When should a bicycle tyre be replaced?
When to replace bicycle tyres? How to tell a tyre is worn? Should front and rear tyre be swapped occassionally? What to look out for?
Tyres and tubes
Tyres and tubes
Are narrower tyres “faster” – rolling resistance
Updated: 28/03/2019. This post explains what rolling resistance is, what affects it and how it can be minimised. Contents:1. What is rolling resistance?2. What affects the rolling resistance?….2.1. Tyre’s mass (“weight”)….2.2. Tread pattern….2.3. Sidewall and rubber compound quality….2.4. Aerodynamic drag….2.5. Air pressure in the tyre….2.6. Tyre (wheel) diameter….2.7. Tyre width….2.8. Road conditions3. Conclusion? 1. What … Read more
Mounting bicycle tube and tyre
Updated: 01/09/2020. This post explains how to mount bicycle tubes and tyres onto the rim. If needed, see posts on how to how to remove wheels, how to remove tyres and tubes, and how to patch punctured tubes. 1. Inspect the rim It needs to be without sharp edges. Straight, without bends. 2. Make sure that … Read more
Patching a punctured bicycle tyre tube
Updated: 08/11/2020. This post explains how to patch a bicycle tube. If needed, read posts on how to remove wheels and how to take tyres off and tubes out. Finally, here’s a post explaining mounting tyres and tubes onto a rim. 1. Inflate (removed) tube to see where the puncture is If a puncture can’t be … Read more
Removing a tyre and tube
Updated: 01/09/2020. This post explains how to remove a bicycle tyre and tube, with step-by-step instructions. How to start: First a wheel needs to be taken off. Instructions how to do that can be found in this post:How to remove a wheel.This article explains different types of tube valves:BIcycle tyre tubes. After that follow the procedure: … Read more
To what pressure should I inflate my bicycle tyres?
Updated: 09/09/2020. This post answers a frequently asked question: “To what pressure should I inflate my bicycle tyres?” Related posts explain: Slick bicycle tyres, Rolling resistance – are narrower tyres faster and Bicycle winter tyres. Contents:1. What is the role of air pressure in tyres?2. What is the optimal tyre pressure?…2.1. What does the optimal … Read more
Slick bicycle tyres
Updated: 09/09/2020. Many cyclists have doubts when it comes to slick tyres and their grip, especially on wet pavement. This post will address slick bicycle tyres, their strengths and weaknesses. Contents: 1. Role of tread pattern on bicycle tyres …1.1. Off-road conditions …1.2. Paved roads 2. Wet pavement with puddles …2.1. A few words about car tyres … Read more
Bicycle tubes – valve and tube types explained
Updated: 27/03/2021. Most bicycles, except some tubeless models, use tubes in their tyres. Tubes are used to hold the air in, of course, while the (outer) tyre is responsible for firmness and grip with surface. This post will explain important things concerning bicycle tubes, including: dimensions (sizes), valve types (schrader, presta, dunlop…), valve lengths etc. … Read more