I've used both with good results and mileage. There was one occasion where I pumped up the Vredestein Ricorso's (23's, foldable) up to the max pressure of 115lbs and had the bead lift and a sudden bulge and hissing made me pull over rather fast.

In a few weeks it'll be time to start prepping my Trek 460 for the summer season and will probably go back to the folding bead 23mm tires (I really do like the difference).

What are your preferences and why?

Never had a single problem with my foldable tires, both Michelin and Continental. I had 1 wire bead Schwinn tire blow off the rim (A 27X1-1/4 Puff) in 1972. I had inflated it to the specified Maximum inflation of 100 P.S.I. and was riding away when it let go. The asphalt tore a chunk out of the tire's sidewall so it was scrap then. Never had any other problems other than the odd flat from road debris including trouble free time on tubulars.

I like wire cuz they're usually cheap. I like folding because they're usually light and I gotta have at least one folding tire around for the seatbag on long rides.

I only use folding. They're lighter, usually easier to remove and replace, easier to store spares around the workshop, and once again, they're lighter.

Folding. I normally don't carry a tire with me but people who may do longer ride might carry spares with them incase of blowouts or tears and are easier to carry. Plus I've found them easier to mount over a wire bead with the tires I've used.

Wire bead on 'unhooked' vintage rims. They are more stable.

Always folding. But only because they are much easier to ship and store in my basementless apartment

Same, but I will add that they are almost always higher quality as well, with more supple sidewalls, etc.

I agree that wire beads are more stable on vintage rims. Some of the tire packaging specifically states not to use folding beads on straight-wall rims.

Straight side rim = Wire bead only; never exceeding 80 PSI on 27" rims.
Bulged bead rim = Wire bead only; some will accept up to 100 PSI; depends on the bulge. Would not try on Araya bulged bead.
Hooked bead = Wire or foldable Kevlar bead; inflate to max pressure on tire.

I also have rules for tubulars: If the tire doesn't sit well in the rim curvature (this is primarily directed at modern Vittorias), don't use it.

-Kurt

I have contential 4000s on all the bikes I ride except my touring bike. The touring bike right now has a contential wire bead, but I'm looking for a sale on 32mm gatorskins or the schwalbe marathon plus. One is wire bead the other folding, so interesting question especially for someone who weighs 225+.

My limited experience is that it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. All other things being equal, folding bead tires are a little lighter... but if I was really a weight weenie I'd run tubulars anyway.

The gatorskin is a large performance tire. The Plus is a tank.

I bet the Plus weighs more than twice as much.

I ride Vittoria Randonneur Hypers, which is a beefier Gatorskin, but still prob half what the Plus weighs.

I haven't ridden a wired tire in years, and I weigh more than you. They are simply better.

If you just want something good and fairly cheap, it's hard to beat the standard Vittoria Randonneur.

wire. cheaper and easier to mount. i've never carried a spare tire with me.

if you want folding tires do it right and go tubular

Folding: Lighter and smooter riding. I use them exclusively on my bikes.

Wired: For flip bikes and rims not compatible with folding beads.

I pack the mid-level or below wire bead tires when I ship a bike, or wheels, or wherever I can stuff them in.

Some of the older Continentals look pretty cool with the dark brownish sidewall, and I have a Conti Duraskin that is wired, and I like it.

If it shows up in my garage, I'll keep a wire beaded tire around, to use or give away. I haven't bought one in quite a while.

I have this vision of Robbie's little boy coming to the door, wire-bead tire in tow, looking up at his Dad with big brown eyes saying "He followed me home....can I keep him? Please?"

I would choose wire over folding every time, all other things being equal.

I would choose folding over wire every time, all other things being equal.

+1. Even if the folding version is under say a $5 upcharge I'll usually spring for the folders.

Folders are 10x more likely to blow off non-hooked rims. Half of my bikes are older, with OEM rims, so it's a consideration.
The only disadvantage with wired beads is a miniscule weight penalty.

Folding, Kevlar bead tires do not belong on straight-side rims. It's to the point that most manufacturers are beginning to print this warning on the side of their tires.

Quite simply, anyone who reads the above warning and still insists on doing so deserves whatever comes to him or her.

-Kurt

Rob - Conti is making the brown sidewall Grand Prix again.

Wire bead for the old style hookless rims, folding for everything else.

I've had both blow off. Each time it was operator error (ME) on installation, for not getting the bead evenly seated around the rim. Anymore, I inflate tires with a floor pump, and not an air compressor, although I just bought one of these (used of course) that will attach to my compressor and allow me to slowly inflate tires.

https://www.treefortbikes.com/product...s-Air-Bob.html