Tires: The Heart and Soul of Bikes

For those of you guys that enjoy your time exploring the world on your bike, take a moment to reflect what is it that you love about this activity and how it acts as a metaphor for the man you can be.

Tires are one of the most important parts of a bike and like the tire, you will often experience new terrains and obstacles in your life as a grown man. The efficiency and durability of your bike are dependent on the bike’s tires.

When you are buying a bike, one of the first things you should take notice of is the tires. After all, without tires the bike won’t move, just like you are the tires of your own life and it’s up to you to continue to act in a way that allows you to reach your goals. It is very important to choose the right quality tires for your bike so let’s start with the basics. Here are some helpful tips that you should keep in mind when purchasing bike tires:

• Determine your needs: Are you a bike enthusiast who loves mountain biking? A thrill-seeker who loves riding on rough surfaces? Or a leisure biker who wants comfort and durability?
• Size, shape, and weight of the tire: Slim tires are usually great for speed. So if you are a racer, this is a no-brainer. Similarly, the width also plays an important role in the functionality of the bike. Keep in mind, weight, especially if you are a racer.
• Lastly, durability really does matter. Select tires that will last for a long time, fit your needs and won’t break your wallet.

As you can see by the different types of tires, there is a multitude of different types of people, all who were made and designed for a specific reason. Some were built to be able to endure rough experiences, some built for a smooth and care-free ride, and others built to seek a thrilling adventure. Nevertheless, although all men are made differently, we are still made with the same purpose and that is to strive for the path that lies ahead.

Tubular or Clincher Tires

Tubular tires tend to be much lighter than clinchers, some weighing in at a mere 1,320g. These are also a bit trickier to fix if there is a mid-ride repair needed, especially for more inexperienced riders. This might also be a concern if you get a flat during a race.

Repairs can also be costly, as some riders just opt to discard the tubular entirely since it is so time-consuming to fix. Clincher tires are more versatile, making them a great option for most riders. Mid-ride repairs are much easier with a set of these. Clinchers also offer greater variety and pricing.

Depending on your needs and budget, you should consider your needs carefully and experiment with both types to find out with which you feel the most comfortable with. A good set can be costly, so making the right choice can save you quite a bit in the long run.

It can also help you prevent an injury. A Denver personal injury attorney website states that: “Catastrophic injuries are severe physical injuries that require extensive medical treatment and are often long lasting or permanent in nature. These injuries may result from any kind of accident and may affect all body systems.”

Maintaining Bike Tires

The most common problem which affects the durability of a tire is a puncture. Keeping the air pressure at the right levels is essential. Make sure to always know the right psi for your type of tire. Also keep in mind that about 10 psi leak out per month imperceptibly by the inner tube. The air pressures are also important to maintain balance while riding. Harder tires offer more speed, while softer tires offer more traction. You should also wash the tires regularly and inspect them for tears and cracks.

Checking for any dirt, nails, or other debris is also a good idea to avoid puncture. The axle and bearings must be adjusted properly for the free movement of the wheel. Maintaining a bike tire is both a cheap and easy thing to do in comparison to purchasing a brand new tire set due to neglect.

You’re Your Own Tire

Every man is faced with new opportunity and opportunity can also be the result of some rocky pathways. Like the tire, you must continue to move forward to experience new lands, new soil, and new experiences which are how the bike is capable of enduring every path that is crossed. As a young man, you will experience life with new thread and sustainability; however, the paths are sure to sometimes force you to become weathered, beaten, and worn.

Although this may be true, you must carry on and be sure to condition yourself in order to achieve your destination. As there are different tires that were designed for specific terrains, you are sure to experience a land in which you were not made for, but this doesn’t mean that you will not prevail.

Remember it’s not all about the arrival, but the road you took to get there. No matter the obstacles you may be faced with, life is full of open paths and happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of thinking. Paths were meant to be rough, smooth, rocky, and sometimes hard to gain traction and this is what life is all about.

As a man, you never seize to better yourself, you have to remember what every path is mean to make you tougher and although you may feel weathered, keep in mind that is your life experiences letting you know that you made it and you will continue to push forward to new paths with the experiences that you’ve encountered.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination so be sure to continue to appreciate terrains that you’re not accustomed to, even though you may not initially have been built for it, you’ve made it this far.