The kind of tyres you use on your bike is determined by what you are using your bike for. Mountain bikes are used over lots of terrains for different activities that use different skills just as much as different tyres. Get the right mountain bike tyres and they will improve your riding and increase your safety.

Tyres come with either an inner tube that keeps them inflated or they are tubeless, but which one do you choose? 

Generally tubeless tyres have a thick side-wall that locks into a specific sealed-bed rim. These tyres can take a beating over rough terrain so they are ideal for downhill, but the downside is that they are more expensive.

The benefits of an airtight seal and a puncture resistant, low pressure, stable performance are outweighed by the high cost. You will need a clean rim and tyre as well to fit it, and a large pump to then inflate it.

Clean conditions are usually unavailable if the tyre has to be replaced on the trail. Even with a large pump you’ll often have to use an inner tube to get you back home and repair the tyre there. Also while small holes might be repairable, a big hole can mean the tyre is completely written off as well.

Tubeless tyres are heavier also, so if you are looking for quick start times and riding speeds choose a lighter tyre. Tyres with inner tubes offer greater flexibility and are usually lighter. You can get them in more designs and tread styles, so getting the one you want might be easier also.

You can buy kits to convert an inner tube tyre to a tubeless tyre. These mix a latex-based filler liquid and a rubber rim strip to seal the inside of the tyre and the rim. You might have to top up the filler occassionally but the cost is still a lot less than a standard tubeless tyre.

You still get some of the advantages of a tubeless tyre but with a much wider choice of rims and treads, and with only the cost of the kit and filler top ups. They are also lighter although the same repair problems on the trail apply unfortunately.

Whichever kind of tyre you choose, it is essential to replace your tyres regularly. A blow out on the trail can cost you a competition or even cause injury. With proper maintenance and careful selection, your tyres will make a massive difference to your riding.