EB17: Terrene adds affordable studded Cake Eater fat bike tire, Onza takes Gwin to enduro

Thanks for the comments guys – this is a really common point of discussion, with the high price of bicycle tires.

Low Volume is definately one of the reasons for higher cost in bicycle tires, but there are a few other variables that I feel are more important.

First and foremost, with a human-powered vehicle, we desire low weights in our bikes so that they are enjoyable to ride. So, most tires are of a pretty high-end construction for bicycles, when considered against all tires on all vehicles out there. For instance, a car tire that is being referred to typically has a wire bead and heavy, thick casing. These are required for automobiles, but also easier to make. So to compare a car tire to a bike tire, you need to compare that $100 car tire to a $16 repair-level bicycle tire. As we go up to folding beads with higher-end materials, and use lighter laminates on the casing in order to save weight, all of that typically requires more labor to get right, has a higher reject rate, and requires more expensive materials to achieve. So, when comparing a high-end bicycle tire using Kevlar beads, 120tpi nylon casings, and super-thin laminates of rubber on the sidewalls, you are comparing technologies that are not even present on passenger cars, but more present at the upper ends of motorsports. Like I said above, the only real comparison from a car tire would be a heavy, bulky, low-end wire bead bicycle tire.

This is actually a personal interest of mine, so then we can venture into talking about higher-end automotive tires, lets say like the Goodyear MTR Kevlar – a high-end off road tire in the $250-$300 each range. This tire uses steel beads, single compound rubber, steel belts, and kevlar sidewall reinforcements. So, if you want to compare that to a bicycle tire, its most direct equivelant would be a mid-range reinforced touring tire, probably around the $40-$60 range.

And then to start to try and find an automotive tire that is technologically the same as a high-end bike tire, well in reality, thats really hard. If we start to talk about high-end racing tires, this is where they will start to get into very fine manipulation of compound like bicycle tires, maybe using higher-end materials in the construction to increase strength and reduce weight. And tires like this are in the $500-$2000+ range.

So, the real reasons bicycle tires are so expensive is because it is actually what we, as consumers, desire. There are tires out there that can operate just fine on a bicycle for $15. But as enthusiasts, we know there is a point where we feel comfortable spending some extra dollars to get extra enjoyment from our hobby. At Terrene, we operate in the higher end of this, and yes, we know our tires are expensive in the big picture. There are $30 fat bike tires out there, but the market has shown that most enthusiasts prefer a tire in the $100+ range because of the technological advantages that it has over the $30 one.

Great response, Tim.

Do you think the Cake Eater would be a good option for groomed Duluth trails this winter? I had my mind set on Wazias, but I’m all for faster rolling and a little less weight. I’m leaning towards the 4.6 120tpi version for my Voytek. As a comparison, is the difference in the 2 tires as drastic as let’s say a Flow/Dunder combo to a Dillinger?

Thanks for the perspective Tim! The front side and the back side of the industry show two faces for sure, it is cool to hear from someone that knows both sides. And when you refer to the $16 tire you are right, this is an essential component of bicycle tire sales in America and around the world, but it isn’t what I would want to ride on a performance road or mountain bike, or for ultimate durability on a touring bike. I choose to buy $55-225 bicycle tires for a reason, and as an “enthusiast” I don’t usually price shop for tires because I know that tires are such an essential component of the ride experience, so I buy what i like. That said, the marginal compromise to reach a $150 studded fatbike tire is welcomed in Alaska, as more and more riders are getting out on fatbikes that cost a little over $1000. Nice to finally see the McFly out in the real world.