Actually there are two types of mtb tyres now. Riders know them as ‘clincher’ and ‘tubular’. I suggest, you won’t come across the tubular ones very often. A rather important distinctive feature of mtb tubular tyres is the absence of beads around the edge. As you can see, edges are put together around an inner tube. It’s impossible to use this mtb tyres on any old rim. Only a special one is necessary. The mtb tyre is glued to the rim. Some riders consider tubular mtb tyres to be somehow better than clinchers. These racers appreciatetheir lighter weight, more comfort and better grip. But in most cases modern technologies are used in clincher mtb tyres more often. because of it clinchers have caught up!

The worst thing is that you’ll have to replace the whole tyre if you get a puncture. So a spare mtb tyre is required. I suppose no one like the constant need to glue the tyre to the rim. The glue naturally dries for some hours before setting it through its paces. You’d better wait a little longer but be sure you will avoid a crash. You’d better avoid punctures on the trail , if you use tubulars. It means you’ll definitely lose even with your support team nearby.

I suppose, that clincher mtb tyres are the most familiar to you. You can see them on almost all rims now. This mtb tyre is U-shapedif you cut it in half. The pressure of air inside the tyre holds its edges in place against the edge of the rim. You don’t need this naughty glue to hold it.

Let’s look closer at clincher mtb tyre. Its main three components are the bead, the fabric and the rubber. Usually the bead is a firm steel wire. This part forms the tyre’s edge and holds it to the rim. Modern lightweight stuff such as Kevlar are used in some beads. It exactly wipes out tubular mtb tyres from some riders’ point of view. The fabric forms the tyre’s profile. Nylon cords are set in layers. Another subsequent layers are put perpendicular to the next ones. So It’s worthless to use a consistent interweaving process. The subsequent layers are plies. TPI indicates performance capabilities of some mtb tyres. It means threads per inch. And thinner and more flexible fabric is marked by a higher number. They can be easily damaged but they tend to perform better due to a lighter weight.

Some people consider the rubber to be the leading stuff in mtb tyre review. But in fact it is only a coating above the fabric. The main purpose of the rubber is to protect the fabric from damage. In wet weather a tread pattern is extremely useful. Different tyre performance is provided by various compounds of rubber. extra grip is offered by soft compounds. But it will be useless quickly. If you like more longer term of service , use harder compounds, but be ready to slide around more if you push to the limit. So buy tyres which is best suited to your riding.