- 1). Find the correct tire size for the bike. Look for the size on the sidewall of the tire being replaced. There should be a two-number pairing for the size, such as 700x23. The first number is the diameter of the tire in millimeters. The second number is the tire width in millimeters. For mountain bikes, the number may be more similar to 26x20, which is the tire diameter in inches by the tire width in inches.
- 2). Understand the different types of tubes on tires. There are two types of tires with respect to tubes. "Clinchers" have a separate inner tube that when inflated seals the tire to the rim. "Tubular" varieties actually have a tube sewn in and then glued onto a special edgeless rim. The clincher is the type on most bikes; tubular tires are usually found on higher-priced bikes.
- 3). Decide what type of riding is going to be done and choose a tire designed for that type of riding. There are high-performance tires that can be inflated to higher pressures for racing and there are recreational tires that are comfortable and durable for everyday use. There are also a wide variety of mountain bike tires ranging from tightly spaced knobbies to widely spaced hybrids. For riding on city streets, where debris may be a problem, there are also kevlar tires, which are very rugged.
- 4). Choose a tread for the tire. There are several treads available for bike tires. There are "slicks," which are the standard tread for riding on pavement. "Semi-slicks" have smooth centers and knobby sides for better cornering. Inverted tread tires offer less rolling resistance and more grip. Finally, there are several types of knobby tires for riding on different types of trails.
- 5). Choose the proper valve for the tire. There are two different valves for bike tires, the presta and the Schrader. The presta is a thin valve with the valve cap built into it. This cap gets loosened when filling the tire and tightened afterward. These valves are found on higher-end bikes. The Schrader valves are more common. They look like car-tire valves and will not fit on a rim that requires a presta valve.
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