| Mountain bike tires as they relate to other kinds of | | | | wheel combination. |
| bike tires tend to highlight the contrasts between the | | | | On road bikes, tires come in two different types: the |
| two styles of bike, both of which are very popular | | | | classic clincher (an inner tube and a tire that fastens |
| (the mountain bike and the road bike). A road bike | | | | onto a rim) and the more exotic tubular tire. Tubular |
| tire sits on the kind of bike being ridden in the | | | | is lighter, can be inflated to much greater pressures |
| world-famous Tour de France bicycle race. The tire is | | | | (up to 180 psi) and is actually glued onto a bicycle |
| itself very slim and lightweight and the bikes can | | | | wheel. This glue is industrial strength and really holds a |
| weigh well under 15 pounds among the most | | | | tire onto a wheel extremely well. |
| expensive models. | | | | Professional road cyclists all normally prefer to race |
| Mountain bike tires, on the other hand, can weigh | | | | on tubular tires due to their light weight and high |
| over 30 pounds (though the really nice ones run | | | | pressures, though recent improvements in clincher |
| between 22 and 26 pounds) and are engineered to | | | | tires (which just about every professional road cyclist |
| stand up to a real beating out on mountain trails that | | | | trains on) has resulted in a tire that is extremely |
| might even give mountain goats or bighorn sheep | | | | well-suited to racing. The downside to a clincher is |
| cause to worry before going up or down. Such a | | | | that it could take a few minutes longer to change a |
| bike might have front suspension and even rear | | | | flat than on a tubular. |
| suspension in order to take on those kinds of trails. | | | | In all cases -- whether mountain bike or road bike tire |
| That tires are also specifically made for much more | | | | -- keeping them inflated to their recommended |
| rugged environments. They are also an integral part | | | | pressures is extremely important. Not only are the |
| of the mountain bike and the bike wheel and are built | | | | tires more efficient when they are inflated properly |
| to be much sturdier and flat-resistant than would | | | | but they are also safer. Additionally, keep in mind that |
| ever be seen in a typical road bike tire and are also | | | | clincher tires are less susceptible to pinch flats when |
| heavier, thicker and wider and their outer treads look | | | | they are inflated to the correct pressures. |
| like they could blend in while on a monster truck. | | | | Remember, also, that mountain bike tires are far |
| Usually, even the best mountain bikes make use of | | | | sturdier overall than road bike tires. An added benefit |
| what are called "clincher" tires. These tires come with | | | | is that while a road bike cannot be ridden with any |
| a separate inner tube, and the tire and its tube | | | | surety on mountain trails or in an off-road |
| fastens onto the bike wheel to create a single unit. | | | | environment it is generally the case that a mountain |
| The inner tube is also inflated to a certain pressure | | | | bike can be ridden over smooth pavement and most |
| (and always make sure it is inflated properly to | | | | any road. This is one reason why the mountain bike |
| correct pressures). A mountain bike tire and wheel | | | | is sold in greater numbers than the road bike these |
| combination tends to be a bit heavier than a road | | | | days. |