Bicycle Tires

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Choosing Bicycle Tires on eBay

It's important to understand the impact of bicycle tires on the overall user experience when you ride a bicycle. Before selecting inexpensive bicycle tires on eBay, here are some important points to consider.

Sizes of bicycle tires

The size of the bicycle tires mainly depends on the type of bike and its use. See the manufacturer site for details. The following are three major types and their size:

  • Mountain bike tires: Most mountain bike tires consist of a numbered pair, which indicate the diameter and width of the tire. A typical mountain bike has a tire configuration of 27.5 x 2, suggesting a diameter of 27.5 inches and a width of about 2 inches. For rough terrain, a larger width is often used.
  • Standard road and racing tires: A standard bicycle may also use a numbered pair such as 700 x 23 where the diameter and the width are indicated in millimeters. If you want to buy a racing bike used for semi-professional or professional circuit, the width is slightly increased to provide stability and control.
  • 29rs and BMX tires: 29rs are a variation of mountain bike tires that roll over easily on the most technical sections, allowing them to withstand mud and sand. They are usually marked in millimeters instead of inches. Similarly, BMX tires are also in high demand, but they are the shortest of tires, measuring about 20 inches in diameter.
Why are tire treads important?

When buying new and used bicycle tires, you should carefully select the type of tread to achieve a balance between speed and grip. Most tires have a slick bike tread pattern that is generally not very visible. For off-road applications that require a firm grip on corners, try the semi-slick bike tires that have a visible tread pattern on both sides.

If you will be riding on potholes and rusty roads, then inverted tread tires are practical. These are distinguished by visible patterns all over the tire. You can also find knobby treads that might be ideal for different trial situations. These tires are similar to car tires with multiple grip patterns.

Presta and Schrader valves

Cyclists often damage their tires by replacing their original valves with another valve of a different dimension. Most inexpensive and regular bikes are equipped with Schrader valves that are just like car valves. In contrast, expensive off-road and sports bikes use a narrower valve, known as the Presta valve, that requires minimum maintenance. To get the maximum performance from your bike, it's recommended to use the original valve.

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