Especially, from the popularization of tubess roofs. In this way, both brands and cyclists can foresee how the tire is accommodated in the wheel and what degree of lateral support has. A larger internal width provides, with the proper roof measure, a better support to the wheel; Ublables or imbalances of rubber are avoided.
The internal width determines the degree of lateral support of the roof.
Using the internal width allows manufacturers to recommend a more precision tire width. Normally, a 2,2: 1 proportion is usually applied. That is, an internal width X must have a roof 2.2 times greater than that width. In any case, this formula is orientative. The cyclist can adapt it depending on their needs, riding wider or narrower covers.
Tire width depending on the cycling modality: MTB, road and grave
There is an internal reference width for each cycling discipline. Do you want to know what are the current standards based on the cycling modality that we practice?
Mountain Bike
XC: 30 mm. Depending on the MTB mode that is practiced, there are different tire measures. In the Cross Country it has gone from internal widths from 19 mm to 30 mm (although 25 or 27 mm are usual). Lighter materials and the improvement in the designs (oversized tables, axles, bushings and manufacturing processes) today allow XC wheels, which must be light and fast, can take advantage of the advantages already commented on a broad tire (stiffness , stability, traction).
Trail/Enduro: 30 - 35 mm. 30 mm have been property of the most radical MTB in the last decade. But both in the Trail as in Enduro The width of tire has also increased in recent times, to 2.5 "and 2.6". This requires an increase in hoop size up to 35 mm. This measure has also taken off thanks to boom of long -distance electric MTB.
Decline: 35 mm. The descent modality has also been adopting the diameter of 29 '' in its tires, which has brought the oversized of the tires. In this way, the greatest impacts and inertia of these wheels, winning in stability better.
🏔️ Everything you need to know to buy some Mountain Bike wheels
Road
In Road 23 mm are imposed, but 19 mm and 21 mm are still extended. In this modality, unlike the MTB, the internal width is a less decisive measure; Above all, if we compare it with the profile or width of the lateral wall. [IRP Posts = "4019" Name = "Tips to buy the right wheels for a road bike"] of the 13 or 15 mm of past decades, the internal width has been bent to 23 and even 25 mm. The central cleft is already like an MTB wheel of 8 or 10 years ago. The objective, extract the maximum performance of tubeless or chamber tires of 28, 30 or 32 mm.
