20 and 24-inch MTB tyres

How to choose your 20 and 24-inch MTB tyres

These two diameters cover two very different uses: kids' and junior MTBs on one side, dirt jump and street on the other. The selection process is completely different depending on the use case.

Kids' bike or dirt jump: two opposite approaches

• Kids' and junior MTB : look for lightweight above all. A heavy tyre on a 24-inch bike accounts for a huge part of the overall weight and is felt immediately when pedalling.
• Dirt jump and street : look for durability. Thick casing, hard compound, wide width, high pressure. The tyre absorbs landings and rubs against concrete.
• Classic MTB models available in 24 inches (Minion DHF, Hans Dampf, Rocket Ron) are well suited to kids' downhill and enduro mountain biking.

What width?

• 20 x 1.75 to 2.10 : street and race, fast-rolling profile and low knobs.
• 20 x 2.20 to 2.40 : dirt jump and park, volume and cushioning.
• 24 x 2.10 to 2.25 : versatile kids' MTB, cross-country and trail riding.
• 24 x 2.30 to 2.40 : kids' MTB for downhill and enduro, for grip and protection.

Tyre pressure: the most cost-effective adjustment on a kids' bike

The pressure indicated on the sidewall is calculated for an adult. A 30 kg child has no reason to ride at the same pressure as an 80 kg adult: the tyre won't deform, the bike bounces and loses grip. Drop the pressure significantly, test it, and only increase it if you hit the rim. This is the single change that transforms the feel of a kids' bike the most, even before choosing tyres.

Tubeless on a 24-inch bike?

It is possible as long as the rim is compatible, and it allows you to run even lower pressures without risking pinch flats. The weight saving is real since the inner tube is eliminated. However, on a kids' bike that is rarely ridden, an inner tube remains easier to repair.

To find out more: How to choose mountain bike tyres

See also: 26-inch MTB tyres · Mountain bike inner tubes · BMX Street tyres