How to Choose BMX Tires

BMX bikes were originally designed to be used mostly for off-street riding. Even if you don't plan to race, BMX bikes can be used both on the road and in rough terrain. They work well on dirt, gravel and sand. Since a BMX bike needs to withstand rough conditions, it require tires with extra traction. Thus, BMX tires are usually wider than traditional bicycle tires.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the wheels of your BMX bike. Traditional BMX bikes have 20-inch wheels. Some rare BMX cruisers have larger, 24-inch wheels. Be sure to purchase new BMX tires in the wheel size intended for your bike. Measure first and don't assume your bike has the standard 20-inch wheels.

    • 2

      Measure the width of your wheel rims. Place the measuring tape across the top of the wheel with the tire off the rim so you measure the distance from one side of the bike to the other. This should only be a few inches. Write down this number and bring it with you when looking for BMX tires. BMX rims typically measure between 1 1/2 and 1 3/4 inches, according to Bicycle Garage Indy.

    • 3

      Purchase BMX clincher tires. As opposed to tubular tires, clincher tires have an inner tube that is completely separate from the rest of the tire. BMX bikes should always use clincher tires, according to Dick's Sporting Goods.

    • 4

      Look for BMX tires with a knobby tread. These allow you to ride through dirt and loose gravel easier than a smoother tread. The knobs dig into the dirt and lessen the chance of slippage.

    • 5

      Purchase tightly-spaced tire treads if you plan to use your BMX bike in mostly dry conditions. The tightly spaced, knobby BMX tires work best on dry dirt. Choose a widely spaced tire tread instead if you spend most of your BMX time riding in wet conditions with mud and damp grass.