How To Purchase Bicycle Tires Online
If you notice that your bicycle tire is a little worn or not staying inflated, you will likely jump online to order a new one. However, this can leave a lot of people a little confused. Ordering a bike tire is more complicated than it sounds at first. There are a lot of options and variables that you need to choose from. Also, the experience can be a little different for mountain versus road versus hybrid bike tires.
Finding the Right Tire Size
First and foremost, you need to get the right tire size. Fortunately, this is relatively easy. It is usually printed or embossed on the sidewall of your existing tires. Just check them to find the right diameter and width. Unsurprisingly, the small number is the width, and the large number is the diameter.
Bear in mind that a lot of tires will be measured in metric, in part due to the historical popularity is French bikes. It is difficult to confuse millimeters and inches (a 700-inch tire would be enormous). Nonetheless, it is always a good idea to check your units if you aren’t sure.
Choosing an Optimal Tire Tread
You’ll also want to make sure you have the right tire tread. If you own a couple of hybrid bikes for women, you likely don’t want to be strapping mountain bike tires onto them. Similarly, you don’t want a road tire on your mountain bike.
Most people will want a fairly standard tread with some pronounced sections, but not too many. This is great for a hybrid bike and offers all-terrain performance. If you plan to hit the trails, you will want a more aggressively grooved tire. For the roads, you want a nice, slick tire.
Picking the Right Tube and Valve
You’ll also want to match the tire valve type. There are two major options: Presta and Schrader. The latter are typically shorter and wider. You need to match them because a proper fit in your bike wheel will help to prevent damage. A Presta can fit in a Schrader hole with an adapter. However, a Schrader will always be too wide for a Presta hole.
The Easiest Option
The simplest option is almost always to order replacement tires from the manufacturer of your bike, especially if you are uncertain about the fit. As you can likely tell from the above, there are a lot of options. These can be a little overwhelming when you order online.
Fortunately, a lot of manufacturers make this easy. For example, sixthreezero reviews indicate that not only are the bikes great but also that the servicing and replacing tires is easy. You may be able to score a deal if you buy third-party. However, this will quickly turn into a bad deal if you accidentally order the wrong tire.
Order Bike Tires Today
Learn more about ordering bike tires online today. When you want to order new tires, you want to get the same size and fit. Ordering from the bike manufacturer is the easiest option. However, if you are experienced, you may consider going elsewhere.
