Why use foldable tires? Any specific advantage?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times
in
27 Posts
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?
Why would someone use a foldable tire? What if any advantage do they have over tires with a solid bead?
#2
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
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
#3
Senior Member
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.
Likes For HTupolev:
Likes For Geepig:
#5
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3672 Post(s)
Liked 5,430 Times
in
2,759 Posts
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.
#6
Zip tie Karen
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,004
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times
in
806 Posts
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.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
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.
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.
#8
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
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.
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.
Last edited by Iride01; 10-01-21 at 08:22 AM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,672
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,061 Times
in
745 Posts
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.
#10
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
__________________
RUSA #7498
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
Last edited by ThermionicScott; 10-01-21 at 09:17 AM. Reason: better info!
Likes For ThermionicScott:
#11
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,661
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1947 Post(s)
Liked 1,468 Times
in
1,017 Posts
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.
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.
Likes For SoSmellyAir:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,905
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times
in
2,553 Posts
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.
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.
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,)
#13
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,362
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,218 Times
in
2,365 Posts
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.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Likes For cyccommute:
#15
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
Likes For 10 Wheels:
#19
Method to My Madness
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 3,661
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata GRX
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1947 Post(s)
Liked 1,468 Times
in
1,017 Posts
#21
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,543
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3672 Post(s)
Liked 5,430 Times
in
2,759 Posts
Likes For shelbyfv:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
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.
#23
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 244
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 206 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times
in
27 Posts
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?
#24
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
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.
Likes For ThermionicScott:
#25
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
Posts: 2,788
Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 919 Post(s)
Liked 745 Times
in
546 Posts
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.