Two Tires, Carrying Everything
A road bike tire has a contact patch only about 2-3 cm wide, yet it must bear your entire body weight, your pedaling force, and braking friction. Choosing the right tire and taking care of it is a basic skill every cyclist should master.
Choosing Tire Width
The trend in recent years has been toward wider tires:
| Width |
Best For |
Characteristics |
| 23mm |
Old-school road |
Lowest rolling resistance but least comfortable |
| 25mm |
Traditional road |
The old mainstream |
| 28mm |
Modern road |
Current mainstream, best overall balance |
| 30-32mm |
All-around road/light gravel |
High comfort |
| 35-45mm |
Gravel |
Suited to gravel roads |
Tire Types
| Type |
Description |
Best For |
| Clincher |
Most common, uses an inner tube |
General use |
| Tubeless |
No inner tube, sealed with sealant |
Low tire pressure and puncture resistance |
| Tubular |
Tire and tube bonded together, glued to the rim |
Racing |
Tire Lifespan
| Usage |
Rear Tire Life |
Front Tire Life |
| Training |
3,000-5,000 km |
5,000-8,000 km |
| Racing |
1,000-2,000 km |
2,000-3,000 km |
| Commuting |
5,000-8,000 km |
8,000-12,000 km |
The rear tire wears about 1.5-2 times faster than the front, since the rear wheel bears more weight and transmits drive force.
Signs Your Tire Needs Replacing
| Sign |
Severity |
| Wear indicator has disappeared |
⚠️ Time to replace |
| Multiple cuts on the tread |
⚠️ Time to replace |
| Casing fabric is visible |
🔴 Replace immediately |
| Bulge or deformation on the sidewall |
🔴 Replace immediately |
| Frequent flats |
⚠️ Casing may be fatigued |
Tips to Extend Tire Lifespan
- Maintain correct tire pressure: Underinflation accelerates sidewall wear
- Avoid locking up the brakes: Skidding wears a flat spot into the tread
- Rotate front and rear: Swap front and rear tires every 2,000 km for even wear
- Inspect after every ride: Pick out embedded gravel and glass shards
- Store properly: Store inflated and out of direct sunlight
Tire Recommendations for Taiwan’s Road Surfaces
| Surface Type |
Recommendation |
| Urban asphalt |
28mm, commuter tires with thick puncture protection |
| Riverside bike paths |
28mm, low rolling resistance training tires |
| Mountain roads |
25-28mm, racing tires with strong grip |
| Gravel sections |
32mm+, tires with a fine-particle tread pattern |
Popular Brand Recommendations
| Brand |
Flagship Product |
Characteristics |
| Continental |
GP 5000 (S TR) |
All-around king |
| Vittoria |
Corsa Pro |
Exceptional grip |
| Michelin |
Power Road |
Great value for money |
| Pirelli |
P Zero Race |
F1-derived technology |
| Schwalbe |
Pro One |
One of the top tubeless choices |
| Maxxis |
High Road |
Taiwanese brand, consistent quality |
A good pair of tires may cost only 2-3% of the total price of your bike, but their impact on ride quality can be as high as 30%. This is one of the best-value upgrades you can make.