Bicycle tires & tubes

Bicycle tires and tubes - on safe rubber through the cycling season In addition to a high-quality frame, suitable bicycle tires provide secure contact with the ground. In the past, the standard tires, which led a shadowy existence as a given component, today have the appropriate tires for every application. At the latest, when a piece of broken glass, a nail or a stone puts an end to the life of the tire, it gets into the consciousness of the cyclist. But which bicycle tire is the right one? Opinions differ on this question because the supply and the differences are huge. That the tire must fit the rim size, is obvious. The details are either printed or pressed on the flank of the old tire. The term 28 x 1.40 is an inch size. In this example, the outer diameter measures 28 inches at a tire width of 1.40 inches. More precise is the specification according to the European ETRTO standard. The pair of numbers 37-622 here means a width of 37 mm when the tire is inflated. The inner diameter is 622 millimeters. But beware: A uniform naming of the unit of measurement has not yet prevailed. The terms in inches are not unique depending on the country of production. The dimensions vary up to 5 millimeters. We advise our customers to follow the dimensions of the previous tire. Mountain bike tires are specially designed for all-terrain bikes. The profile with the rough cleats provides the necessary grip to claw into a soft ground. This facilitates a speedy progress on the mountain with a high level of directional stability. Earth and mud dissolve by the rough profile itself. The outdoor tires cause a driving noise on the asphalt due to the high rolling resistance. Mix tires try a compromise between off-road capability and comfortable road behavior. The tread, the rubber compound and a puncture protection are further criteria that a tire rubber should fulfill. If the "normal biker" mainly uses cycle paths or inner-city asphalt, the emphasis is on a robust design that achieves a high mileage. A non-slip rubber gives a city bike safe contact with the road surface even on wet asphalt. The width of the tire and the structure of the tread also play an important role. The low-profile middle tread of the touring all-rounder offers a smooth ride on a smooth surface. Textured areas on the flanks ensure good traction on uneven terrain. Bicycle tires with a reliable puncture protection put the focus on durability. The special rubber insert is impervious to sharp objects. Without affecting the driving characteristics in curves, the additional membrane prevents involuntary glitches. The turns remain stable. That requires a correct air pressure. Extensible rubber hoses withstand pressure of a few psi. On the one hand they compensate for unevenness of the ground and "swallow" vibrations. On the other hand, they contribute to a good rolling behavior and thus to driving safety. Two characteristics must be considered when purchasing a new bicycle tube: The size must match the tire and the type of valve to the rim. While the thinner Dunlop valves are predominantly found on racing bikes, city bikes and MTBs have become more popular than car valves. Adapters on air pumps compensate for the difference to the common flash valves.