What type of mountain bike do you want to play with? What is the approximate budget? Do you want to be a pro-level competitor? Or do you just want to use it as an amateur fitness activity? You can choose the best trail bike for your needs based on your own budget. With all that in mind, one of the most important things to know about buying a mountain bike is whether the frame size is right for you. Buying a bike that doesn’t fit is like buying shoes that don’t fit, it’s very inconvenient. The following points can determine whether this bike is suitable for you to ride: 1. You can lift the Stem and the seat cushion to see if the height is at the waist. 2. When the pedal is pressed to the bottom, the thigh and calf must be almost straight. 3. When you stand on the upper tube, the height from the upper tube to your thigh should be at least 8cm. Ordinary mountain bike If you are looking for a mountain bike that can be ridden on ordinary trails, then this is your best choice. The biggest feature of this mountain bike is that it has an excellent front fork shock absorber and a high-quality body made of steel, aluminum, alloy, or carbon fiber. In fact, this kind of mountain bike has the characteristics that many riders desire. This kind of bike is usually durable and will not bring you trouble in maintenance after many years of use. The mountain bikes that are generally ridden do not care much about the weight of the bike itself, so its body structure is very strong. But it is not impossible to go in the direction of lightweights, like the ultra-light steel or aluminum body can make the weight of the whole car lighter, but generally speaking, unless it is a mountain bike for competitions, the weight of the car itself None of it matters. Full-suspension mountain bike The original purpose of installing the shock absorption system on the mountain bike was mainly to deal with the impact during the downhill race, but today, if you can have a reliable, light, and very comfortable mountain bike, even if it is not for the downhill race, is also very worthwhile. The latest mountain bike is made according to the conditions of firmness and comfort. You can ride on the bike all day without feeling very tired, so the full shock absorption mountain bike is the most comfortable mountain bike. Today, full-shock-absorbing mountain bikes are no longer limited to downhill races. The way to distinguish it is that if this mountain-climbing bike is dedicated to downhill races, except for full shock absorption, all its parts are specially designed to adapt to It is designed for strong impact during downhill races, so its weight will be about 10 pounds (4-5kg) heavier than a general off-road full-shock mountain bike. On the premise of seeking comfort, you will choose a mountain bike with full shock absorption to participate in any kind of activity. The off-road mountain bikes that professional players ride here are different from the stock or high-grade bicycles we see in the store. Professional players will choose lightweight and more efficient equipment in order to win. For this reason, they often have to endure a lot of discomfort, such as narrower tires and harder seat cushions, which are all sacrifices they make in order to get faster speeds. In the design of off-road mountain bikes, it is better to climb as fast as possible when going uphill, and not too concerned about the special conditions when going downhill or encountering uneven road surfaces. Professional mountain bikes are quite light, sometimes under 23 pounds (10.5kg) including the front shock absorber. For a long time, the mountain bikes ridden by downhill mountain bikers have been the same as those used in cross-country races, except that the front forks are equipped with longer-distance shock absorbers. But today, almost all downhill riders have chosen a full-shock mountain bike. Its shock absorber has a telescopic distance of at least 6 inches, and its weight is 10 to 15 pounds more than the average off-road mountain bike ( 20-30kg). The body used in the downhill race must be very strong because the impact force during the downhill will be transmitted from the front fork to the frame. Ordinary mountain bikes cannot bear it, and even cause the frame to disintegrate. Under the premise, weight is no longer the main consideration for downhill mountain bikes, but sturdiness is important. There is one of the most special types of mountain bikes, which are mainly used to jump over various obstacles, unlike mountain bikes that are generally ridden on ordinary mountain roads. The characteristic of this kind of mountain bike is that it is specially designed for jumping, jumping, twisting, and climbing. This stunt car is used to jump over various obstacles like blocks, stones, long tables, and even cars. The difference between this mountain bike and the general off-road vehicle is that its body is very low, and the players have enough space to twist on the car. Multi-purpose mountain bike This kind of mountain bike is designed for those who love mountain bike activities and often ride bicycles between cities and mountain roads. Although its body does not need to have a particularly strong body like a mountain bike, it still must meet the requirements of sturdiness and durability. The paintwork of the car body must be good to resist scratching, cutting, rubbing, and bumping in the city. You may also need to add racks and fenders because it needs to adapt to the road surface in the city. Its body is mostly made of steel, and aluminum alloy is also used as material, but steel is still the most. Touring mountain bike Mountain bikes are the ideal travel companions. Many people like to take mountain bikes to ride in scenic spots when traveling, and some even have little cycling experience. In any case, before deciding to plan cycling as part of your travel, you must pay attention to Some things: The first thing to pay attention to is the choice of body material, because no matter when traveling around the world if the body fails, the only material that can be repaired by welding is steel, so the steel body is the most suitable for touring mountain bikes. Strong and durable components are one of the necessary conditions. Light components are not suitable for luggage, backpacks, or travel supplies, not to mention that the riding time and distance are usually long in the case of travel, and endurance is the most important. Another important preparation before a trip is to carefully inspect the rim components. If there is no way to order a new rim set, you have to take the entire mountain bike to a good car dealer for inspection and refurbishment, check the flywheel, and replace the outer tire and inner tube with new ones, so as not to be damaged in the wilderness. suffering. You should choose a seat cushion that is very suitable for you and comfortable. It is best to test the ride for a period of time before the trip, not to test it during the trip. The material of the luggage rack should be strong, cheap aluminum products are sometimes easy to bend, and taller racks will be stronger.
As a road bike novice, besides the need to understand various road bike riding positions, the most headache should be how to operate the road bike shifting system and under what circumstances do we need to shift? With these questions in mind, today we will take you through some of the most basic concepts and operations in road bike shifting. I hope to help some road bike novices. Initial recognition of road bike shifting When you get a new bike, the first thing you need to know is how many speeds the bike can change. The product of the number of discs and flywheels on a road bike. The discs are the large discs on the right side of the bike that are connected to the crank, and the flywheels are the small discs on the right side of the bike that are connected to the rear hub. How many speeds are usually referred to as road bikes. In the end, shifting on a road bike is all about adjusting the gear ratio. If you have a road bike with 2 discs and 11 flywheels, this will give you 2×11 = 22 gear ratios, but this does not necessarily mean that you have 22 gears, and it is likely that different disc combinations will have the same gear ratios. The diagram below shows three ratios repeated 2 times, although they are made up of different discs, the ratios are nearly the same, so there is no difference in the riding experience. So the gearing effect is actually only 19 speeds. Bicycle gear ratio As mentioned earlier, gear ratio is one of the important concepts in shifting. Gear ratio indicates the number of times the wheel rotates when the crank or pedal is rotated for one week. If the gear ratio of your current cassette and flywheel is 3, it means that when you pedal for a week, the bike’s wheels will rotate three times. With a fixed pedaling frequency, the larger the gear ratio, the faster the speed, and the smaller the gear ratio, the slower the speed, but also the larger the gear ratio, the more effort it takes, and the smaller the gear ratio, the easier it is. Front transmission A front derailleur is a device that adjusts the position of the chain on a road bike cassette. The front derailleur is usually adjusted according to the number of discs on the cassette. If there are two discs, the front derailleur can only convert the chain from large to small, or from small to large. And the specific way of adjustment will depend on the specific brand of the transmission, although the adjustment is different, but the effect of shifting is the same. In other words, the larger the chain is adjusted to the large disc ratio, the smaller the chain is adjusted to the small disc ratio. There is also a common saying that “hang a big plate on a flat road, hang a small plate on a climb”. In addition, the front derailleur is usually adjusted by the left hand hand shift. Rear transmission The rear derailleur is the most frequently operated derailleur on a bike that many novices are aware of. It is usually the operation that adjusts the chain on the flywheel. The flywheel will consist of a set of discs of different sizes, and the rear derailleur will adjust the chain from the large flywheel to the small flywheel, and vice versa. According to the concept of gear ratio, the chain will be adjusted to the larger flywheel with smaller gear ratio, and to the smaller flywheel with larger gear ratio. In addition, usually the rear derailleur is adjusted by the right hand hand shift. Shifting in pedaling Remember to keep pedaling when shifting. When we shift, the shifting system needs to change the position of the chain on the disc to change, it only relies on the force and conduction of pedaling, the chain will hang on the new disc or flywheel. And we need to shift when the right foot is at the top of the pedal, when the right foot is pedaling forward, the conduction from the pedal will hang the chain on the new disc more easily. This is the most effective way to shift the gears, and at the same time has the least impact and loss on the chain and gearing. Do not cross-chain When shifting, try to avoid a big front and big back or a small front and small back. These two combinations do not provide efficient gear ratios, and they tend to cause the chain and riding direction are not on the same level, which will cause uneven force on the chain, and it is easy to break the chain or accelerate the wear of the gearing, so remember not to choose cross chain. Anticipate the road condition in advance Road conditions change a lot when riding, so you need to change your gears often and make a prediction in advance according to the road conditions. For example, if you ride with a relatively large gear ratio when the road conditions are climbing, the pedaling frequency will naturally slow down and eventually lead to a situation where you can’t pedal, so it’s best to adjust the transmission to a small gear ratio in advance before entering the slope so that the ride won’t be very hard. Combination of front and rear derailleur Many people will only use the rear derailleur, in fact, the front and rear derailleurs used in conjunction to play a greater performance. If the road ahead does not change much, such as gentle hills, or simple ups and downs, then you only need to adjust the rear derailleur to achieve more efficient shifting. If the road conditions change a lot, such as a sudden relatively large uphill, then use a combination of front and rear shifting, choose a suitable gear ratio for riding. But when shifting control the order of adjustment, generally use first adjust the front shifting, and then in the adjustment of the rear derailleur is more appropriate.
The handlebar of the bicycle is a vital part of the bicycle parts. Although it does not affect the performance of the bicycle, it will greatly affect the rider’s comfort and rider’s riding safety. The handlebar of a bicycle is the main part of the steering and handling of the bicycle during riding. It is also one of the three support points that support the human body when riding. Therefore, the handlebar is very high for the riding comfort of the rider. When riding, whether it is long-distance riding or short-distance riding, whether it is road riding or off-road riding. The first thing to consider is the performance of the bicycle or the rider’s control over the bicycle and the flexibility of the bicycle. Since everyone’s physique is different, it is also different when choosing handlebar specifications. In general, bikes with wider handlebars and longer stems are more comfortable. Of course, this length is defined according to the actual physique of the rider. No matter how comfortable the bicycle handlebar is and how scientific the design is, if it is used for a long time, it will cause a certain sense of muscle fatigue and cause muscle fatigue. There are many types of handlebars, so what exactly is the difference between the different types of handlebars? The classification of bicycle handlebars is mainly divided into straight handlebars, swallow handlebars, bent handlebars, butterfly handlebars, and other types of handlebars. Straight handlebar The shape of the straight handlebar is mainly straight, also known as the one-piece handlebar, which is very suitable for some speed riding, and the straight handlebar is often used in low-to-medium-intensity riding. Another advantage of the straight handlebar is that it can exert force very well when shaking the bike. Swallow handlebar Swallow handles are generally rare on speed-type bicycles and are generally seen on heavy-duty bicycles. Because the advantages of Yan handlebars are comfort and handling, especially when the bicycle is off-road, it is very important for the flexibility of the bicycle and the control ability of the rider. Butterfly handlebar Butterfly handlebars are most commonly found on long-distance bikes. Because the butterfly handle can improve the grip of many riding postures, it is the kind that comes from how comfortable it is, and has very good comfort. Of course, the types of handlebars are not limited to those described above, there are many. When choosing a handlebar, you must choose according to your actual situation, so that you can find the most suitable handlebar for you and increase your riding experience. For more cycling knowledge articles check out our blog posts
With the rapid development of bicycles, many riders intend to buy or already have carbon fiber bicycles, but there are still many riders who do not have a detailed and systematic understanding of the performance of carbon fiber materials. We often encounter riders who ask, carbon fiber frame and How long will the wheels last? Is strength feasible? Will you’re frame break if I weigh 120 pounds? So what exactly is carbon fiber? How good is his strength? What we usually call carbon fiber frame, in fact, should be called carbon fiber composite frame more accurately, which is a kind of fiber-reinforced composite material. It is made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin. In CFRP, we call carbon fiber the reinforcement material, which is the dispersed phase, and the resin is called the matrix material, which is the continuous phase. The reason why it becomes one of the materials of choice for high-end bicycles is determined by its own mechanical and chemical properties. His characteristics: 1. High specific strength (ratio of strength to density) and specific modulus (ratio of modulus to density). This has just resulted in making the frame of the same strength, and it can be made very light by selecting CFRP (carbon fiber composite material). The following compares the mechanical properties of several common structural materials Material Density (g/cm3) Tensile Strength (Gpa) Elastic Modulus (Gpa) Specific Strength Specific Modulus Steel 7.8 1.010 206 0.13 26 Aluminum 2.8 0.461 74 0.17 26 Titanium 4.5 0.942 112 0.21 25 CFRP 2 1.45 1.472 137 1.02 95 CFRP-1.6 1.050 235 0.66 147 2. Good fatigue resistance Fatigue failure of general metal materials is a sudden failure without obvious symptoms, while CFRP has good fatigue resistance, and there are obvious symptoms before failure. Several CFRP frame bikes of the Hebei Mountain Team have visible cracks, but still retain most of their strength, which greatly improves the safety of riding. Reason: The reinforcing fibers are thinner and have fewer defects. The matrix has good plasticity and can inhibit the development of cracks. Of course, because it belongs to cutting-edge materials, technical processes, and quality control, it is still immature and needs to be tested in practice 3. Good damage safety There are tens of thousands of independent fibers on the CFRP cross-section, even if some fibers are broken due to overload, the load will be quickly redistributed to the undamaged fibers so that the component will not completely lose its bearing capacity and break in an instant 4. Strong shock absorption ability (1) CFRP has a large specific modulus, high natural frequency, and is not prone to resonance (2) CFRP is a heterogeneous multiphase system. There are a large number of interfaces between the fiber and the matrix. Since the interface has the effect of reflection and absorption on vibration, CFRP has strong vibration damping and can quickly attenuate vibration. 5. Good high-temperature performance Carbon fiber can withstand a high temperature of about 2000 degrees Celsius without changing its strength. Therefore, the overall temperature resistance of CFRP depends on the epoxy resin used as the matrix. The heat resistance of various grades of epoxy resin is different, and the additives will also produce influences. CFRP frame will have no problem in this respect. 6. Good aging resistance Matrix material Epoxy resin with appropriate additives has excellent anti-aging properties, and the general service life is 20 years. Therefore, the CFRP frame will be mechanically damaged first, so there is no need to worry about its chemical aging 7. Strong designability Fiber composite materials are composed of two or more materials with different properties, and their structure includes fibers, matrix, and interface. All three aspects will affect the performance of CFRP. The fiber in CFRP is carbon fiber, which is used to bear the load, while the matrix is used to protect the fiber laying shape, allow the fiber to bear compression and shear loads, disperse the transmitted load, and protect the fiber.
The travel of a bicycle front fork is how deep the front fork can be pressed, that is, the distance that the front fork travels from fully relaxed to the lowest point of the front fork. Generally speaking, it is the shock absorption effect. Basically, the longer the stroke, the more force it can withstand. Larger, the better the shock absorption effect. It can be said that the up and down the amplitude of the front fork after being impacted. Therefore, bicycle forks are divided into Rigid Forks and Suspension Forks.1. Rigid Fork of a mountain bike, front fork without shock absorption function. Features: lightweight, good hardness, no gaps, more convenient operation, big head angle, low wind resistance, the center of gravity more forward, more direct force. It is suitable for high-speed riding on flat roads and it can also be used on slightly bumpy roads. Flat roads and climbing slopes have advantages, especially the Rigid Fork of carbon fiber. Disadvantages: Not suitable for fast cycling on bumpy roads.2. Mountain bike Suspension Fork refers to the front fork with shock absorption function. Features: Good elasticity, can absorb the vibration brought by the bumpy road to the mountain bike. Suitable for fast cycling on bumpy roads such as potholes or mountain roads. Disadvantages: heavyweight, complicated structure, and expensive.It can be said that each has its own advantages, so it depends on everyone's daily needs to choose to buy.
When it comes to maintenance, each of us will have a strange flower around us. Experienced riders are not excluded!In fact, wrong maintenance methods hurt the bike more than no maintenance!Don't feel guilty! It's not that you are not good at it, but your maintenance method is not good!01. Use the wrong toolEverything you think you need can mess up your bicycle. Many riders think that it's nothing to burn money on the bicycle, but they use the cheese-like hexagonal tool to "fix" the bicycle!A mismatched hex tool can cause damage to your bicycle.You may also want to buy some suitable wire pliers (not vise or garden trimmer)A bottom bracket tool (not a hose wrench)A foot wrench (not an adjusting wrench)A tool for unloading the freewheel and a chain whip (not to fix it on the workbench, this will not only damage the freewheel but of course the workbench)02. The wrong adjustment of the headset will cause a series of bad thingsWe have seen many people think that they can tighten the headset by simply turning the bolt on the cap of the headset.In fact, if you want to tighten the headset to the correct torque value, you must first loosen the bolt on the stem, and then tighten the bolt on the cap of the headset. But do not use too much force!03. Don't understand the limits of one's abilitiesSome questions are left to the technician. Trying to repair the bicycle by yourself is indeed a rewarding experience (even if it is a little bit).Knowing your ability to repair your bicycle clearly-it's always right to find your place!In most cases: If you have questions about repairing a bicycle, let go of your pride and leave the repair to a professional technician. Don't do a "professional" overhaul of the bike before an important race or event. This is likely to cause bitter results for the next day's race.04. Torque is too tightYou may think "Well, it looks like 5Nm", but that obviously won't workIf the screws and bolts on the bicycle are loose, it will obviously cause a lot of problems, but it is also not good to screw them too tightly.If it exceeds the torque value indicated in the figure above, it will cause the thread to slip, or the parts will be tightened too tightly, which will easily crack or break.We suggest you buy a smaller torque wrench for bicycles05. Install tires with a tire leverThe magic is that sometimes it's rainy, sometimes it's cold, and even when you ride somewhere halfway, it will blow out!God help me, I just use a spoon! But please never do this. Instead, you can try to install the bead into the groove in the middle of the tire, and then slowly adjust its position by hand instead of brute force.06. An inappropriate freewheel is installed on the bicycleYou still naively think that you can do it this way. Actually, some people just buy a 10-speed freewheel and install it on a 9-speed bicycle. Naively think this is all right?It is absolutely impossible! Don't think that there is a shortcut because there is no shortcut.How many speeds your derailleur is, and what is the shifting function, these are all preset and each gear change is matched with a corresponding shifting cable, these are not just for you to install more or fewer chains at will The gear teeth can be changed because they are not compatible.07. The cable is worn outWorn cable is something we don't like to see.Route capWhen you squeeze the cable cap, remember not to squeeze it too tightly, or you may break it. The normal bicycle wire pliers are well-controlled at this point. You can use it when making operations, not the kitchen scissors or hedge shears.08. Pull out the inner cableTreat internal cable: be careful!When you find that you accidentally unplug the inner cable from the frame, there should be nothing that scares you more than this!You hope that one day it will magically find its way home-but it is impossible!The correct approach is to extend the cable into a tube a little narrower than the frame tube before pulling out the cable completely, and then putting the tube into the frame so that the cable does not easily fall out.Even the most experienced riders will get confused and feel at a loss! Get a bunch of unsuitable tools and make a bad decision on repairing a bicycle. Without one or two knowledge supplements, the maintenance should be terrible!
Riding a bicycle often encounters headwinds. The wind greatly hinders riding. So how to save effort when riding a bicycle against the wind? What are the techniques for riding a bicycle when headwind or uphill?When cycling on slopes and upwind:What to do if you encounter uphill and headwinds? Our experience is that we should first ride the bike at our original strength and rest several times when we are tired. Do not rest too long each time, just 5-10 minutes.When it is difficult to climb on a steep slope, you can walk along the zigzag line to reduce the slope. Sometimes I can't ride on a steep slope or even the car will back down.Don't be afraid at this time. People on variable-speed bikes can lower the speed and move up slowly. Riders don't have to worry. My experience is to lift the handlebar with both hands so that the legs can be pushed down more forcefully. Move your body's center of gravity forward, and move your feet forward from the pedals. Use the part near your heels to touch the pedals, which makes it easier to exert force. Then press your thighs and calves to pedal directly through the roots of your feet.In this way, with the help of bodyweight and thighs, the force can be directly transmitted to the bicycle pedal through the calf and the root of the foot (using the toes and soles will disperse the force and will also make the soles of the feet fatigue), thereby increasing the pedaling strength, and the bicycle will slowly get on. Po, won't retreat anymore.Of course, cycling is the most tiring in this situation, and everyone has to do what they can. Pay attention to safety when walking uphill in the "Zigzag" shape. The slope is often the steepest at the transition point. Pay attention to passing vehicles. When riding on steep slopes, you should get off the bike and rest for a while before getting on. The elderly and the weak should get off the bike. Climbing a hill is very tiring and requires people's physical strength and perseverance, but it can make bicycle travel more interesting and aftertaste. Once on the top of the hill, you can have a unique enjoyment.Cycling is the biggest headache when encountering headwinds. Although it is difficult to go uphill, the next step is to go downhill, which can be relaxing for a while. Sometimes when headwinds are downhill, it is not easy to ride. At this time, you can lower the handlebar, bend your arms and stay under the handlebars, and lower your head to lower your body's center of gravity to reduce wind resistance.When you lower your head, the field of view is narrowed. Always pay attention to safety, especially when encountering headwinds and headwinds. Be careful and pay attention to passing vehicles, because at this time, whether it is a car coming from the front or behind, especially a large truck, the bicycle will be left and right. Accidents easily occur.Moreover, at this time, due to heavy physical exertion, people are very tired, and their hands and feet are not usually flexible and easy to accidents. I hope that riders must pay attention to safety. Generally speaking, you can ride with a level 6 headwind, and you should consider taking a rest if you have a level 8 headwind.When cycling downhill and downwind:Downhill and downwind are the most comfortable enjoyment in a bicycle trip. At this time, the fatigue of the uphill has already been thrown away. Sometimes it is not necessary to kick a foot, but a few kilometers in a row. However, you must pay special attention to safety when you encounter steep slopes, bends, uneven ground, or the possibility of sudden escaping of vehicles and pedestrians.At this time, the brake should be tightened from the top of the slope, so as not to be caught off guard, at least the brake should be the underside. When encountering a steep slope, even if the road is wide and flat at first glance, be careful. I have encountered two situations.1. There may be small rocks on the road, and you can't see them at first. When you see it, it is too late to avoid it. At this time, the speed is very fast and sharp turns are more dangerous.2. When the bicycle came down the mountain, a crosswind suddenly blew across the mountain. The bicycle was fluttering from side to side at high speed, which was difficult to control. I hope that riders will be alert to this situation. Always check the brake pads. If the brake is defective, adjust or replace the brake pads in time. Don't wait until you fall down to know what you are afraid of. I hope that new riders on the road will not "keep their wisdom after a short period of time".
The biggest challenge of the early tires was how to properly and reliably fix them on the rim. The method of bonding to the rim was very effective in the past, but there is no shortage of other fixing methods, such as hook-shaped rims and wire binding. But these methods are too complicated, and finally evolved to the present, clincher, tubeless, and tube have become the most mainstream form. Nevertheless, the debate on the performance and advantages of different tires is still fierce.The ideal tire:The ideal bicycle tire has lightweight, has good puncture resistance, excellent grip, not too short a life span, is a reasonable price, has low rolling resistance, and comfort. But these are ideals after all. In reality, many elements are mutually exclusive. Under the current technical background, ultra-light tires do not have very good puncture resistance. Therefore, we often have to compromise on one or more performances. The choice depends on our actual needs.Many people regard the tire as a static structure with a single function-a rubber tube, which contains gas, but there are many factors acting on the tire on the road. In fact, the tire is dynamic and constantly changes its shape to adapt to road changes. Wheel angle and rider's weight.It is for this reason that the flexibility of the tire is a precious feature. When the wheel is rolling on the ground, the softer tire is easier to fit and rebound, and its grip, rolling resistance, and overall feel are better.The choice of material largely determines the final weight, softness, and durability of the tire. Lightweight materials are often used to produce high-speed tires with low rolling resistance and soft surfaces, but their puncture resistance is not strong. Easy to wear and expensive. Heavy materials can enhance puncture resistance, wear and cost less, but have higher rolling resistance and decreased comfort. These principles also apply to the clincher, tubeless or tubular tires.Similarity:1. All three types of tires include a braided shell, which covers the air chamber and is covered with a rubber tread.2. Use the same material or manufacturing process.3. The appearance is similar when installed behind the wheel.4. These three tires can be designed specifically for different riding habits, performance, price, and usage scenarios.In contrast, the difference between the three tires becomes simple-how to form and accommodate the air chamber. For tube tires, the air chamber is completely enclosed inside the tire. The open tire needs an inner tube to contain the gas. The tubeless tire itself is an air chamber, but it needs to be matched with a special tubeless rim.To choose a tire, look at the wheel first:Each tire system needs a special rim to match, in other words, the user should choose the tire according to the existing rim. Tube tires cannot be used on clincher wheels. Clincher or tubeless tires cannot be installed on tube tire wheels. Clincher tires can be installed on wheels that support tubeless tires, but inner tubes must be used. Tubeless tires can also be used. It is installed on a standard clincher wheelset, but it can no longer be used as a tubeless tire and can only be used with inner tubes.The design of the tubular tire wheelset is different from the design of the conventional clincher wheelset. On both sides, there is no hook-like sidewall and reinforcement to fix the tire. Therefore, the rim of the tubular tire is always lighter than the same clincher rim and has a concave section. The tubed tire can be properly placed, but the safety of the tube tire depends on the quality of the glue or tape.Tubeless tires are similar to the rims of standard clinchers but are more refined. Both have similar sidewalls (although some tubeless tires have used flat sidewalls without hooks), and the inside of the rim is similar to ridges and ridges. The tubeless tire bead on both sides of the tube is more compact than the clincher, so the airtightness of the tubeless rim and the tire will be significantly higher than the clincher wheelset. These ridges cooperate with the bead of the tubeless tire to form an airtight seal, which also explains why the tubeless tire will hear a snapping sound when it is pumped up. The tubeless tire must also be separated from these ridges when replacing or repairing.For dedicated wheels, it is difficult for users to mix different types of tires, but using suitable rim tape (to seal the rim spoke openings), vacuum nozzles, and sealants, some common open tire wheels can also be used. Tubeless tires were modified to seal the tire pads, and tubeless tires were used instead.Material and structure:Some people believe that one type of tire must be better than another type. However, under the same material, the difference between different tires is very subtle. More differences depend on the material used in the tire. Any light and soft tire can bring smoothness and speed. The riding experience, whether tube or not.The three types of tires have the same type of material to form the tire casing and tread. Nylon is often used to weave the casing, rubber is commonly used in the tread, and others such as Kevlar, bulletproof fiber Vectran, and graphene. Or cotton and silk are only used as reinforcement, not completely replaced.The casing is woven by threads. The finer the thread, the more the number of threads. The unit of measurement is the number of threads per inch, which is the so-called TPI. Fine tires can reach up to 320tpi. The low line count is lighter and more supportive.Bicycle tires use a lot of rubber to improve the overall feel of the tire. For most tires, the tread is vulcanized by heating, adding a curing agent, and fused with the tire, but this will harden the tire, and soft tires are often glued. The rubber is fixed to the casing by the agent. The hand-made tubular tires and the so-called "open tubular tires" (used in clincher wheels, tubular tires with bead) are to avoid vulcanization as much as possible to ensure the flexibility of the tire.For the tire tread, there is no intuitive evidence that the tread pattern will directly and greatly affect the grip (limited to road vehicles), and more importantly, the user's air pressure.Impact resistance:No matter what kind of tire, more or less anti-puncture materials are used, depending on whether the final weight of the tire is important. However, puncture-resistant materials will make the tires harder, and bumpier, and increase road resistance. Therefore, they will be used with caution in competition tires. In contrast, strong and heavy commuter tires use a lot of Anti-puncture material and have greater impact resistance.There is no such thing as a car's explosion-proof tire on a bicycle. Of the three tires, tubeless tires undoubtedly have advantages here. This kind of tire is resistant to squeezing and pressure. The repair fluid in the tubeless tire can automatically repair minor cracks, but the sidewall has a large cut. It will still damage the sealant and cause the tire to leak.Tubeless tires are very beneficial for off-road riders, because tubeless tires can be used at an air pressure of less than 40psi or less than 3bar, and can increase extra grip and traction, but for road bike riders, this advantage is not What's the big use, it is the lack of tube tires and opens inner tube structure, which slightly reduces the friction between tires. Users of Adventure or Gravel Bike may prefer tubeless tires, but tubeless tires are not a prerequisite for on-road and off-road.Larger size tires have larger air chambers (air intake), which can allow lower air pressure and obtain the same degree of expansion without having to enter too high air pressure, so it can also increase the comfort of the bicycle.Installation, maintenance, and repair:For most ordinary riders who do not have logistical services, choosing any tire system is simply inconvenient for later maintenance. In this regard, ordinary clinchers have great advantages. The tube tire installation process requires a certain amount of man-hours and a certain amount of experience, which is a difficult task for beginners, although the tube tire double-sided tape has simplified the entire process. After the tube tire ruptures, the repair liquid filled in can be used for short-term remediation, but some repairs can not be applied to high pressure, so it is not as practical as replacing the new tube tire.Installing a tubeless tire for the first time is also challenging. The rim must be kept sealed, the vacuum nozzle must be installed correctly, and enough sealant must be added to the tire. Although it is possible to use an air pump to inflate the tubeless tire, an air compressor with a larger instantaneous air intake is a better choice.After installation, the tubeless tire promises a longer maintenance interval, but the wear of the tire cannot be ignored. The sealant will slowly dry over time. When the repair fluid or sealant is dried, the perforation of the tire will not be repaired, so The sealant needs to be added every few months.The perforated tubeless tire casing can be repaired using conventional repair methods, but the inner wall of the casing with the sealant is very smooth, and the adhesive and the tubeless tire repair fluid will interact.Cost and product line:As the main tire system, there are many open tires on the market for consumers to choose from. There are various handmade tires on the high-end market. The lightweight folding tires are suitable for competition and training. On the other hand, sturdy steel tires are cheap enough and suitable for commuting. , In short, clinchers of all prices can be found.Expanding to the inner tube of the open tire, we can find several kinds of standard butyl inner tubes, puncture-proof inner tubes, lightweight butyl inner tubes, and latex inner tubes on the market. The difference between them is often very small, and the weight, road feel, and stab resistance are not What is the amazing gap?Tubeless tires are a relatively new product, so there are not as many options as clincher tires, and these tires are usually more expensive.Tubular tires are often expensive, but there are also less expensive training-grade tubular tires on the market to reduce weight and increase comfort. Unfortunately, a tire puncture may end the life of the tubular tire, so the ongoing cost of maintaining a set of tubular tire wheels may be high.Tubular tires: It has long been recognized as the golden choice for competition-level road bikes. Tubular tires are widely used by professional riders. However, because of the difficulty and time-consuming installation and maintenance, tubular tires have only limited appeal to ordinary riders. However, tubular tires can provide the greatest weight savings.Purpose: race, training, cross-country, long-distanceAdvantages: lightweight, matched wheels are also very lightweight, and more resistant to "snake bites" compared to clinchers.Disadvantages: Installation is more difficult, and it cannot be quickly repaired by the roadside. Tubular tire repair technology can be called "world cultural heritage" (true and manual stitching).Need accessories: special tube tire wheelset, tube tire glue, or tube tire double-sided adhesiveMaintenance: Need to check the tire tread wear and check the adhesion of the tire to the wheelCost: Above average, although it is possible to buy tube tires at their early cost of 60usd, the double-sided tape required adds additional costs. Users should spend time learning to install them on their own to save costs.Clincher tires: Clincher tires are not as popular as the other two types of tires. Clincher tires are everywhere, and the ease of use in the tire system is far superior to other competitors.Purpose: race, training, cross country, commuting, long-distance.Advantages: simple installation, convenient disassembly, everywhere, many products.Disadvantages: low pressure is easy to "snake bite", steel wire tires increase weight, hook-shaped bead increases the overall weightNeed accessories: clincher wheelset, tire pad, inner tubeMaintenance: detection of tread wear and foreign matterCost: From high to low, consumers will face a huge product range, ranging from 30 USD to 100 USD. The inner tube is relatively cheap, but it is a continuous cost.Tubeless tires: As a new product in the market, tubeless tires are favored by off-road enthusiasts because of their excellent puncture resistance. There may not be many tubeless tires for roads, but these products have made great progress.Purpose: race, training, cross country, commuting, long-distanceAdvantages: Excellent puncture resistance, low tire pressure can be used, and repair fluid provides additional puncture resistance.Insufficiency: Installation requires technology, product types are limited, and maintenance is rather chaotic (mending fluid overflows)Need accessories: Tubeless tire wheelset, tire pad, tubeless tire valve, repair fluid sealant, compressed airMaintenance: Detect the tread wear and replenish the repair fluid for a few monthsCost: Medium to high. Tubeless tires are often more expensive than clinchers. Tire pads and air nozzles can be regarded as one-time costs, but the repair fluid will be a long-term cost, requiring considerable time for maintenance and some equipment. For example, compressed air tanks or air compressors.How to decide which tire system to use:From the above discussion, it is not difficult to find that each tire system has its advantages and disadvantages. In general, high-end clinchers (cotton tube structure) and tubeless tires have been able to achieve or even exceed the performance of tubular tires. For truly lightweight users, tubular tires are the best choice. For most riders, the easy-to-maintain clincher has obvious advantages. However, the choice of tires is sometimes not completely arbitrary, depending on what the existing wheels can be used. After all, the cost of changing wheels is much greater than the cost of changing tires.
The first is the problem of brake fluid. If different brands use different brake fluids, the seals used will be quite different. For example, the brakes using DOT oil and the brakes using mineral oil are different in the selection of seals. There is a big difference because the DOT requires a stronger corrosion resistance of the seal.The second reason is the hydraulic ratio. if the piston area of your brake lever is fixed, then if the piston area of the caliper you replace is larger, you must consider whether the capacity of your brake lever piston can drive a larger caliper.For example, if the brake lever corresponds to a two-piston caliper, replacing the four-piston caliper with a larger diameter and area at this time may cause the problem of excessive stroke. The reverse is also the same. If the caliper area used is smaller, the brake lever stroke may be too short. This will directly affect the linear performance and braking strength of the brake design.
