All about Mountain bike Tires
Mountain Bike tires are challenged by many factors. This is due to the multi- environmental demand that is put on them. The environmental conditions are wide ranging, because mountain bikes can go anywhere and riding conditions can change without a moment's notice.
Tire manufacturers attack this problem with two general responses. A specialized tire is one approach. The manufacturer will develop and sell tires to meet specific riding conditions. Some of the various conditions are, Downhill, wet, mud, hard pack, and street. The various conditions are met by altering the design and construction of the tire. Before we discuss the design and construction of a tire we need to review some basic features of all tires and some common terminology. The top of the tire, the part that contacts the surface has tread on it that wraps around to the edges of the sidewalls. The tread design varies greatly; it can range from smooth to knobby and be comprised of various types of rubber to make the surface soft or hard. This top or tread is attached to the surface of the tire casing in a process called vulcanization. In the process of vulcanization the tread design and casing become one, as the base of the tread is melted in to the casing. The tread design meets the sidewalls. Tread design is sometimes unidirectional, which means it is designed to roll only in one direction and still perform as advertised. The correct rolling is indicated by arrows printed on the sidewall, but can also be identified by the colorful label printed on the sidewall. This is referred to as the dress side of the tire and always mounts facing the right side of the bike. The right side of the bike is also referred to as the dress side. When bike manufactures have photo shoots done, this is the side that is always favored. The sidewall is really the casing covered in rubber. The sidewall ends with a bead. The bead is imbedded in the casing and may be made with metal or Kevlar. The bead keeps the tire on the rim, keeps the inner tube on the inside and in tubeless tires also makes an airtight seal. The casing of the tire is a weave of various materials. The materials used and the pattern of the weave effect how the sidewalls behave under riding conditions. Riders will sometimes describe the tire as riding hard or soft. The amount of air pressure, or PSI is not what the rider is referring too. The PSI can be set the same on two different tires and the feel and performance can be very different.
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