Best Mountain Bike Tire Reviews 2020

Mountain bike tires have a wide price range which is due to multiple factors such as size, compound, brand, and more. As you can imagine, larger tires typically cost more than smaller ones because they require more material and in some cases, manufacturers have different versions of a particular tire which brings with it added features.

A good price range for mountain bike tires is $20/25 on the low end and this can go all the way up to $300 or even more. The higher end tires are typically for riders that are more serious or professional, so if you’re just starting out, you can get a great mountain bike tire for $50-75 dollars.

When you’re shopping around, you’ll come across some cheap mountain bike tires but we advise against those because while it may look like you’re saving money, your riding will suffer. You’ll also end up having to repair cheap tires more frequently and replacing them, so it’s wise to get a good pair from the get-go.

When you’re shopping for a new mountain bike tire, there are many different features to take into account to ensure that you’ve got the right one for your bike as well as the trail you’ll be riding on.

Here are the features you may want to consider when buying a new tire:

• Wheel size – MTB tires are measured in inches and the wheel size along with its width are important to know which works for your bike.
• TPI and carcass – the carcass acts as a skeleton within the rubber. The cloth carcasses are measured in TPI (tread per inch).
• Tread pattern – this is what you see on the tire. Different mountain bike tires have different trip patterns and they affect how you ride.
• Tire compound – the material used to make the tire. Different compounds carry different properties, advantages and disadvantages.
• Tire bead – the bead of the tire is what fits into your rims. There are two types, folding and non-folding, with each offering its own set of pros and cons.
• Front or rear – some tires can be used on both the front and rear wheels while others are multipurpose tires that are made for either the front or rear wheel.
• Tubed or tubeless – some tires can be used without tubes while others need them. Each offers its own advantages and disadvantages.

A mountain bike tire’s construction is vital to its performance. One of the first things you’ll notice is the measurement which is shown as the wheel size by the tire width, e.g. 26 x 2.1 inches. The wheel size refers to the rim of your wheel and is definitely important, but so is the tire’s width. This affects the performance as well as the feel of your bike. Wider tires provide more stability when riding fast and taking sharp corners. This is because the wheel’s higher surface area provides more contact for improved traction and grip. However, a drawback of wider tires is that they decrease the mud clearance between the frame and tire, which reduces the speed.

Wider tires are also heavier than the slimmer ones, but they can work on low pressure and provide more suspension. They’re typically used for downhill bikes, all mountain and trail rides. On the other hand, slimmer tires are lighter and are able to roll faster than wider tires, but they require higher air pressure to run. These tires are usually used for light trails and cross-country riding.

When it comes to the compound used to make your tire, firm tire compounds are durable and wear slowly, but they don’t grip very well, while soft tire compound wears out quickly but are sticky and grip quite well. What you’ll notice while shopping for a new tire for your bike is that many tires are now built using a dual compound. These have a softer compound on the side knobs, which gives you an improved grip, while a firmer compound is in the middle to increase the tire’s lifespan.

There are multiple different tread patterns available on mountain bike tires. These patterns are placed in groups as each pattern offers something different and is ideal for a certain area. The knobs, which are long and pointy, offer better grip than the short and smooth ones. Not only does the length of the knob affect its grip, but so does its spacing.

Tires’ tread patterns are placed in groups:

• Minimal rolling resistance – tires in this group range from slick to semi-slick and cross country tires. It’s important to note that if you’re planning on going off-road, take note of the side knobs which are critical in cornering.
• High grip – this tire group is built for wet conditions. They have tremendous grip and are ideal riding downhill and climbing uphill.
• All-around tires – these tires are a hybrid between high grip and minimal rolling resistance tires.

Another important factor we mentioned when shopping for a mountain bike tire, or any bicycle tire for that matter, is the tube (or lack thereof).

Tube tires are fairly light by themselves but become heavy once you put them in the inner tubes. The tubes are easy to fix if they become punctured and they’re quite inexpensive, so replacing them isn’t a huge deal. On the other hand, tube tires are easily punctured and when air pressure is low, you can have what’s known as pinch flat – which is a rupture in the tube that’s a result of air pressure building up in a single area of the tube. Once you have a repair kit and know what you’re doing, repairing these issues are quite easy and quick, so you can go riding again in no time, but it may be an inconvenience for some.

Tubeless tires, as the name suggests, don’t need any tubes, but they do need a special rim to put the bead of the tire in and seal it. Luckily these rims are readily available online and at your local bike store; there are also those that can run tubeless or with inner tubes. Tubeless tires are a bit more durable than tube tires but are somewhat heavier. Unlike tube tires, tubeless tires can work with a lower air pressure, better even as the lower pressure can give your tire a better grip and provide you with more traction. Tubeless tires are fairly easy to repair once you’ve got the kit and know how to use it. It’s also important to note that tubeless tires are more difficult to install than tube tires because of their beads, but you get better at it once you’ve done it a few times.

If you’re looking to ride cross country (XC) then look for narrow tires with smooth knobs that roll fast. They give you the best performance in conditions that don’t demand as much. When things get wet then stick to those narrow tires as they clear mud well, but also look into increasing the knobs on your tread for more traction. You sure don’t want to be slipping around!

When going downhill riding, you want some strong tires that can take a beating, as gravity will be helping you on your way down. So get tires that are durable and corner well for the best experience.

Lastly, when riding the trail, look for tires that are durable with more grip than cross-country tires. These tires are also known as “Enduro” tires and they typically have softer compounds so they’re able to stick better to rocky surfaces. All-round tires work great in this case because they have the right amount of speed, durability, grip, and traction so they work well for climbing, descending, cornering, and just about anything else.