The importance of tires in a bike is often easily overlooked. Tire characteristics are closely related to the performance and efficiency of the bike. Here I will introduce you to the structure of tires and the characteristics of tires. First of all, we first understand the tires. Only by understanding the structure of the tires can we find suitable tires for ourselves.
The structure of the tire
The structure of the tire is like this. The clincher of a bicycle is the main body of the tire composed of a woven mesh cover, with a layer of tire skin attached to it to wear during rolling, and two bead lips are embedded to hold the tire
Fixed on the wheel frame, thus forming the main structure of the tire. Because bicycle tires are relatively thin and are prone to punctures or cuts, most of them will add an explosion-proof layer between the tire skin and the mesh cover to increase the strength of the tire.
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Characteristics of tires
Generally speaking, when describing the characteristics of a tire, it is roughly divided into several directions: rolling resistance, grip, road feel, abrasion resistance, explosion-proof, weight, and price. In addition, there are two other characteristics that are often overlooked but are very important: power transmission and manufacturing quality. If you want to use “noun interpretation” to explain these vocabulary, you may fall asleep before you finish reading, so I still use “feeling” to describe these characteristics, which is easier to read.
Rolling resistance
When the wheel starts to roll, you want it to keep rolling and not slow down. Of course, this is impossible because it will face wind resistance and other resistance. In terms of the resistance of the bicycle itself, a small part of the reason is the resistance of the hub bearing, and the other main part is the “rolling resistance” of the tire. The smaller the rolling resistance, the easier it is to maintain the speed. In other words, the speed will increase if you use the same strength to step on it. Needless to say, the smaller the rolling resistance, the better.
Grip
When you are cornering or braking, the last thing you want to happen is skidding. At this time, the tire’s “grip” is the key. Even in straight acceleration, grip is required when the force is strong. The greater the grip, the better.
Road sense
When encountering uneven roads, some tires will make you feel very bumpy and make your whole body uncomfortable. Some tires are stuffy and don’t feel anything. Other tires make you feel changes in road conditions but don’t feel bumpy. These feelings are collectively referred to as the “sense of the road.” You want to have a comfortable sense of the way, not a sense of the way that will overwhelm you.
Abrasion resistance
Generally speaking, bicycle tires are expensive. If you use the amount per unit of rubber, they are many times more expensive than bike tires. So you would hope that such expensive things can last longer. This is the responsibility of the tire’s “wear resistance”. The better the wear resistance, the longer the mileage that can be used.
Explosion-proof
Broken tires can be said to be the most common failure encountered in cycling leisure sports, and in order to reduce the weight of the tire skin is often only a thin layer, it is not easy to withstand the puncture of stones, glass, tree branches. Most outdoor tires have an “explosion-proof” design to prevent foreign bodies from piercing the mesh cover.
Weight
Maybe you are one of those who are chasing lightweight. Any spare part on a bicycle has to care about the dozen or twenty grams. Undoubtedly, the inner and outer tires are also a lightweight standard, and one bicycle can be as short as one or two hundred grams. Regardless of the effect of reducing the weight of the tires, just seeing the weight reduction on the book of the whole bike may make you obediently take out the money to buy lightweight tires.
Force transmission
If you, like me, have ridden the particle tires of mountain bikes and replaced them with bald tires, you will definitely feel that the acceleration is more pronounced with the same effort when you start, and it becomes lighter when climbing. This is that the “power transmission” of the tire has become better, or it can be said that the “rigidity” of the tire is better. A tire with poor power transmission looks like a tread stuck to an asphalt road, but it is like stepping into the mud with a lot of effort.
Manufacturing quality
Do you feel that some tires look frizzy and uncomfortable? Some tires add different colors for visual effects or other reasons, but have you found that the color junction is skewed? Some tires are put on the rim and then you turn around. Have you noticed that they are not “perfect round” and have deviations up and down? Even manufacturers should not be happy to see these unpleasant aspects in their products, but it may be that quality control fails to meet the requirements or sacrifices made under cost considerations.
Price
The price of tires also varies greatly. A lightweight tire used in competition may cost two to three thousand yuan, but a training tire may cost less than five hundred yuan. There are some tires with outstanding characteristics on the market, such as extremely lightweight or ultra-high tire pressure. It often depends on how much you are willing to spend in exchange for these characteristics, and these characteristics in exchange for money may make you ride Feel happy while cycling, or make the race performance even better.
In addition to the price, it is almost possible to take into account all the features, depending on the manufacturer’s design ingenuity and industrial technology. However, often after adding cost and selling price factors, compromises are produced. It has become a little difficult to make comprehensive tires at a reasonable price, so manufacturers will make a fuss about certain features of the product to increase the attractiveness of the product.
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