Folding tyres

Practical cycling tour companions

Punctured tyre on a day trip? With folding tyres in your pack, this is no problem, as the replacement tyre can be quickly and flexibly fitted, and the old tyre removed. As a general rule, folding tyres are compatible with the majority of branded bicycle rims. Their advantages: they are lighter than standard clincher tyres, they can be easily transported, and are therefore perfect to carry with you, so as always prepared for a spontaneous tyre change. Due to their properties, folding tyres are a classic basic for racing bikes, although they are also available for various types of bike, such as mountain bikes or city bikes. As a result, the practical helper is also quickly ready for use when biking or cycling through the city.

What makes folding tyres so flexible?

Folding tyres are a special form of clincher tyre. Amide fibres, better known under the brand name Kevlar, give the folding tyres their flexibility. As a result, they can be easily stored in a rucksack, for example, or attached to the frame. The core in clincher tyres, on the other hand, consists of two steel rings, and is somewhat impractical for use on the road. If folding tyres are not to be used in the near future or taken on tour, they should be stored so as protected from heat and extreme cold, e.g. in a basement or garage.

Tips for your tyre change with folding tyres

Here's how to perform a tyre change with folding tyres: first of all, the rim and rim tape are checked. If both look OK, the folding tyre can be unfolded. Kinked areas can be reshaped using both hands. To ensure that no small stones or dirt particles get into the tube and cause damage, the tyre and wheel should only be placed on clean surfaces. The direction of rotation is indicated on the side of the tyre. The flange of the rim can now be placed inside the tyre. The wall of the tyre can now be pressed over the rim flange using your thumbs. If it is not a tubeless tyre, a new tube should also be inserted when fitting a new tyre. Many folding tyres are available in tubeless variants. With this system, no bicycle tube is used - the tyres and rims come together to form a seal. Because tubeless tyres guarantee good performance, they are particularly well-suited for sportier disciplines.

Folding tyres vs. clincher tyres

The differences between folding and clincher tyres lie in their construction. A clincher tyre generally consists of two steel hoops (the core) – these are connected by a woven fabric such as nylon. In addition, there is a tube on the inside of the tyre. In the case of folding tyres, the wires of the core are instead made from Kevlar fibres.

Depending on the model, a folding tyre can be very compact, whether folded or rolled, and weighs just a few grams. This light weight really benefits the rider when accelerating. Discover our wide range of folding tyres now, from top brands such as Continental, Schwalbe etc., for racing, mountain, or city bikes!