Tires are one of the most important components for any type of bicycle and different tires can significantly impact the overall ride. Types of surfaces to be ridden, the difficulty of the terrain and the desired versatility of the bike are just a few of the many factors that contribute to the decision. Tire selection for mountain bikes in particular requires careful consideration since the best type of tread for certain terrain can vary greatly.
Slicks
Slick tires appear quite similar to smooth, thin road tires that lack pronounced tread or knobs. These tires have only patterned grooves for their tread and are a bit wider than actual road tires. Mountain bikes that utilize slicks will perform well on asphalt-like surfaces such as smooth rock and hard-packed clay. While the smooth tread gives slick tires great acceleration, they lack the traction capabilities and versatility of other tires and are not a great choice for typical dirt trail riding.
Semi-Slicks
Semi-slicks have a smooth center like a normal slick but feature pronounced tread on both sides of the tire. The side-tread grants increased traction, especially when cornering, and makes them more versatile without compromising much acceleration. Semi-slicks make a good choice for hybrid bikes or for those wishing to ride on pavement and hard-packed trails intermittently.
Inverted Tread
Inverted tread tires function similar to semi-slicks in their hybrid capabilities but appear much different. Whereas normal tread usually consists of pronounced knobs, inverted tread appears to be a slick tire with a patterned cut-out all along the center and sides of the tire. These tires feature slightly better all-around traction but also a bit less acceleration than semi-slicks.
Knobbies
These are the most common type of mountain biking tires and can vary significantly in tread and tire width. As such, different types of knobbies are utilized for different terrain and riding conditions. Generally, smaller or less pronounced knobs perform better on harder packed trails while larger knobs offer superior traction in muddy conditions and on technical terrain. Another consideration is whether the tire has specific front or rear wheel tread. Front wheel tread increases front end traction during corners while rear wheel tread grants increased power and control to the back wheel. For knobbies, tires with wider-spaced tread and larger knobs offer the most versatility in difficult terrain.
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