Folding Bike Tires Vs Wire Bead

Wire beads not so much.

Folding bike tires vs wire bead.

Generally folding bead tires are likely to cost somewhere between 6 to 30 more than wire bead tires. Wire bead tires are heavier than folding ones and they are also substantially harder to re mount should you need to take one off to change a flat. Many cyclists will find that the premium features of folding tires are commensurate to their high cost. Wire beads formed by a thin steel wire are old school.

Most of the time it s wire bead. Wire bead road bike tires. I could be wrong about this but i m assuming a wire bead tire is also stiffer as a result of the different construction meaning slightly higher rolling resistance and slightly less comfort vibration damping. Folding bike tires are easier to change and can be changed without the aid of tire levers.

Now a bead isn t like what you d see on a necklace or bracelet at least in biking. If you have been shopping for new bicycle tires you have likely encountered tires of the folding variety which generally sell for 6 to 30 dollars more per tire than regular tires as of late 2013. The bead is where the tire contacts the rim. Folding bike tires are more expensive than wire bead tires.

Speaking of traditional bike tires have you ever considered what they re made of. Wire bead tires require tire levers to change.