TYRED OUT: PART ONE

MBUK'S COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO TYRES

As your contact point with the ground, tyres are crucial to the performance of any bike. They affect how much grip you can rely on in turns, over rocks and roots, and in loose terrain, and also how much pedalling and braking traction you have. They're the first line of defence against punctures, and can have a major impact on ride feel and comfort. So, it's important to take more into consideration than just price and weight when choosing which ones to buy. Selecting the right tyre for your needs can seem like a minefield, full of jargon, taglines, obscure acronyms and details. Truth be told, even the most experienced riders can still become lost in the brand-specific naming and technical specifications of any range of tyres. But fear not - it isn't always as complicated as it may seem, and we're here to help.

THE BASICS

The heart of any tyre is the casing, or carcass. This is the inner layer of the tyre, which dictates its width, diameter and air volume, and provides the base for the tread - the pattern of external knobs that provides grip and traction, often available in a choice of different rubber mixes, or compounds - and the sidewalls. The casing also incorporates the bead - the structural part, made from wire or kevlar, that sits against the wheel's rim and 'locks' the tyre into it for a stable connection.

SIZE MATTERS