Your tire choice for any type of bike will make a massive difference in how it handles. Hybrid bikes are generally used for commuting and getting around, and they are very rarely ridden on terrain that is considered to be taxing.
Because of this, hybrid bike riders tend just to fit their bikes with low-cost tires without much thought. But choosing a decent pair of tires will improve your bike’s handling, grip and increase your safety.
Therefore, in this post, we will go through what to look out for and give you some great examples of hybrid bike tires.
Recommended Hybrid Bike Tires
We have put together a list of our favorite hybrid bike tires. We chose these tires on how well they perform, value for money and versatility. All of these tires are from well known and established brands, which gives you peace of mind that you have some decent rubber between you and the road.
Schwinn Hybrid Kevlar
This hybrid bike tire has a built-in puncture-resistant layer. This means you don’t have to worry so much about getting a flat tire when riding. The tire tread pattern makes it versatile enough for riding on paved roads and for light off-road use.
The Schwinn Kevlar Hybrid tire has steel beads, which adds to the weight, but it makes the tire very durable while keeping the price down.
This tire suits a 27.5″ diameter wheel, 1.5″ wide. People who ride with this tire love the fact you can ride it on multiple surface types and its excellent durability. However, the steel beads can sometimes make it a little tricky to get on to the wheel.
Kenda Tires Kwest Commuter
If you use your bike for commuting or mainly ride on smooth roads, the Kenda Tires Kwest Commuter is an excellent option.
The tread pattern is smooth and rounded, featuring excellent water dispersion properties.
These are all characteristics you should look for in a tire built for riding around town.
This tire is suitable for 27.5″ diameter wheels, 1″ wide, and actually improves how your bike looks while providing excellent grip on smooth surfaces.
Kenda Tires K838 Commuter/Cruiser/Hybrid Bicycle Tires
The K838 are well known to be a good allrounder. You can use these tires for commuting, road riding, and light off-road use.
They have very low rolling resistance, making your pedaling more efficient while allowing you to ride much faster with less effort.
The tread pattern is cleverly designed to give you lots of grip on a variety of surfaces. You also get increased traction in the wet, thanks to the grooves located on the tire’s smooth edges that draw water away.
If you want a rugged 26” tire that provides grip in wet and dry conditions on various surfaces, the K838 is an excellent option.
SCHWALBE Marathon Supreme HS 469 SpeedGuard
The Schwalbe Marathon Supreme HS469 Speedguard is another well-known tire from a reputable brand. This 26″ tire is a very lightweight tire designed for long rides.
To give you peace of mind, this tire features the HD Speedguard puncture protection system. You will love the grip this tire gives you in a range of conditions and on different surfaces.
The grip comes courtesy of Schwalbe’s OneStar compound and the versatile tread pattern, which is similar to a touring tire.
This means not only do you get excellent grip, but also a smooth ride with low rolling resistance.
Panaracer Tour Tire with Wire Bead
If you want a road tire that performs well in all manner of weather conditions, the Panaracer Tour is an excellent choice. Panaracer is a well-established brand, and their experience and expertise have been transferred into this superb tire.
This tire is very resistant to punctures thanks to its bead-to-bead nylon puncture protection system and 5mm rubber casing. The compound of these tires makes them very long-lasting, too, so they will save you hassle and money in the long term.
Many riders love the grip this tire gives them, as the tread pattern works exceptionally well in all weather types. The side walls are also reflective, making you more visible when riding in low light conditions.
The Panaracer Tour is an ideal option for riders that commute all year round and want confidence in their tire’s performance.
Top Tips For Buying Hybrid Bike tires
The tires above are all excellent options, but it is always wise to know what you are buying. Here are some things you should consider when buying your next set of hybrid bike tires.
Your Budget
The first thing you need to consider is how much you want to spend on your tires. As with anything in life, you get what you pay for, so cheaper tires won’t be as high quality as more expensive ones.
Cheap tires won’t grip as well and will be more susceptible to punctures, and will be less safe. You will probably notice that they wear out much more quickly, too, compromising their effectiveness in wet weather.
You really shouldn’t scrimp on tires. They are not really that expensive, and a good set will make a huge difference to your riding experience. You will be able to shod your wheels very well by choosing one of the examples above.
Your Local Terrain
Is your commute only on paved tarmac, or does it consist of a mix of road and dirt track? There are tires that work well on different surfaces, so you should fit your bike with the right ones for your regular ride. There are a few characteristics that determine what is best for you.
Tread Pattern
When you start researching hybrid tires, you will notice that there are many different tread patterns to choose from, all for a specific use. Hybrid tires are primarily designed to have a low rolling resistance, so they are efficient to ride on paved roads and dirt tracks.
You will notice that the tread pattern on a hybrid tire has a smooth strip running along the center, while the outer part has textured lugs. This texture is to give you lots of grip in the corners and control on multiple surface types.
The most common feature of hybrid bike tire tread is that it is directional. This is where lateral grooves are arranged in a V shape which improves grip and channels water when riding in wet conditions.
Compound
Most tire manufacturers make their tires from rubber, but occasionally they use other materials or different rubber compounds. Often tires will be made from a mixture of compounds to determine their handing characteristics, how much grip they produce, durability and rolling resistance.
The best tires will have a composition that allows them to perform well on a range of surfaces in a variety of conditions.
Tire Width
Hybrid bike tires are much wider than traditional road bike tires. They usually measure 1.38 to 1.77 inches (35 to 45 millimeters) wide. Wider tires give you more grip and allow you to run lower tire pressures.
This creates a more comfortable ride and enhances grip, thanks to a wider contact patch with the ground. But before you buy extra-wide tires, make sure your frame size, fork, and brakes are compatible with them.
Tubed Or Tubeless?
Traditional tires have an inner tube that you inflate, but you can also buy tubeless tires. Tubeless tires don’t have this; instead, the tire fits much tighter and uses a special valve, rim tape (to create a seal), and a liquid tire sealant.
When you get a puncture, the sealant fills the hole as you ride; this means that you don’t know you have even had a puncture most of the time.
The improved puncture resistance allows you to run your tire pressures even lower, giving you more traction and comfort. But, you need to be aware that if you get a significant slice in the tire’s sidewall, the sealant will not be able to do its job.
However, traditional tubed tires are much cheaper and are more readily available. Some people complain that tubeless tires are messy and complicated to set up. It isn’t that bad, and it isn’t something you have to do very often.
Wire Bead Or Folding Tires?
Wire bead tires have two steel wires running around their edges to keep them in place when inflated.
The steel wires on cheaper wire bead tires are often made of steel, which increases their weight. More expensive wire bead tires replace the steel wires with more flexible and durable Kevlar or synthetic alternatives. These tires are called “folding bead tires” due to their pliable characteristics.
Folding bead tires are much easier to fit onto your wheels and are lighter. When you have a folding tire with a soft tread, you will be able to ride faster without losing grip.
If you are on a budget and performance and weight-saving aren’t a priority for you, wire bead hybrid tires are the best option.
If your priority is affordability over performance or saving weight, choose wire bead hybrid tires. However, if you don’t mind spending a little more, folding hybrid tires are much better in terms of their performance.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a few things to think about when you replace your hybrid bike tires. However, with these tips and recommendations, you will be able to choose the best tires to suit your ride and your bike.
Tom Fortune has been reviewing cycling products for several years from his home in the French Alps. As the owner of mtb-threads.com, he mainly reviews mountain bike products but also reviews road cycling products independently.
