A lot of bikers do not know the difference between foldable and non-foldable bike tires; they simply pull up, ride their bikes, and try to enjoy their sojourns. If you want to know more about your bike, or at least, have a better understanding of tire change, you should learn of the folding bike tires vs wire bead debate and how to choose the right one. Such knowledge will come in handy when you need it the most.
What are Folding Bike Tires?
Folding bike tires are branded for flexibility and suitability with a folding bike. Ordinary bike types can afford to be rigid and inflexible, however, a folding bike, by its very nature, needs to be bendable to a certain degree and that is reflected in its makeup.
Benefits of foldable vs non-foldable bike tires
There are three major benefits of folding bike tires:
- They are lighter than regular bike tires (aka Bead wires): This feature makes them easier to carry as a spare and it reduces the overall weight of a bike. Carrying a bead wire tire will add extra weight to the folding bike, and make it heavier.
- They are great at scaling on speed due to their weight. Riders who test both tire types comment on the fact that folding bike tires have better riding performance over regular bike tires, especially during a speedy ride.
- They are most suitable for folding bikes. These tires have unique compositions and types, they are often made of Kevlar technology over other bike tire types.
How do folding bike tires work?
In folding bike tires, the strands and threads which are ordinarily made of wires, are replaced with beaded Kevlar materials. So, instead of steel and wires, foldable bike tires are made of Kevlar fibers which in turn make the final product more flexible, they are more bendable without any damage attached, and they are also lighter to carry.
What is Bead Bike Tire?
Bead tires are also known as wired tires. They are threaded with wires on the inside. As a result of their material and makeup, this tire type is harder, sturdier, and bouncier. They are also stronger and can withstand pressure, but are less flexible. Usually, bead bike tires come with edges that fit into the rim of bikes.
Advantages of Wire Bead Bike Tires
Bead bike tires are made of dual-compound rubber, which is stronger, and less amenable to wear and tear. As such, bead bike tires have a longer lifespan than folding bike tires. On the durability test, bead tires are long-lasting and reliable.
Wire bead bikes are also way cheaper and will save you some bucks. They are also equally durable, so, they are a quick fix for people wanting to change tires on a low budget.
Functionality of Wire Bead Bike Tires
Wire bead bike tires are very reliable functionally, they are suitable for various bike types. You can use a bead bike tire on a folding bike too, and enjoy the ride. The only dissuading factor is that they will make the folding bike heavier to carry.
Folding Bike Tires vs Wire Bead: A Comparison
Check out the comparison between both bike tire types, below.
● Materials: Most folding bike tires are equipped with Kevlar materials, and threaded in that line. As a result, they are more flexible, and elastic, and build more traction while in use. Meanwhile, Wire bead tires are equipped with wire threads, less elastic, but very hard, strong, and long-lasting. Both tire types are good at carrying a high measure of weight.
● Rubber Compounds: rubber is an unavoidable part of tire creation. Both foldable and non-foldable bike tires use rubber as a base. But while folding bike tires are configured with soft flexible rubber that increases traction and balance, wire bead bike tires are made of more harder rubber compounds.
● Performance: There are not many performance differences between both bike tire types. Both foldable tires and wire bead tires are efficient on the road, balanced, and good for long-distance rides. When it is a tire that fits and is fixed properly, you may not notice the difference between tire types while on a ride.
● Durability: On the subject of durability, both tire types are equally as durable and reliable. Although folding bike tires are more flexible than non-folding ones, you will get value for your money and enjoy the bike for months, to say the least.
● Price: Lastly, is the subject of cost. Wire bead tires are much cheaper than the newer folding bike tires. They are also more readily available in shops literally in every city you look. Folding bike tires are sometimes rarer in some cities.
How to Choose the Right Tire?
There can be no right or wrong tire, but one tire type may deliver a better experience than the other. There is a combination of factors you should consider when picking a bike tire.
Firstly, your type of bike. You should understand that a folding bike will generally do better with a folding tire, and vice versa. Additionally, the terrain you will be riding could go a long way to determine if you need lighter simpler folding tires or the harder wire bead options.
FAQs
1. Can wire bead tires be used for tubeless setups?
Yes, wire bead tires can be used for tubeless setups, but they most likely won’t work well. It is generally advisable to stop trying to fix both bike tire types into each other.
2. Which type of tire, wire bead or folding, is better for off-road riding?
Wire beads are most suitable for off-road adventures. That is because they can take heavy weight and bumps, and they last longer. A folding bike tire will wear out twice faster than a wire bead on rough terrains.
Conclusion
By way of conclusion, when comparing folding bike tires vs wire bead tires, there is no definite answer, both of the two tires can work effectively well. Check out where you would be riding, when, and how, and use that information to pick which bike tire is better.
