There are different vehicles for the land, the sea, and the sky. You might think, well, all the cars in the world have the same tires, and all the bikes have the same tires.
But you are wrong. Tires vary even in one type of vehicle, such as bikes.
For example, you would want different tires for a mountainside bike than an open road bike.
And for daily commuting, you also need a specific tire; you need the best commuting bike tires.
The fact that commuting means daily usage should tell you that these tires have to be exceptional and sturdy.
Besides that, commuting tires also have other necessary features that you might want to check out
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Top 5 Commuter Bike Tires Review 2021
Here we have listed some of the best commuter tires that you can find in the market. All these products are top-notch, and we made sure to provide as much information as we can.
Schwinn Replacement Bike Tire
Are you looking for replacement tires that you can use on bicycles as well as motorized bikes? Well, the Schwinn bike tire might be what you are looking for or more!
These tires can provide immense mileage if you know how to use them. For example, the rear tire can roughly offer about 700 miles, while the front will ride for 1500 miles or more.
Since pressure remains more on the back end, that tire is likely to wear out more quickly.
You can get the same mileage with a motorized bike as well. But you need to be careful about how much you inflate the tire.
40-65 PSI should be enough for a smooth ride if you are using it on a bicycle.
However, what makes this item excellent for commuting is its durability. The rubber tire can provide an excellent grip and supports you in busy roads.
And the outer layer is also secure enough and will not get poked by sharp objects.
It also fits a 20-inch rim quite easily, and you can stretch it about 2 to 4 inches. Anymore stretch might affect the integrity of the item.
PROS
CONS
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Continental Gatorskin Bike Tire
Residing in a region where it frequently rains can be severe for a person who loves to commute using a bicycle.
As the slippery road can cause skidding, and it also damages the tire over time.
So, if you want to stay strong against these measly issues, you need the Continental Gatorskin tire.
It has an incredible built that will undoubtedly improve the chances of your tire lasting more even in adverse rainy situations.
The entire tire has a carbon black mixture material which allows the layers to be strong and resistant.
It also has a PolyX Breaker, or more commonly know as a polyester fiber that makes the tires denser.
As a result, you get a superior grip with these products. A Gatorskin special item known as the Duraskin also wraps the tire providing it protection against the sidewall.So, if the rims expand due to heat, the bike will not get affected.
It also makes the tire resistant against sharp objects. Thus you can take it for hiking as well.
PROS
CONS
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Serfas Drifter Tire with FPS
The condition of your daily commuting road will vary from place to place. So, if your route suffers from multiple potholes and your tires seem to wear out easily, then you might need the Serfas Drifter tire.
This tire has a special dual density technology that makes the tool puncture resistant.
The technology requires the tire to have multiple rubber compounds that gradually builds the strength of the product,
There are small irregular holes throughout the tire body that also helps to commute in bumpy, rough roads.
When the tire rolls over a rock or sharp object, instead of causing a puncture, it adjusts on the tire hole.
Thus, the tire rides smoothly, even on bumpy roads. The Serfas Drifter also has a super wire beading system.
It has thin nylon weaves that increase resistance against inflation. So, if you accidentally apply more air, it will not explode.
The ideal pressure for this tire should be 65 PSI or less. Any more pressure will reduce grip and control.
PROS
CONS
Continental Ride City ETRTO
Another bike tire suitable for rainy areas or plain routes is the ETRTO by Continental. Since rain will make the roads slippery and plain road does not have much surface area for grip, you need a tire that has a higher traction rate.
That is why the Ride City ETRTO is a convenient choice as it provides excellent traction.
The product surface has large patches in the shape of arrows running in a direction. Those patches help the tire to retain grip.
So, even when the bike slips, the traction force should pull it back. However, all of this happens in a moment’s notice, and you will barely feel them slipping or the traction force pulling. On the whole, your ride will be as smooth as it can get.
Another safety feature that Continental added to the tire is an extra puncture belt. So, the sides of the tire have a strap that protects the rim and the rubber tire from stones or sharp objects.
Thus your bike will stay protected even if a rock hits the rim at impact.
Besides that, the design of this tire is generally suitable for asphalt roads and low-resistance routes.
PROS
CONS
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KENDA Kontact K841 Bicycle Tire
Aside from durability, you obviously want something more from your daily commuting bike.
And if you are on a time crunch, wishing your bike was just a little bit faster, then we recommend you ride the KENDA Kontact K841.
It is an incredible model for speed as far as the standard goes for commuting tires.
The criss-cross design on the tire surface allows rolling-resistance. As a result, when you peddle, the bike moves with more force than you initially applied.
In a simple sense, the tire doubles your force. So, slept a few minutes more in the morning? This tire will have your back. Moreover, the casing is also lightweight, which adds to the speed factor.
However, being lightweight does not mean that your vehicle will slip and slide. It still has a superior gripping mechanism that will allow control and effective breaks.
And, it also has standard tire beading that helps the tire sit snug on the wheel.
It can also handle inflating pressure up to some extent as the exterior is thick.
PROS
CONS
Suggested comparison: Garmin Edge 200 and 500
Things to Consider Before Buying
All of the mentioned models are amazing on their own, but they might not be a perfect fit for you. So, to know which of these products will help you ride your bike better, we conjured the following segment.
Tubes
Like bike tires, commuter tires also come in various categories, and one defining feature is whether the tire has tubes or not. Based on that, your commuter tire can be of three types — Tube-tire, Tubeless, or Tubular.
A tube-tire has a tube inside that holds the air. When you inflate the tire, you practically inflate the tube. A convenient factor about tube tires is you can easily replace or change it if it incurs any damage.
Lastly comes tubular tires, which are not convenient for commuting.
Control
A commuter tire must provide maximum grip. You might have to hold a break or take a sharp turn suddenly. If the tire cannot stay put in that moment, you can quite easily meet an accident.
Moreover, a tip for more grip would be to use less pressure. The softness of the tire will allow the bike to stop at a moment’s notice.
However, this trick will end up slowing you down as the bike will not move on its own.
Another thing you should consider for a commuter bike is the PSI factor. Do not inflate the tire more than the required value. You might end up exploding the tire if you do so.
Traction
A feature similar to grip would be traction. While more grip enables the user to stop, traction will pull back.
This feature comes especially handy during the rainy season or places where the roads are always wet.
Commuting on plain asphalt roads with high traction tire is also comfortable.
So, look for patterns in the tire that can maximize traction. Hence even if the bike momentarily loses control, you can recover quickly.
Puncture Protection
Tires getting punctured is a big issue while commuting. It is easy to leak your tire as you are using it daily.
Moreover, the routes never have the same condition, and it is not possible to avoid every sharp object.
So, you need to purchase a tire that provides puncture protection, especially if you live in rocky terrain. For example, look for extra layers of synthetic material on tires, or protection belts.
Having these layers will mean that the initial harm will pass through these coatings, rather than the tire.
Some tires even have deep patterns, so when the bike rolls over something sharp, it gets caught in the pattern rather than slitting the tire.
Surface Area
The width of the tire can vary from the rear end to the front. So, you need to know the specifications before you purchase one.
If you unknowingly buy a set, you might end up with tires that do not fit the wheel.
Moreover, it is better to choose a commuter bike tire that has a bigger width as it will provide more surface area; as a result, the user can get more control over the vehicle.
Ideally, your commuter bike tire should have a width between 28c to 42c, but if you decide to get a bigger one, make sure the bike wheel is compatible as well.
Construction
There are a lot of things to consider regarding the design of a commuter tire. For example, do you need black carbon fiber or industrial rubber will do? So, consider the condition of your road before you make the purchase.
Some tires have synthetic nylon weaves that provide a denser exterior — thus making the tire resistant to punctures.
The synthetic cover also offers more resistance, thus giving more grip. However, it can slow you down since the tire becomes heavier.
You also need to check for the casings and see what material they are. Your casing can be silk or natural product such as cotton.
Each casing will have a different characteristic, and you should choose accordingly.
Furthermore, you can determine the casing strength from the TPI value. Lower TPI value will provide more resistance and protection against puncture, but at the same time, decrease speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use a tube tire as a tubeless?
Yes, but the process is tricky and not always successful.
How do I fit a tubeless tire?
Check the valve and rim at first and align the tire with the rim.
There should be arrows pointing you in the right direction. Fix the bead on the rim and add a sealing agent.
Can I use these tires on motorized bikes?
No, unless the brand specifies that you can use it.
How much should I inflate the tire?
Each bike has a limit to which you can inflate. However, the limit falls in a range.
So, if you want more speed, make sure to inflate it to its threshold. Some tires have inflate-protection as well.
How do I tell if my tire offers more grip or not?
If your tire has ultra-treading, it will likely have less grip. So, avoid getting a tire with more tread if you want more control. Also, less pressure and a softer tire will provide you more control.
Final Words
So, as you see, a random tire will not do for your daily commutes. You need the good commuter bike tire if you want to ride the bike effectively.
It not only provides more protection and grip but also saves your energy. So, why not give it a shot!