Folding tyres are lightweight, flexible, and designed for cyclists who value performance and portability. In this guide, we explain how folding tyres work, their benefits, and whether they’re worth the investment for your bike setup — from touring adventures to everyday commutes.
A folding tyre is specific to the world of cycling and refers to a type of tyre which is designed to facilitate easy packing and transportation.
While not suitable for all cycling or for all terrains and surfaces, there are indisputable benefits to folding tyres which enable them to be carried around with ease and convenience. They provide peace of mind, and a quick solution should you get a puncture while cycling; not to mention, they’re much lighter and so can, in some instances, optimise performance.
Keep reading for more information on folding tyres, and whether they could be a good solution for you.
What is a Folding Tyre – and How Does it Work?
A folding tyre has the look of a deflated tyre. It’s essentially the rubber shell of a replacement tyre, that can be fixed to the bike wheel and inflated if required.
Of course, you might be reading this and wondering how a foldable tyre can possibly be sturdy and durable enough to withstand life on the road or a cycle track. It all comes down to the construction of the tyre and how it is made.
Folding tyres are made using Kevlar strands, which optimise their flexibility and ability to be folded down into neat packages. The rubber compound is equally malleable while also presenting a lightweight and portable finish – all of which ensures these tyres can be easily carried around and used when needed.
Benefits of Folding Tyres
The undeniable benefit of a folding tyre is the ability to carry the spare around with ease – in your cycling pack or repair kit.
Originally designed for touring bikes and cyclists, the underlying need of a folding tyre has long been to keep cyclists on the road even following an extensive puncture or damage to the tyre.
But contrary to popular belief, the convenience and design of folding tyres does not come at the detriment to their quality design. Rather, folding tyres tend to offer better traction than standard road tyres and are made from lighter materials which can improve performance and speed.
While the flexible nature of the materials used means that these tyres may not last as long as sturdy road tyres, the portability, versatility, and flex in their design means that they are incredibly well suited to the needs of many cyclists.
