Why use foldable tires? Any specific advantage?
 

I just recently became aware of foldable tires. All the tires I've had have had solid wire beads.

Why would someone use a foldable tire? What if any advantage do they have over tires with a solid bead?

you can fold one up and stow it in saddle/frame bag of some sort. plus, wire beads are stiffer to mount if the rim to tire tolerances are especially tight. folding tires can stretch a bit making it easier in the same scenario. lastly, and it's a minor issue really, is wire beads can rust with age. but, if you ride often enough, you'll wear the tread out before that happens

1-One advantage of folding beads is that they can be folded. While wire-bead tires can be packed into reasonably small hoops if you know what you're doing, tires with folding beads can be safely packed into an even smaller volume. This is useful for things like storage, shipping, or carrying a spare tire while touring.

2-Beads made from foldable fibrous materials generally weigh less than wire beads.

3-People nearly always use folding-bead tires on tubeless setups, because tires designed for tubeless generally use folding beads.

4-Tire manufacturers generally don't make high-end models with wire beads, so if you want quality rubber, the best options usually have a folding bead.

And it is so much easier and therefore cheaper to mail folding ones.

First for me is expanded tire choice. As mentioned above, nicer tires aren't readily available with wire beads. Next would be ease of shipping because I usually buy tires online. Final reason would be weight. I can't recall if there is a difference in mounting, it's been a long time since I used a wire bead tire. Nevertheless, if you are content with what you use, all is well.:thumb:

Why does Costco sell mixed nuts in square-ish plastic jars versus the former round jars? Efficiency in packing and transporting, which equals cost savings.

Though you have only asked for advantages, there are a couple disadvantages to folding tires:

1. Generally a bit more expensive.

2. First installation can be a hassle, as the tire wants to fold itself back up while you're trying to wrestle it onto the rim.

Foldable are lighter too. Or so I've been led to believe. Hard to fact check that since there aren't any high dollar wire bead tires that I'm aware of to compare with a high dollar folding bead tire.

I'd think most people are on folding bead tires and maybe they just don't realize it. Especially if on a road bike made in this century and sold by other than the big box discount stores.

Lighter being one of the advantages in addition to everything else mentioned previously. Kevlar or whatever gets used for the bead is lighter than steel.

The best apples-to-apples comparison I know of is the Panaracer Pasela "ProTite", available in wire or folding bead. Seems to be a 50-60 gram difference, depending on the model:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...301cdaffc2.png

Another "apples-to-apples" comparison using Continental Ultra Sport III:

continental bicycle Ultra Sport III (continental-tires.com)

Scrolling down to the 28" (i.e., 700C) models, there is a 70 g difference for the both the 25 mm and 28 mm wide tires.

Th

These two quotes basically sum it up.

I've used near identical Paselas on my commuter. Never weighed them but the folding are clearly lighter. But for a commuter I'll take wired every time. They go from the shop home folded in thirds nicely and that is the only time they'll travel by bike not mounted. They mount easier first time. Yes, maybe more strength required but it is very straightforward every time. And on the road flats are easier because getting the bead seat right is easier. Real advantage at night, in the rain, when my attention is not all there.

The 38c Paselas only come folding. Beautiful tires. Wonderful ride. But my wired 28s are so much easier to deal with in the shop. And brainlessly easy on the road. (Commuter - flats happen,)

Not always but, as noted above, folding tires are of higher quality. 60 thread per inch casings usually aren’t used for folding tires. 120 tpi and higher often are.

Try wrestling a wire bead on when it has a kink in the bead due to be coiled for shipping. On the other hand, I’ve owned lots of folding bead tires and never had one that wanted to fold back up during installation.

Spare on seat post.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d2c8c78052.jpg

what seat post? :D

The Day my bike Joined the Marines.
Combat Staff SGT K Moreno. Her brother in law introduced me.
Just Had to get a pic.

Under Neck Rest
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ccfd4c51c8.jpg

Find the Spare Tire
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...adce4cd34f.jpg

Strapped below top tube?

Next
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e2357c9714.jpg

You always have the best hot girl pics:thumb:

Did Costco happen to sneak in a size/weight reduction in with the change of shape? Similar tactics have been used e.g. when the US changed its liquor bottle sizes to metric; the bottles all got a little smaller but the price did not go down. Or the "New! Fun Size!" candy bars which seem to shrink year over year.

Can you expand on this? What characteristics define a high-end tire? To put it in terms of a tire I'm familiar with, in what ways would a high-end tire be superior to a Schwalbe Marathon Plus?

I'd consider the SMP to be a "high-end" tire. It's just that the priorities are not the same between all high-end tires. ;)

that's a pretty high end tire for what it is....a commuter/touring tire. it's built for durability and practicality and has had a solid reputation for years. and, you won't find them on the walmart shelf.
superiority is relative, though. you aren't going to commute on boutique handmade $110 tubular and you aren't gonna race on a marathon plus. iow's...application is the scale.