How to choose your MTB tyres?

It is worth remembering that your MTB tyres are the only contact points between your MTB and the ground. Their role is to ensure good grip for traction, but they must also provide braking, steering, comfort, and efficiency for your bike.

Standards

Adult wheel size: 26"; 27.5" MTB wheel; 27.5+; 29+ and 29" MTB wheel
Fitting types depending on your MTB wheels:

Tubetype (*Tubetype or inner tube in English): refers to a tyre designed to be fitted with an inner tube.
Tubeless Ready: refers to a tyre that can be fitted without an inner tube provided a sealant is used. Be careful not to confuse it with a Tubeless* tyre.
Tubeless: refers to a tyre designed to be fitted without an inner tube, with or without sealant. Be careful not to confuse it with a Tubeless Ready* tyre.

The maximum tyre width permitted by your frame and/or fork
Tyre beads: flexible or rigid

Tyre components

Beyond the technologies and options specific to each brand, there are several common points, namely:

The carcass of a tyre is made up of a weave of nylon threads. The number of threads over a given surface area is expressed in TPI. The higher this value, the more supple, comfortable and generally lightweight the tyre will be. The average value is between 60 and 100 TPI.

The beads of a tyre are the two hoops embedded in the tyre's bead that allow it to be firmly seated and held on the rim. They can be rigid (in steel or Kevlar) for a basic tyre or for disciplines that put tyres under extreme stress (Trial or DH/Freeride); or flexible (most often in polyamide) for a more comfortable, high-performance and lightweight tyre.

The hardness of the rubber compound, measured in Shore A, plays an important role. The softer it is (between 40a and 50a), the more grip the tyre will provide. Conversely, the harder it is (between 60a and 80a), the more rolling and robust the tyre will be. Some tyres combine rubber compounds of different hardnesses on the central tread and sidewalls to optimise performance.

Fitting types

Tubetype or inner tube

It remains the most classic fitment.

Tubeless Ready

Can be fitted without an inner tube provided a puncture sealant is used, as this tyre is not airtight as standard.

Tubeless

Designed to be fitted without an inner tube (even though it can accommodate one) and without sealant.

The advantages of a tubeless setup are numerous: the ability to run lower pressures to increase grip and comfort, no more pinch punctures and reduced risk of puncture by perforation with the addition of sealant, significant weight saving in the case of a Tubeless Ready setup.

Tyre width and the ETRTO standard

The same tyre model can come in several widths for a given wheel diameter. Simply put, the narrower a tyre, the better the efficiency, at the expense of comfort and handling ease. The latter will conversely be the advantages of a wider tyre.

ETRTO is an international measurement standard for tyres, expressed in millimetres, unlike the wheel diameter and width expressed in inches by manufacturers. This measurement consists of two values: the first specifies the tyre width in mm (e.g. 50 mm for 2.00" or 54 mm for 2.30") and the second is the fitting diameter (e.g. 559 for 26", 584 for 27.5" and 622 for 29"). Since inch dimensions can vary from one manufacturer to another, this internationally standardised ETRTO measurement is the most reliable.

Which tyre for my bike?

The choice of a front tyre is determined by the fork, whilst that for the rear wheel is determined by the frame. This information is provided by the manufacturers of these components. Make sure to check them in advance.

	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31 to 35	36 to 40	41 to 45	46 to 50	51 to 76	77 to 100
20 to 21
22 to 24
25 to 27
28
29 to 31
32 to 34
35 to 36
37 to 39
40 to 41
42 to 43
44 to 46
47 to 49
50 to 51
52 to 54
55 to 57
58 to 59
60 to 61
62 to 63
64 to 65
66 to 71
72 to 83
84 to 99
100 to 113
114 to 132

Which tyre for my riding style?

Your MTB riding style as well as the terrain on which you will be riding will determine your tyre choice:

Touring: For touring or leisure MTB riding, a section between 1.90" and 2.20", with a moderately dense and pronounced tread pattern for maximum versatility.
Cross-Country: For Cross-Country rides on a hardtail or full-suspension MTB, a Tubeless Ready setup with a section between 2.00" and 2.30", and a very dense, low-profile tread pattern for a tyre with low rolling resistance and maximum performance.
All-Mountain / Enduro: For All-Mountain or Enduro riding, a tubeless setup will be a bonus, between 2.30" and 2.60", with a moderately dense and pronounced tread pattern for versatility and grip.
DH / Freeride: For DH/Freeride, an inner tube setup between 2.35" and 2.60" with a low density of knobs but highly pronounced for maximum grip.

Tip: It is common to choose a different size for the front and rear wheel fitment in order to optimise the grip, control and efficiency of your bike. You should always fit a larger section at the front than at the rear.

Which tyre for the terrain conditions?

Dry and fast-rolling: a high knob density with low-profile edges.
Brittle and dry to slightly wet: a medium knob density with well-pronounced edges.
Muddy: a low knob density with very pronounced edges

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