Before we dive into the many different types of bike tires, it is worth explaining what a bike tire is and how it works. The tire is a bike's contact point with the ground so the tire goes a long way in determining how a bike feels and handles on all sorts of surfaces.
Tread patterns vary substantially between bike tires, and especially across cycling disciplines. The tread pattern is the rubbery surface on the outside of the bike tire which makes contact with the ground. Tread patterns vary from silky smooth to bumpy and knobbly, and everything in between. We'll discuss the different tread patterns as we get into the different types of bike tires.
Bike tires are also defined by their diameter and width, with the diameter being the distance between one end of the tire to another, and the width referring the tire's two outer sidewalls (or overall thickness). Tire width is a hot topic nowadays, with more and more manufacturers and riders opting for wider tires than ever before. There was a long-held belief – which probably had to do with the technology of the time, too – that the wider the tire, the slower it was.
Upgrades in materials and tire technology mean that tires are wider and faster than ever, improving straight-line speed, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, puncture resistance, cornering, and handling, all at the same time. In some circumstances, such as time trialing and track cycling, narrow tires are still preferred as they are super lightweight and fast. You can also run wider tires at lower tire pressures, which increases the contact patch between the tire and the ground, improving handling on loose or wet surfaces.
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