Tread Design:
- Knobbies: have very aggressive tire pattern, with knobs
more closely spaced for dry sanding soils and farther apart
for mud bogs (to prevent dirt accumulation in the tread). These
treads are often made specifically for the front or the back.
Front Tire: mountain bike stearage control is the priority and
Back Tire: designed for more traction when climbing, thus ask
and following rotation direction typically printed on the tire.
Are typically heavier than normal, and offer poor traction on
wet pavement or smooth rock climbs. They offer poor cornering
control on smooth materials.
- Hybrid: tread is cut into the tire. It is less aggreassive
and more appropriate for hard pack trail riding and offers greater
pedal efficiency. This is the typical bike tire provided off
the shelf and does come in various tread patterns. As with the
knobbies it can be selectively designed for front and rear tires.
Studded
Tires: If you plan to do alot of riding on icy terrain you
may want to consider a studded tire. Nokian, as undoubtedly with
other manufacturers make a range of mountain bicycle tires with
between 100 and 300+ studs. Studs typically have a light aluminum
or steel body with carbide pins.
Pinch Flat & Punture Protection: some bike tires use
different technologies to prevent flats of various sorts. Kevlar
has been used as an interior coating to make mountain bicycle
tires more resistant to puntures from thorns etc.
Reflective
Tires: Reflective material is added to the tire. Montain bike
enthusiass that insist on night riding might find this extra visible
at night a great feature.. obviously a tire like the SweetskinZ
that embeds the reflective material right into the rubber will
retain this feature longer then similar concept tires that use
surface mounted colouring.
Pricing: anywhere from $60-150.
Mountain Bike Tire Pressure: Pinch flats can be an issue
with an under inflated bike tire. Mountain bike riders tend to
under inflate tires to increase the "contact patch"
and cushioning capabilities of the front wheel, but if overdone
can result in the tube being pinched between a hard rock and the
tire rim, thus don't overdue it.
More Informations:
Bicycle Parts and Components
Bicycle Tires
