What is a balloon bicycle tires?

A balloon tire is a type of wide, large-volume, low-pressure tire that first appeared on cruiser bicycles in the US in the 1930s. They are typically 2 to 2.5 inches (51 to 64 mm) wide.

Why do bicycles have inflatable Tyres?

Why do I need to pump up my bike tyres? Pneumatic tyres were invented to get over the bone-jarring ‘ride-quality’ of solid wheels. The air inside acts as a spring, providing suspension for you and allowing the tyre to conform to the terrain providing better traction and grip.

What is a balloon TYRE?

Definition of balloon tire : a flexible low-pressure pneumatic tire with a large cross section designed to provide cushioning.

What are balloon tires used for?

a broad tire filled with air at low pressure for cushioning the shock of uneven surfaces: used on road vehicles such as bicycles and early automobiles.

What PSI should my bike tires be at?

Narrower tires need more air pressure than widespread ones, with road tires needing about 80 to 140 psi (pounds per square inch) and hybrid tires needing 50 to 70 psi. You can also use a bike tire pressure chart to find your idyllic tire pressure for your bike.

What are stretched Tyres?

Due to the tyre being stretched the tyre is no longer correctly seated on the wheel rim. In this example, the wheel rim and tyre are incompatible and there is a clear gap between the tyre bead and the wheel rim because the tyre is over-stretched.

Does bike tire pressure affect speed?

This used to be one of the first things you learned as a cyclist: If you want to go fast, make sure your tires are pumped up to the maximum pressure. The harder your tires are inflated, the faster they roll. We now know that this is not true.

Are stretched tyres illegal UK?

Regulations say that “a tyre should not be used on a road if it’s not maintained in such condition as to be fit for the use to which the vehicle is being put”. The DVSA say this means tyres must be fitted on suitable wheels with suitable valves, giving technicians a reason to fail stretched tyres.