On soft surfaces (loose sand, grass, etc), almost all grip will be created by the knobs digging into the surface, and our test results will be of little use. For more about our grip test, and how the knobby tread pattern affects the test results, we have more information here. It's critical to understand our static wet grip test works with a hard surface. This means the grip data is only directly useful for comparing tires on hard surfaces where the rubber compound creates the grip. Understanding the test results gets more difficult when grip is created by the knobs digging into the surface. One is the traditional size like 700x28c or 27.5x2.2. The first figure is the tyre diameter(size). The second is tyre width. Note: road bike sizes are in mm, MTB sizes are in inches. Here is a comparrison chart for traditional and ETRTO sizing to help you choose the correct tyre size. ETRTO Number

There will also be many surfaces where the total grip will be a combination of the tread compound grip and the grip provided by the knobs. Under these circumstances, the hard surface grip can still be a deciding factor. The other set of figures you may see is ETRTO sizing like this 28-622. The first number here is tyre width while the second number relates to wheel diameter. NOTE: We added hard surface wet grip test data on 2023-6-9. The rating of the Continental Cross King Protection 29x2.3 has been upgraded by 0.2 points because of very good results in the hard surface wet grip test.Puncture Force Blunt Needle: The Blunt needle has a flat tip and won't split the casing wires. To puncture the tire, the blunt needle has to cut the casing wires. NOTE: As of 2021, we've improved the puncture resistance tests and now provide 'Total Puncture Score' as the main puncture resistance indicator. Puncture Force Sharp Needle: Pre-2021, this score was known as 'Puncture Resistance'. On some tires with weakly bonded casing wires, the sharp needle can split the casing wires resulting in a lower score. Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply.

You want to leave at least 4mm clearance between your frame and tyres to prevent rub and allow for mud clearance. Given these shortcomings, we feel our grip test, combined with the knob height measurements, will still be valuable information when comparing tires.

How We Test Bicycle Tires