Cross Country Mountain Bike Tires

How to Pick A Mountain Bike Tire

Have you ever stood in front of the wall with all the mountain bike tires and been a little overwhelmed?  We're going to breakdown some of the basics for choosing a tire - but remember we are here to help you choose the best tire for you.  So don't be afraid to call or stop by the shop and talk with us about how to pick the best tire for your bike. 

The Basics:

1. What size tire do you need?
• Tires come in three main sizes: 26", 650b (27.5") and 29" that will correspond to your wheel size.  You'll need to know what size wheel you have.  
2. Consider the width of the tire:
• For most cross country and trail riding you'll be looking for a tire between 2.1" and 2.5" inches.  This is the sweet spot for single track riding.
• This width will balance grip (wider tires generally give more grip) and weight (wider tires are also generally heavier than narrow tires)
• Wider tires will give you more volume and a more supple ride at the same tire pressure
• You don't need to run the same width tires in the front and the rear, in fact, our shop manager prefers to run a wider tires on the front and a narrower tire on the rear.  This saves him some weight on the rear wheel while still giving him the grip and volume he likes in on the front wheel.
3. The tread pattern will give you an idea of how the tire performs:
• Bigger, blockier knobs give better grip than smaller, smooth knobs
• Look for side knobs to give you great cornering grip
• Smoother knobbed tires will have lower rolling resistance but less grip in general and will not perform well on muddy or loose conditions
• Many tires are directional - that means that the manufacturer will have a suggested direction to run the tire - or they are front or rear specific.   But these are just suggestions - you might run a directional tire the other way because you like the way it grips.
4. Tubed or Tubeless?
• Tubeless set up can be lighter, allows you to run lower pressure (which can be faster), and you won't pinch flat
• To run tubeless you 'll need to make sure the tire has a special bead that allows it to run tubeless and that the wheel is also compatible.  Some non-tubeless tires can be run tubeless but they are usually more difficult to air up.
• Tubed set ups don't require a special wheel or tire.
5. Sidewall and tire construction:
• If you ride where there are sharp rocks or goatheads consider getting a tire with extra sidewall protection.  There is nothing worse than having a huge cut in your tire or multiple thorn punctures.

Watch our Bar Side Chat on Mountain Bike Tire Selection

Our Favorite Mountain Bike Tires

Continental X-King $34.95 - $34.99 You can have it all! Predictable cornering grip is combined with a… [more]	Continental Mountain King II 29 ProTection (folding) $64.95 Continental’s Mountain King II 29 reigns over wet and dry trails alike… [more]
Continental Mountain King II ProTection $64.95 Continental’s Mountain King ProTection reigns over wet and dry trails… [more]	Continental Mountain King ProTection $64.95 Continental’s Mountain King ProTection reigns over wet and dry trails… [more]
Continental X-King 29 ProTection $64.95 You can have it all! Predictable cornering grip is combined with a… [more]	Continental X-King 29 ProTection (folding) $64.95 Continental's X-King is a great all-around tire with a fast-rolling tread,… [more]
Schwalbe Racing Ralph Tubeless Ready (29-inch) $84.99 Racers have been winning on Schwalbe's Racing Ralph tire for years. It… [more]	Schwalbe Racing Ralph Tubeless Ready w/Double Defense $90.00 Racers have been winning on Schwalbe's Racing Ralph tire for years. It… [more]

Check out More Mountain Bike Tires

Continental Retro Ride (26-inch) $39.99 Perfect for stylish urban steeds, Continental's Retro Ride matches… [more]	Continental Mountain King II ProTection $64.95 Continental’s Mountain King ProTection reigns over wet and dry trails… [more]
Continental X-King ProTection (folding) $64.95 Continental's X-King is a great all-around tire with a fast-rolling tread,… [more]	WTB All Terrain (26-inch) $31.99 WTB's All Terrain is the tire your comfort and trekking bike needs to see… [more]