Thanks for all your replies - do they offer the same protection - whether folding or not?
. The biggest advantages to the folding beads ( for me anyway) is that you can carry folding bead tyres with you on a ride, and not look like a 1900's TDF rider.
I just can't do it... Folding tyres just ain't right, can't bring myself to buy them!
Folding tyres are lighter, because they replace a wire bead with an aramid bead. In every other respect, they are identical to their non-folding counterparts. Millions of riders routinely ride on folding tyres every day. This really is a non-issue.
Dead easy, use a rucksack with a 2 buckle closing system and thread the buckles through the spokes at the 3 and 9 'O' clock positions before snapping them closed. Been carrying wheels to and from my wheelbuilder like that for donkeys years.I just can't do it... Folding tyres just ain't right, can't bring myself to buy them!
A few months ago I did about 12 miles carrying a couple of wire bead mtb tyres across my shoulders/chest/back... Was bloody hard work.
I was contemplating carrying a new wheel the same distance last week but just couldn't figure out how I'd make it pain free.
Just a shame they're more expensive than the 'wire' versions.You will get over your issues with folding tyres once you try them and find they are lighter, faster and better. I used to feel the same way, so I know.