foldable vs wired tires

[Gordon71]

I did a search and found nothing so thought I would ask. I looked a some new fat tires on line and noticed they could be bought in either foldable or wired and was wondering which is better and why?

 

[Gionnirocket]

I did a search and found nothing so thought I would ask. I looked a some new fat tires on line and noticed they could be bought in either foldable or wired and was wondering which is better and why?

Not sure about tires... But as for a partner I prefer foldable for obvious reasons

 

[K PierreR]

Wire bead tires are heavier and usually made with a lower thread count (TPI) than foldable beads. The wire version will be the cheaper tire and may be more appropriate for many e bike applications. If you believe that weight of e bikes as far as handling is concerned does not matter and if price is the main concern, go with the wire bead tire.
The higher TPI on the folding bead usually gives the tire a lower rolling resistance and a lighter tire overall. The bike will feel lighter in handling with the lower spinning weight tire and pedal easier without power. Especially at lower pressure in the tires where the ride quality is better. Range will also be a little longer. You get what you pay for.
The wire tires may be more expensive to ship.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Wire bead tires are heavier and usually made with a lower thread count (TPI) than foldable beads. The wire version will be the cheaper tire and may be more appropriate for many e bike applications. If you believe that weight of e bikes as far as handling is concerned does not matter and if price is the main concern, go with the wire bead tire.
The higher TPI on the folding bead usually gives the tire a lower rolling resistance and a lighter tire overall. The bike will feel lighter in handling with the lower spinning weight tire and pedal easier without power. Especially at lower pressure in the tires where the ride quality is better. Range will also be a little longer. You get what you pay for.
The wire tires may be more expensive to ship.

and on a fire tire bike that all goes out the window. I don't know if I have ever had a tire without a wire bead.

 

[Gordon71]

OK I was looking at the same 26X4 fat tire in both wire and foldable. The wire had a TPI of 60 and the foldable 120. Then I read this somewhere else: "The lower the number of TPI, the larger the gauge cords in the casing. Thus, the more durable the tire becomes." That would seem to indicate that the wire ones are more durable than the foldable. If correct that makes the cheaper "wire" tire will last longer than the more expensive foldable tire making it a much better buy.

 

[retiredNH]

OK I was looking at the same 26X4 fat tire in both wire and foldable. The wire had a TPI of 60 and the foldable 120. Then I read this somewhere else: "The lower the number of TPI, the larger the gauge cords in the casing. Thus, the more durable the tire becomes." That would seem to indicate that the wire ones are more durable than the foldable. If correct that makes the cheaper "wire" tire will last longer than the more expensive foldable tire making it a much better buy.

I would not assume this. IIRC, foldable tires just have non-metal bead cables, probably kevlar. The TPI no doubt refers to the fabric plies that form the body of the tire. You could have a lower TPI just by having a looser (and cheaper) weave, just for example.

On top of this, there are a lot of other factors, mostly in the tread (rubber) composition, that affect tire durability. And then there's tread pattern, which affects wear and handling.

 

[Gordon71]

To be honest the more I look into tires the more confused it gets. The stock tires on my Rover are 30TPI. Right now the only place I've found that even sells them are at Rad for only $50 per tire. I've read posts that says they are bad tires that don't last. Mine have close to 1800 miles on them and there is still lots of tread. This being my first bike since I was a kid I've no idea how many miles a bike tire should last but these seem to be doing OK.

 

[harryS]

I always thought wire bead was harder to pop off the rims when changing tires. So my 26" fat tires are foldable,

 

[Gordon71]

I always thought wire bead was harder to pop off the rims when changing tires. So my 26" fat tires are foldable,

I don't think that's true,at least it wasn't for me. I picked up a nail at around 700 miles on my rear tire last year. I didn't even need the tire tools to either remove or install the tire once I had patched the tube.

 

[BlackHand]

I had to put a new tube in my Super Moto X (stiff sidewalk and wired) a few months ago. I of my tire prybars snapped while trying to get it off. It definitely took a plan and multiple tools to get it done, unlike the foldable tire I had to replace on my daughter's bike. That one popped right off with no tools and the new one went on with no tools

 

[K PierreR]

and on a fire tire bike that all goes out the window. I don't know if I have ever had a tire without a wire bead.

In 13,000 miles I have had one set of wire bead fat tires that I have run about 500 miles before getting a puncture I could not fix. Junked them. All the other miles have been on folding bead high TPI tires that got me between 4-6k miles of wear.

OK I was looking at the same 26X4 fat tire in both wire and foldable. The wire had a TPI of 60 and the foldable 120. Then I read this somewhere else: "The lower the number of TPI, the larger the gauge cords in the casing. Thus, the more durable the tire becomes." That would seem to indicate that the wire ones are more durable than the foldable. If correct that makes the cheaper "wire" tire will last longer than the more expensive foldable tire making it a much better buy.

False most of the time.
Better tires have always been one of the cheapest insurance policies you can buy. Think of the difference in Wire bead and folding bead as bia ply tires to radial tires. With manufacturers liability we all know where the bia ply tires have gone.
Low TPI wire bead tires are more prone to self steering issue in wider widths, There is a bigger difference in rolling resistance between high pressure and low pressure with Low TPI tires causing you to run them on the high pressure side. Running high pressures makes tires wear faster and are more prone to punctures.
Low TPI tires can run as much as 30 watts per hour more. That goes to friction and heating of the tires.
The only reason that there might be better wear is because they tend to put higher durometer rubber in the tires to reduce wear due to internal friction. That also reduces traction.
All of my tires are folding bead
I have a set of 4.4" Jumbo JIm's. I run them rock hard on pavement at 14-15 PSI, 8-10 PSI on dirt and 3-4 PSI in sand

I have a set of Terrene Wazia 4.8" full studded tires that I run at 7-8 PSI on dirt and 2-3 PSI in deep snow or sand.

I have a set of G One 29" X 2.25" pavement tires that I run rock hard at 25-30PSI

All are run tubeless. I am riding about 250+ miles per week. 65 today.

I have one wire bead low TPI 4 X 20" Kenda tire with tube on a trailer and that tire has got to go. Its like dragging and anchor.

 

[harryS]

and on a fire (fat?) tire bike that all goes out the window. I don't know if I have ever had a tire without a wire bead.

I've got some foldable fat tires with kevlar beads. The original wire tires were so hard to remove, I specifically looked for foldable