Mountain Bike Tire Sizes Front Back

We mounted tires to 30 mm internal diameter wheels.

Mountain bike tire sizes front back.

2 2 and 27 5 indicate a tire that has a width of 2 2 and an outer diameter of 27 5. As tires continue to trend wider so too are the tires in our test. With mountain bikes you re mostly safe from fractional sizes but it s worth mentioning them for completeness. Some special tires can even be wider up to 3 inches with some models.

Fat bikes have tire width over 3 7. 26 inches 27 5 inches and 29 inches. Measurements like 26 1 which is the 27 5 size and 28x two fractions which is the 29 size are fractional inch markings. Additionally rear tire tread designs should complement the front tire but can be very different to achieve rear specific goals.

We now have several models in the 2 5 and 2 6 widths that are becoming much more common in the current mountain bike tire market. All mountain and trial bikes have tire width in the range of 2 25 to 2 4. Check your tire s sidewall the numbers there indicate your tire size roughly its outer diameter and its width but not always in that order. It s lighter requiring less energy to rotate.

We selected tires in the 2 3 to 2 6 inch width range. Tread profile is also important. Tires are also measured in width. Trail and all mountain bikes will have tires in the 2 25 to 2 4 width range.

For downhill bikes the tire width can go up to 2 5. This is also why a narrow tire goes on the rear wheel. Read our review on the michelin wild rock r2 all mountain tire. In general the desired tire width for the most common biking styles are as follows.

Cross country bikes have tire width between 1 9 and 2 25. Share a link to this answer. Typical mountain bike tire. Downhill bikes which are meant to withstand the abuse of drops and rock gardens are typically equipped with tires up to 2 5 wide.

On the typical cross country mountain bike you won t get bigger than a 2 1 tire back there. Alongside the tire size you have the option of running tubeless or tubed tires. Mountain bike tire size and width. Sticking with only a wide front tire is a good compromise.

Once you ve identified your tire diameter 29 27 5 or 26 you ll want to dial in your width. This varies from 1 6 to 2 5 inches. At the extreme end there are 69er and 96er mountain bikes that mix and match 29 622 and 26 559 wheels on the same bike as well as terry women s bikes with 24 520 front wheels and 700c 622 rear. Previously the tire was only available in a 2 3 inch width and the brand released the new version in june 2018 in 2 5 and 2 6 inch widths.

It s important to note that you cannot mix fractional markings with decimals. Most riders prefer a tubeless system. By necessity those run very different tires front and rear. A cross country bike will have tires in the 1 9 to 2 25 width range.

When wtb redesigned the vigilante last year they went all out on a modern front tire for aggressive mountain biking.