Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

At the risk of starting a religious thread, aside from being easier to post and store, and a for being (potentially more susceptible to) blowing out, and one perhaps being v slightly lighter than the other, I don't really know any strong reason to get one over the other.

Why should I buy folding or wired tyres?

I don't believe there is any strong reason to choose one over the other. It's largely a matter of convenience. Buy whatever suits you.

There is no difference. I have one of each on my commuter.

They weigh the same and neither has blown off its rim yet.

They both go round and round, supporting my butt mile after mile.

You can take spare folding tyres with you.

Folding are easier IMHO to mount without levers. YMMV

I didn't think high end road tyres came in wire bead. Which means folding tyres, with high thread count, are more puncture resistant. Some of the top end folding tyres use duel compounds for less rolling resistance when straight and more grip when cornering. Is that an option for wired?

Tyre weight matters

If u are buying online then u pretty much need to buy folding. Its cheaper to buy online (30 to 40 dollars for gators online compared to 70 odd dollars LBS. It is no difference as far as performance goes but folding is great for taking with u if u are doing long rides.

Please dont comment on gators good or bad.

Folding, as others have mentioned, usually easier to fit without levers, therefore less chance of damaging your wheels, downside- normally a bit dearer.

I only run kevlar beaded tyres (except for one set of wire beaded tyres I was given to try), much easier to store, as mentioned earlier, much easier to carry as a spare.

Never had a tyre blow off a rim, not sure if I'm lucky, but that's the only other upside of wire, if it blows it may not fall off your wheel.

ajgool wrote:If u are buying online then u pretty much need to buy folding. Its cheaper to buy online (30 to 40 dollars for gators online compared to 70 odd dollars LBS. It is no difference as far as performance goes but folding is great for taking with u if u are doing long rides.

I've bought Gatorskins, both folding and non folding, off wiggle, and paid the same postage on both occasions. They obviously can't box the non folding, but they still get here in the same time. They came wrapped in a sealed black plastic wrap.

I think that wire beads are easier to fit, because they hold their shape whereas the kevlar bead are all floppy.

I use a bead jack to mount them though, so that is way easier than using levers.

Reason #2. It's much easier to hide spare folding tyres from the minister for war and finance. Several wire-bead tyres hanging around is hard to justify, but a small pile of folding tyres at the back of a closet isn't as obvious.

Reason #3. Dead wire bead tyres are an absolute bitch to stuff into a wheelie bin. With the folding ones and a good pair of scissors, you can even cut them up first.

Leiothrix wrote:I think that wire beads are easier to fit, because they hold their shape whereas the kevlar bead are all floppy.

I use a bead jack to mount them though, so that is way easier than using levers.

You need a bead jack to fit them but say they are easier to fit?
Folders can be fitted with only the thumbs.

Reason #4. You won't come home and find the kids using your folders as hula-hoops.

RonK wrote:You need a bead jack to fit them but say they are easier to fit?
Folders can be fitted with only the thumbs.

I use a bead jack to mount both types of tire. It's much easier to use and a lot less of a chance of pinching the tube and putting holes in it.