Mountain bike tires are measured in inches, not in millimeters like road bike tires. Each mountain bike rim size can vary from manufacturer to manufacture, making it necessary to measure the empty rims of your mountain bike to obtain the proper diameter and width. Mountain bike tire widths vary from 1.8 to 3 inches. Speak to the bicycle shop associate for the best width for your type of riding, since some rims can hold a wider tire.
Step 1
Measure the distance between the two flanges on the interior of the rim to get the measurement for the mountain bike tire width.
Step 2
Multiply the rim width by 2.
Step 3
Measure from one side of the wheel to the other to obtain the diameter of the wheel or wrap the tape measure around the circumference of the rim and divide by 2.
Step 4
Write down the diameter and doubled rim width to give to a bicycle shop associate. For example, if the diameter is 26 inches and the rim width is 1 inch, you would write down 26 x 2 (since the rim width is doubled).
Step 5
Purchase a tire that meets the specs given to the associate.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
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