Folding tyres buying guide

There are plenty of different types of bike tyres on the market: rigid tyres and folding bike tyres. They’re both available in a similar range of sizes to fit all bike frames; however, they’re constructed differently.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What folding bike tyres are
• How they differ from rigid tyres
• Which bikes folding tyres are suitable for
• How to choose one

What is a folding bike tyre?

Both rigid and folding tyres feature a bead that runs along the edge of the tyre. When the inner tube within a tyre is inflated, this bead clinches on the inside of the rim – making the wheel safe while earning these tyres the nickname ‘clinchers’.

Rigid bike tyres use a wire bead to clinch the rim. Folding bike tyres, however, use Kevlar beading to keep the tyre secure on the rim.

Kevlar is hard-wearing and robust, but unlike the wire used in rigid tyres, it can be folded. This development in tyre technology means that modern folding tyres are both lighter and easier to carry than rigid tyres.

Why choose a folding tyre?

Folding tyres have some benefits over rigid tyres that some riders may prefer.

Lightweight – folding tyres are often more lightweight than rigid tyres, which means they can improve performance.

Transportable – folding tyres are usually a lot easier to transport than rigid tyres, meaning they can be easily carried while you’re out and about riding your bike.

The main trade-off for these benefits is that they can be more expensive than rigid tyres.

What type of bike are folding tyres suitable for?

Folding tyres come in plenty of different sizes, similar to rigid tyres and because they work in the same way, which means they’re interchangeable as long as you are picking the correct size tyres.

Mountain Bikes

One of our favourites is the Schwalbe Magic Mary Folding Bike Tyre. A great upgrade for all mountain bikers, the tyre combines folding and tubeless technology in one impressive package and is perfect for riders who push their bike to the limits.

Alongside the Schwalbe Hans Dampf TL Folding Tyre Addix, they're one of the best folding bike tyres for mountain biking.

Road Bikes

Road riders can choose from a selection of high-performance tyres, including the Schwalbe Pro One Evolution TLE Bike Tyre, one of the best road bike tyres Schwalbe has ever developed. It boasts market-leading features and the tyre benefits from Tubeless Easy technology, added V-Guard puncture protection and a new compound that maximises speed and control.

How to fit a folding bike tyre

Fitting a folding bike tyre follows the same process as installing a rigid bike tyre. Follow these few simple steps:

Step 1: Unpack the bike tyre

Before fitting your bike tyre, you’ll need to unpack the tyre and unfold it. Once you’ve unpacked it, the tyre may seem a little floppy or loose, but after a short while it should begin to take shape. Lay the wheel gently on the floor, and you can roll the bead of the tyre against the rim of the wheel, as more of the tyre grips the edge, the more rigid it will start to become.

Step 2: Secure to the rim

While you can use tyre leavers at this stage, many riders find they can roll the tyre onto the rim using a bit of pressure from their hands, this can avoid accidentally cutting the tube with a tyre lever, or trapping it between the bead and the rim – both of which can lead to punctures.

Step 3: Inflate

Once you have added the tube and fitted the tyre to both sides of the rim, you can then inflate it. At this point, any wrinkles in the tyre should disappear, make sure you inflate it to the recommended PSI and you’re good to go.

How to fold a folding tyre

When you’re packing your folding tyres away to carry them around, don’t stress to much about the way that they’ve been folded. The Kevlar beading makes folding easy and there’s really no wrong way to fold them compared to Rigid tyres where you can risk damaging if they’re folded too tightly.

With folding tyres, we recommend folding them in half, and then half again and using an elastic band or cable tie to secure them together. 

If you have any further questions around folding bike tyres, then pop into your local Halfords store and speak to one of our friendly staff, or browse our full range of bike tyres over at Halfords.com