Daft question...why use folding tyres?

Darra8
Darra8 Posts: 721
edited September 2008 in MTB general
What advantage do you get from using a folding tyre....apart from being able to fold it :oops:

Cheers,

Steve
40 year old pussy who "still" hates the thought of falling off!!

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    lighter.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Darra8
    Darra8 Posts: 721
    Cheers,

    Can you use them with a tube?
    40 year old pussy who "still" hates the thought of falling off!!
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    yes.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • beski
    beski Posts: 542
    You'll find they're easier to take off & put on aswell
    Giant Defy 4 2014
    GT Avalanche Expert 2006
    Specialized Hardrock 1989
  • Konahed
    Konahed Posts: 100
    They are lighter (=better acceleration), easier to carry around, easier to post.

    Only downside is they're more expensive.
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    How do they stand with punctures?
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    the bead has no effect on punctures, the tread and rubber compiund is what makes the difference.
  • toshmund
    toshmund Posts: 390
    Talking to the owner of the LBS about some of the long and dangerous descents in the TDF, and how I had heard that not only did they not brake too much because of the speed aspect. It was also a case of the rims could heat up enough to cause a blow-out. He then explained that was a major reason for the evolution of the folding tyre, no wire in the compound to absorb the heat and possibly cause that scenario. Sounds plausible. Along with all of the other mentioned benefits of fold up tyres.
  • Bugly
    Bugly Posts: 520
    Toshmund wrote:
    Talking to the owner of the LBS about some of the long and dangerous descents in the TDF, and how I had heard that not only did they not brake too much because of the speed aspect. It was also a case of the rims could heat up enough to cause a blow-out. He then explained that was a major reason for the evolution of the folding tyre, no wire in the compound to absorb the heat and possibly cause that scenario. Sounds plausible. Along with all of the other mentioned benefits of fold up tyres.

    sounds like a load of bollocks to me. First and foremost people race on singles which are glued to the rim. Now heat buildup can get the glue to go off butdont see how a kevlar bead helps there. I would suggest a differt LBS.

    Foldable tyres are all the things the other posters said (apart from the one quoted.)
  • switchback18
    switchback18 Posts: 617
    Other reason, that hs been sort of touched upon - if you were riding somewhere remote, you can carry a spare one, folded up. Another, slightly at a tangent, reason is that often the folding versions of a model of tyre have better tread compounds and build as well.
    chasingtrails.com | twitter | facebook
  • Darra8
    Darra8 Posts: 721
    Thanks Guys.

    I was bidding on a pair on flea bay, but missed them by a quid :cry:

    can't afford new ones :cry::cry:
    40 year old pussy who "still" hates the thought of falling off!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    tyres are a rip off in some respects as they are so pricey, but if you think about what they do, its worth shelling out,

    it always amazes me when folk are buying new wheels or forks or even stems and seat posts but still riding around on the same heavy as fook and plasticky nasty original tyres.

    keep ebay hunting though, bargains come up all the time and it is by far my fave bike shop.
  • switchback18
    switchback18 Posts: 617
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    tyres are a rip off in some respects as they are so pricey, but if you think about what they do, its worth shelling out,

    it always amazes me when folk are buying new wheels or forks or even stems and seat posts but still riding around on the same heavy as fook and plasticky nasty original tyres.

    Very true, tyres are one of the biggest upgrades you can make - the difference between OK & good can be amazing. Don't cut corners on them.
    chasingtrails.com | twitter | facebook
  • skyliner
    skyliner Posts: 613
    Another plus point of folding tyres is they often have higher TPI casings. The higher thread per inch count can help to prevent punctures, while keeping the (heavier) rubber constituent of the tyre to a minimum to maximise performance. i.e. lower rotational mass.
    It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
  • Darra8
    Darra8 Posts: 721
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    tyres are a rip off in some respects as they are so pricey, but if you think about what they do, its worth shelling out,

    it always amazes me when folk are buying new wheels or forks or even stems and seat posts but still riding around on the same heavy as fook and plasticky nasty original tyres.

    keep ebay hunting though, bargains come up all the time and it is by far my fave bike shop.

    Thanks Sheepsteeth,
    Your right...i didn't think of it like that, always looking for the cheap option you see.

    I have bitten the bullet and bought a new pair of Bontrager mud x folders for £36, for the pair..not a bad deal :D
    40 year old pussy who "still" hates the thought of falling off!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    tis human nature, i hate payng for tyres. especially as i have bought loads in experimentation.

    price you have paid seems fair though, let us know how they ride.

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