This article was produced in partnership with Chain Reaction Cycles
We all know that riding in winter has its own particular set of challenges. Keep warm and dry is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but to get the most out of your riding in the muddy and wet months you should really think about switching your tyres to make sure they are up to the job.
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Why would I want to change tyres anyway?
There’s one simple reason for this: grip. Unless you’re lucky enough to live somewhere balmy and dry year-round, there inevitably comes a time when your previously dry and dusty trails get a soaking in rain or snow and ice. While fast-rolling, lightly treaded summer tyres give great grip in the dry, they start to fall down in the wet as they can’t dig down through mud and slop. Happily there are plenty of options out there that’ll help you find traction, no matter what the conditions or your riding style.
So what should I look for in a winter tyre?
There are tyres to suit a huge range of conditions, but there are a few key features to bear in mind.
Compound
Just as in summer tyres, having the correct rubber compound is crucial to performance. The compound dictates how hard the rubber is and it’s measured as a durometer. A very soft compound tyre would have a durometer of around 40a, which would give you masses of traction even in very wet conditions. As rubber gets harder as it gets colder, so a soft-compound tyre will retain more grip even when it’s freezing outside.
Tread
Width
Casing
Best snow and ice tyre
Best tyres for mixed, wet and muddy terrain
Best tyres for soggy, muddy trails
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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