I think people are going to ask you what your going to do with the tires.
So what do you plan on doing with the tires you get?
So what do you plan on doing with the tires you get?
wire beaded tires versus foldable tires
i think my title says it all. can anyone give me their opinion on which one to go with?
i'm looking at the Conti Vertical Pro 2.3
thanks
i'm looking at the Conti Vertical Pro 2.3
thanks
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
everything!
lots of climbing, tech, xc, rocks downhill, etc
lots of climbing, tech, xc, rocks downhill, etc
Folding tend to be lighter, wire tend to hold the rim a bit better. More importantly, wire is often used as a cost cutting measure, so they also indicate lower tpi casings and hard single compound rubber. For heavy duty tires this isn't the case though. The folding vert is better.
folding tires weigh less, and that's why they make 'em. Might be a little easier to install/remove, too, but it's been so long since I've used a wire bead, I can't really remember.
i have found this not to be the case in nearly 100% of tires i've dealt with. sometimes easier to install because it holds the round shape a bit better but a kevlar bead almost always holds better once installed. the bigger issue though is weight, and wire bead tires generally have low tpi and crummier compounds.scottzg said:Folding tend to be lighter, wire tend to hold the rim a bit better. More importantly, wire is often used as a cost cutting measure, so they also indicate lower tpi casings and hard single compound rubber. For heavy duty tires this isn't the case though. The folding vert is better.
Many tires come in both - kevlar (folding) bead and wire bead. Maxxis and many other tire companies claim that their kevlar and wire bead versions have the same rubber compound etc.
Kevlar has many advantages:
- lighter, so the rotational weight is reduced
- tire can be folded, so it is easier to stow, ship and transport
- easier to mount, helps a lot initially as well as with a flat during the ride
The only disadvantage is higher cost. So typically the wire bead version is less expensive.
Heavy tires such as 2-ply DH tires sometimes only come as wire bead and very light XC tires often only come as kevlar bead only. This might simply be smart product management: A heavy duty tire doesn't benefit from a kevlar bead that much as the sheer amount of rubber already makes the tire heavy and restsitant to folding. On the other hand it wouldn't be sensible to design a light tire and then ruin the outcome by putting a heavy wire bead in.
Personally I am using the wire bead versions of a tire - when I can get them - for my normal trail riding. But this is simply because I prefer durability over weight and tend to pick heavier tires anyway. However, the Conti Vert 2.3 is pretty light. Going for the folding version makes sense.
Kevlar has many advantages:
- lighter, so the rotational weight is reduced
- tire can be folded, so it is easier to stow, ship and transport
- easier to mount, helps a lot initially as well as with a flat during the ride
The only disadvantage is higher cost. So typically the wire bead version is less expensive.
Heavy tires such as 2-ply DH tires sometimes only come as wire bead and very light XC tires often only come as kevlar bead only. This might simply be smart product management: A heavy duty tire doesn't benefit from a kevlar bead that much as the sheer amount of rubber already makes the tire heavy and restsitant to folding. On the other hand it wouldn't be sensible to design a light tire and then ruin the outcome by putting a heavy wire bead in.
Personally I am using the wire bead versions of a tire - when I can get them - for my normal trail riding. But this is simply because I prefer durability over weight and tend to pick heavier tires anyway. However, the Conti Vert 2.3 is pretty light. Going for the folding version makes sense.
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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