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What To Look For
The first issue for most mountain bikes are the tire knobs. If your bike is going into sandy, muddy or marshy places, you need big knots and scoop-shaped treads. But these increase resistance packed surfaces and roads, and for that kind of biking, you want small knobs. The other major split is between tubular and clincher tires. The latter is lighter but more expensive and meant for racers. Clinchers are the standard format and are heavier and cheaper to fix or replace.
Common Pitfalls
Another way to get more grip on loose ground is to use wider tires. Wider tires also contribute more resistance but not as much as big knobs do. The best way to create a flexible tire is to keep width and knobs, and seek a blend between them. This is often overlooked, sometimes even by mountain bikers who should know better.
Where To Buy
This is a product that you can buy online or in the shop. While you probably won't really get a feel for how much grip a mountain bike tire has unless your run your thumb over the treads (or something similar), sometimes this is a much smaller issue than getting a good bargain.
Cost
Depending on the size, make and model, a mountain bike tire in 2009 went for $25 to $95. Steep discounts can greatly affect the pricing of such tires.
Comparison Shopping
Anyone who makes mountain bike tires is going to have a tire that suits your size and track surface needs. But Hutchinson, Maxxis, Bontrager, and Kenda get high marks among reviewers for their products.
Article Written By Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
