Ultimate guide to bicycle tyre sizes – How to understand different standards!

𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐬—𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Oiv_eDaTgUDjgki73bqIA/join

Here it is! The ultimate guide to bicycle tyre sizes.
In this comprehensive video, I’ll break down the three main ways tyre sizes are marked: the ETRTO standard, the inch marking system, and the French size markings. Let’s clear up the confusion and help you understand these tyre size markings so you can pick the right tyre size for your bike.

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00:00 – Start
00:11 – Why are there so many bike tyre sizes?
00:47 – Bicycle tyre size standards explained
01:00 – ETRTO standard
01:57 – Inch marking
02:54 – French size marking
03:54 – Conclusion

Have you ever looked at the numbers and 
letters on your bike tyres and wondered what they mean? Figuring out 
tyre sizes can be confusing, but it’s important to understand them 
to choose the right tyres for your bike. Understanding these markings and 
knowing how to read them correctly is essential for determining 
the right size for your tyres. Why there are so many tyre sizes?
Different types of bikes are designed for different purposes, and each type often requires 
specific tyre sizes to perform best. For example: Road Bikes use narrower tyres for speed 
and efficiency on smooth tarmac surface. Mountain Bikes require wider, more rugged 
tyres for better traction on rough terrains. Folding bikes use smaller wheels to be more 
compact when folded, making them easier to carry, store, and transport.
What Do the Various Size Specifications on Bicycle Tyres Mean?
There are 3 main tyre size standards: ETRTO Inch markings, and French size markings. ETRTO Standard. Nowadays, most bicycle tyre sizes are marked using the ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim 
Technical Organisation) standard. This tyre size standard emerged from the need 
to standardise bicycle tyre and rim sizes, driven by international trade and the 
growing popularity of cycling. The growing international market for bicycles and 
components required a common standard to ensure compatibility and simplify manufacturing. 
That’s why the ETRTO was established in the mid-20th century to create a clear and 
precise system for tyre and rim sizes. It specifies tyre sizes using two 
key measurements in millimetres: The width of the tyre.
and the inner diameter of the tyre. For example: A tyre marked as 37-622 
means it is 37 mm wide with an inner diameter of 622 mm.
Inch Marking. The inch marking system is another 
way to indicate tyre size, often used in English-speaking countries. 
For example, 26 x1/4 means that: 26 inches is the approximate 
outer diameter of the tyre. and 1 1/4 inch is the tyre’s width. However, this system can be a bit 
confusing and less precise. For instance: Tyres with diameters of 622 mm and 
635 mm are both called 28 inches, but tyres with an inner diameter 
of 630 mm are called 27 inches. Although this standard is less common 
now, you will still see inch sizes used, especially in mountain biking and touring. 29-inch mountain bike tyres have the same inner 
diameter of 622 mm as 28″ /700c hybrid tyres. French Size Marking.
French size markings are another system you might see, 
especially on road and hybrid bikes. For example, 700 x 25C means that 700 mm is the approximate 
outer diameter of the tyre. and 25 mm is the tyre’s width. C indicates the inner diameter of the tyre. Tyres with the same French external size 
markings can have different bead seat diameters, which can be confusing. The 
letters help to clarify this somewhat. For example, in tyres with an 
external diameter of 650 mm: The letter A indicates an 
internal diameter of 590 mm. The letter B indicates an 
internal diameter of 584 mm. The letter C indicates an 
internal diameter of 571 mm. French tyre size markings 
are still used on the road and hybrid tyres but are not used for MTB sizes. Conclusion.
Understanding these different tyre size specifications can help you choose the right tyres 
for your bicycle, ensuring they fit properly and perform well. Let me know in the comments below if 
the information in this video was helpful and what tyre size standard do you typically rely on when 
determining the correct tyre size for your bike? If you enjoyed this video and would 
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