Wired vs Kevlar bead tires?
 

Hello,

I am new to biking and curious, what is the differences good and bad, of wire bead vs Kevlar bead tires?

RH

Wire bead = cheaper
Kevlar bead = more expensive, but lighter, and can be folded

Apparently there's a way to fold a wire bead tire that won't ruin it, but I think'd I rather just go Kevlar and not worry about it.

Bob

Fold it this way.

http://www.rideyourbike.com/tirefold.html

Is one better than the other as far as durability?

Not for otherwise identical tires. The benefits of kevlar bead are foldability, slightly less weight usually, and easier to put on and take off (for me anyway). My main experience is with Gatorskins, though.

For high quality tires, the weight difference can be noticable (200g vs 300g). Price difference is also noticable.

At the very high end, no wire beaded tires are available.

DH MTB's use wire beads...I wasn't even aware they were available for road tires anymore.

I have a set of Gatorskins with a wire bead. I have no issues with running them, except they are 25mm, and as such do not clear the seatstay on my Corima by enough for my satisfaction, so I run them on my Wilier mostly. It's a very light build, and the difference in overall weight between the wire bead Gatorskins and a set of GP4000s on the same wheels/bike is remarkable, both when picking the bike up and riding it. That being said, in the winter I ride the Gatorskins quite happily.

Interesting, sounds like Kevlar bead is the way to go.