Can You Put Mountain Bike Tires On Your Touring Bike?

My friend, Alex has a mountain bike. But unfortunately, a few days ago his bike’s gear, chainring, and many other parts have been totally damaged due to a cycling occurrence. But the MTB tires are good as he replaced the tire a few months ago. So, he wants to put his mountain bike tire on a touring bike that he belonged to. Because he is convinced and thinks that it is possible. And here, I have discussed whether can you put mountain bike tires on your touring bike. To know whether it is possible or not, read this article carefully.

Types Of Tires

There are mainly three types of tires. Different tires have different structures and characteristics. Let’s know briefly about the types of tires.

• Clincher Tire: A clincher tire is like a cover. It acts as a cover over the rim and it has an air-filled tube inside. It’s a traditional tire.
• Tubular Tire: A tubular tire doesn’t have any separate tire. Instead, tubular tires have a tube attached to the inside of the tire that holds the air. Then the round tire is attached to the rim with glue.
• Tubeless Tire: Tubeless tire looks like a tube-based clincher tire. It is difficult to distinguish between clincher and tubeless tires when there is no air in the tire. But tubeless tires have no tube. To set a tubeless tire at first the rim is well wrapped with tape, then the valve is installed on the rim. Finally, the tubeless tire is attached to the rim and sealed.

Touring Bike Tire and Its Features

Touring bikes are used in long-distance riding. So the rider carries luggage, food, a tent, and other necessary elements at the time of touring. That means it carries heavy weight. So, its tire and other parts have to be strong to bear extra load.

A touring bike tire is a particular tire that is used on a touring bike. It is very popular for long-distance riding.

• It is durable, well-performed, balanced, and suitable.
• It is wide, which means its rim is also wide.
• Rim is a circular ring attached to the spokes that hold the tube and tire.
• The width of the touring tire is around 2.5’’. It has a lot of clearance.
• This tire can run in any season on any road such as wet, dry, sand, or mountain, and provide high speed. Because of its smooth riding quality, many cyclists prefer this tire for long-distance riding.

Mountain Bike Tire and It’s Features

A mountain bike is a type of bicycle that is made for off-road cycling. At the time of off-road cycling, it has to face unpaved, rough terrain, air resistance, rolling resistance, and many other obstacles. That’s why its tire is designed for performing well in rough terrain as it can face rocks, piles, and others.

So, the MTB tire is durable, complex, and knobby in-built.

• The huge, wide, and knobby characteristics of mountain bike tires provide comfortable and safe riding.
• It is available in different sizes 26, 27.5, and 29 inches.
• The width of the tire defines the speed and performance and higher width indicates higher speed and great efficiency. The width of MTB tires is 2.25 to 3’’.

Difference Between Touring Bike Tire And Mountain Bike Tire

The tire is an important element of a bicycle. The tire selection mainly depends on the road and the purpose of the bike. That’s why different bikes have different types of tires.

Let’s see the difference between a touring bike tire and a mountain bike tire.

So Can You Put Mountain Bike Tires on Your Touring Bike?

Yes! You can. The main issue is clearance. If your touring bike has enough space between the chainstay and fork, then you can put a mountain bike tire on it.

• You have known that the touring bike tire width is 2.5″ and the mountain bike tire width is 2.25 to 3″. So, in many cases, it is possible to put mountain bike tyres on the touring bike.
• Mountain bike has various wheel sizes like 26″, and 650b. On the contrary, touring bikes are generally available in 700c wheel size. You can use 650b-wheel tires on a touring bike.

But sometimes, the tire replacement one to another type of bicycle might not work properly. Because MTB tires are made for rough terrain and provide slow rides. On the contrary, touring tires are made for various terrain. They provide moderate speed. So, you can’t get the same speed and comfortable ride, if you put mountain bike tires on the touring bike.

Besides, the other components of a bike chainset, cassettes, brake, and frame match with the tire. If you put different types of tires in a different bike, It will be a bad combination and will not work properly.

Therefore, it is better to use a particular tire on a particular bike.

Are Thicker Tires Ride Better?

It depends.

• A thicker tire is lighter, and it provides fast riding. It is more aerodynamic. But if you press hard on a thicker tire, it will penetrate on soft ground. Besides, it is lower rolling resistance and lower wind resistance.
• On the contrary, a wider tire is heavier and provides slow speed. It does not sink into the ground when pressed hard but floats. Besides, a wider tire is higher rolling resistance and higher wind resistance.

So, which is better depends on the circumstances. Of course, thicker tire rides better but in particular circumstance.

Well Then, Can I Use A Mountain Bike As Touring Bike?

Yes! You can use a mountain bike as a touring bike. Though mountain bike is used for hilly road, you can use them on flat road too. It is strong and durable but using this as a touring cycle, you have to do some modifications in the tire, handlebar, saddle, and other places.

To Conclude

You can put an MTB tyre on a touring bicycle. At the time of putting the mountain bike tire on the touring bike, you must check that is there enough clearance or not. If there is no clearance, then you cannot put it.

Although you can put a mountain bike tyre on a touring bike, it wouldn’t provide the best ride. Because different tires are made for different purposes. Only tire changing can’t bring a good solution. To get better and more comfortable riding, you need to do a huge modification. Nevertheless, it is possible to put mountain bike tyres on the touring bike, but I recommend not doing this if you are not in such terrible condition.