Arguably, choosing your tires is the most important decision you’ll make regarding your bike. After all, you count on your bike to get you to and from a lot of places—work, running errands, or just casual joyriding—and the tires can’t fail you when you need them most.
Inexpensive, low-quality tires might not last as long as you’d prefer, even if you only ride casually. That doesn’t mean you have to shell out the big bucks for the most expensive tires, either. Instead, you should seek out a happy medium, buying durable tires intended for casual riders like yourself.
If you in a hurry though and want to get straight to a few we like on Amazon, then see below;
- Continental Gatorskin Clincher Tire (We love Continental tires!)
- Vittoria Zaffiro Pro III Tire (Reasonably Priced)
- Maxxis Re-Fuse Road Bike Training Tire (Can buy them in pairs)
If your search for bike tires has led you here, then welcome. We think you’ll like the picks we selected for best bike tires.
Our Favorite Bike Tires:
For Everyday Riding — Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Tire
There are fewer better options on the market than Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin tires. While those who enjoy racing bikes might find these tires somewhat heavy, their weight is perfect for bike commuters and other casual riders.
Their Poly X Breaker construction, a Continental trademark, means you’re safeguarded from tire punctures during your rides. With their wear-optimized tread compound, you can be assured you’ll have your GatorSkin tires for a while.
- CARBON BLACK MIXTURE- The Gatorskin, manufactured with a durable carbon black mixture, is as comfortable on the way to work as it is training for road races.
- POLYXBREAKER- The polyester fibers overlap during manufacturing, yielding a very dense fabric and minimal space in-between threads, making the PolyX highly resistant to any foreign body without reducing the rolling resistance.
- DURASKIN- Sidewall protection coming from the high-quality polyamide fabric encasing the core casing of the tire from scuffs and cuts under the worst conditions.
- WEAR OPTIMIZED TREAD- Get the most out of your tire with the Gatorskin’s wear optimized tread compound, adding a long service life.
- HANDMADE IN GERMANY-Continental has been hand-making their tires since 1871, maintaining the integrity of tradition, while evolving with the most advanced technology.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For Less Risk of Punctures — Vittoria Zaffiro Pro III Tire
Although you do your best to avoid road debris and other hazards, sometimes the worst happens and you run over this debris, ruining your tires. Having puncture-resistant tires like Vittoria Zaffiro Pro III Tires will give you great peace of mind no matter where you go on your bike. These tires are designed for miles and miles of riding without succumbing to puncture damage.
This is mostly due to their PBR puncture protection. Even if you do hit road debris or other hazards, the tires should withstand the damage. That lets you get home or wherever you’re going safe and sound. The Zaffiro Pro III tires also come outfitted with an Aramid Endura 3D compound. This allows you to use the tires over long distances while enjoying low-rolling-resistance all the way.
Don’t be fooled; although these tires have a racing-inspired tread, they’re as suitable for casual riders as they are for racing enthusiasts.
- 60 TPI nylon casing
- Folding tire with Puncture Resistant Belt (PRB)
- Secure Grip
- Long tread life
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For Durability — Hutchinson Tubeless Intensive Tire
Another solid pick if durability is at the top of your priority list is Hutchinson’s Intensive tires. These are tubeless tires that weigh about two pounds each. Measuring 8x3x3 inches, Hutchinson promises these tires are indestructible. They can certainly stand up to punctures without popping.
- Recommended for training and long-distance riding in all conditions
- Tubeless ready, folding bead
- Hard skin, Bi-compound
- Casing: 127 TPI
- Weight: 270G
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
For Inexpensive Tires — Maxxis Re-Fuse Road Bike Training Tire
If you’re on a budget but still want quality tires, may we recommend Maxxis Re-Fuse Road Bike Training tires? While you’re paying less than $50 per tire, you’re still protected from punctures due to the included silkworm cap and Kevlar belt.
Maxxis’ tires have a diamond knurled pattern throughout on both the rear and front of the tire. This improves durability and yes, it looks pretty good, too. You could even race on these tires if you wanted to, but that’s not necessary. They’re just as good for everyday riding.
- Diamond knurled slick design
- Maxx Shield for maximum puncture resistance
- Training tire
- Folding bead
- ETRTO: 50-584 , TPI: 60, BEAD: FOLDABLE , DUAL COMPOUND , MAX PSI: 60 , TECH: /TR
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
What to Look for in Bike Tires
We gave you four great suggestions above that should serve as a starting point when you begin your search for the best bike tires. Whether you buy those tires or others, here are some qualities you should seek out:
- Thread count casing: The higher the thread count casing of your bike tires, the more lightweight they typically are. That means smoother biking for you. Thread count casings are represented as threads per inch or TPI. On the lower end, tire thread count may be 20 to 60 TPI. On the higher end, it’s 320 TPI.
- Puncture-resistant: Road debris and hazards are a risk when you’re on your bike. If your tires are puncture-resistant, then they won’t go flat if you hit any debris. This prevents you from cutting your trips short.
- Tubeless: Tubeless tires use lower tire pressure (at least 20 pounds per square inch or PSI) and thus have a lower risk of pinch flats. They also lend themselves to a smooth riding experience due to their improved traction. The Hutchinson tires we linked to above are tubeless.
- Foldable: There are also foldable tires, which typically include an aramid-fiber bead so they’re more flexible. Being able to fold down your tires and stash them in an equipment bag means you can take your bike further.
Conclusion
When it comes time to choose your bike tires, you shouldn’t rush through this decision, nor should you scrimp on the money side of things. Cheap tires could blow out when you hit road debris, leaving you stranded and possibly injured.
By selecting any of the tire brands we highlighted above, you’ll be protected from punctures and other tire damage.
Whether you prefer foldable or tubeless tires, we hope we’ve made it easier for you to find the perfect tires for your casual bike riding needs.
