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Wire or Folding?

09.28.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 14 Comments

I was exchanging emails with a friend the other day when he told me, “My Armadillo came in today. I love the fact that it is already shaped and much easier to install.”

Already shaped? Oh, he means he bought a wire bead tire, instead of a folding bead.

Folding Bead Tires

What’s the difference?

Well, folding bead tires can be folded. Wire beads, not so much. The bead is where the tire contacts the

Folding bead tires.

rim. Wire beads—formed by a thin steel wire—are old school. They’ve been in use for decades. The folding beads are usually made of Kevlar. Wire bead tires are usually heavier, but they’re also usually cheaper than folding beads.

Quality and Mounting

A lot of people think wire bead tires are lower quality than folding, but from what I’ve seen, that’s not necessarily the case. Some tire companies make their wire beads to a lower spec than the folding ones, but some make exactly the same tire with two different types of bead.

There is also a common feeling that wire bead tires are harder to mount than folding beads. Again, it depends on the tire. Plenty of cyclists tell of headaches trying to mount folding bead tires.

So, Which is Better?

There’s no one right answer. Wire bead tires are a little heavier, so you’re adding rolling weight to your bike. Folding bead tires can be carried in a saddle bag or handlebar bag in case you need to replace an entire tire on the road. But except for hardcore distance cyclists, I’m not aware of anyone who goes out for a ride with a whole spare tire. Just a tube.

Where to Buy

I look at the bike store’s collection of wire bead tires with envy—not because I aspire to own one, but because of their lower prices. But I will continue to buy folders. I get them via mail order since they’re cheaper than paying retail at a bike shop, and they ship more easily. If you’re looking to buy tires online, here are a few recommendations:

  • Chain Reaction Cycles: Offers a wide selection of both wire and folding bead tires.
  • Jenson USA: Another great option with competitive prices and a variety of brands.
  • Bike Tires Direct: Specializes in bike tires and accessories, often running good sales.

Demonstrating Folding Wire Bead Tires

By the way, you can fold wire bead tires, as is demonstrated in this video

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Categories // tires Tags // tires

The Mystery of the Disappearing Slow Leak

09.19.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

Last week, I discovered that my front tire was way down in pressure.  This struck me as odd, because it hadn’t been that many days since I had last ridden, and the tire shouldn’t have lost that much air.  Must have developed a slow leak.

I pumped it up and went out on my usual Saturday ride, which turned out to be the bad ride.  When I put the bike away after only 10 miles, the tire was still firm.

The next morning, I put the bike in the back of the SUV to drive to San Marcos for what I hoped would be a 68-mile ride.  But when I went to pump up the tire at the ride start, pressure was down again — to only 60 pounds.  I decided to go the 41-mile route instead, just to be on the safe side.  The tire performed well.

Then Tuesday, it was the time trial.  Oddly, the tire pressure was just a little under the 100 pounds I’d pumped it up to on Sunday.  I topped it off, headed out to the time trial, and had a great run (22:17 unofficial time for eight miles – previous best had been an official 23:02).

I didn’t ride again until Friday morning. Pressure had dropped to about 80 pounds over the three days since the TT – not unusual.  I pumped it up and rode.  Then rode another 25 miles Saturday.  The tire barely needed pumping at all.

This morning, I had planned a fairly long ride – about 60 miles round trip.  When I squeezed the tire in the garage, it felt firm.  I put the pump on it, and only had to add about 10 pounds.

I rode to San Marcos and back.  Total mileage 58. Just for fun, I checked the tire before writing this post at suppertime.  Still at 100 pounds.  Whatever slow leak is, or was, in the tire seems to be sealing itself.

I pulled the wheel, took off the tire, and put in a replacement tube.  I think one can press his luck only so far.

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Categories // tires Tags // slow leak, tires

Extra Tire Protection?

08.26.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 12 Comments

I’ve been lucky lately – no flats in the last two months, after a whole raft of them earlier this summer.  But a friend of mine has been plagued by the flat monster.  it seems every time we talk biking, he’s had another flat.

From the Mr. Tuffy website.

He thinks he might have his problem solved, however.  He bought some tire liners for his tires.  He thinks the extra layer will give him the protection he needs from the tiny shards of glass and bits of metal shavings that seem to cause most of his flats.

If that doesn’t work, he says he’s got his eye on some Slime inner tubes.  They come coated with a thin layer of Slime to prevent flats.

I’ve heard two different sides of the tire liner story.  On the one hand, testimonials I’ve read say they work.  Others say the extra protection comes at a price – and the price is poorer ride quality than you would get without the liners.  “You lose some of the suppleness of the tire,” said one forum commenter.  Another chimed in, ‘You lose some of the suppleness of the tire, and after a year or so, the ends of the tire liners eventually slice the tube wide open.”

But if you install the Mr. Tuffies, “problem solved,” said another.

I told my friend tire liners might work, but wouldn’t he be better off just spending a little more on good tires?  Or even shopping around a little to get good tires, but at a good sale price?

I have no experience with either tire liners or the Slime tubes.  My Gatorskins are holding up pretty well (They’ve taken a lot of abuse from being ridden on some crummy roads around here), so I’m not going to dash out and spend money on preventive measures when I don’t feel it’s necessary.

Have you had experience with either tire liners or the Slime tubes? Any recommendations about which way to go?

Mr. Tuffy: http://mrtuffy.com/index.php

Slime: http://www.slime.com/index.php

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Categories // tires Tags // slime, tire liners, tires

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