For today, we’re going to talk about tires, specifically BMX tires.
And the reason is I’m currently building a BMX Bike, and already I’m facing a challenge with the bike tires.
See, I recently installed some WTB Trail BMX bike tires, and they’re pretty badass and look awesome.
The problem is they’re not conducive to my type of riding.
And why is that?
My WTB Tires are 2.4 and pretty wide.
I thought it would be good to have them; after all, everyone in the BMX community seems to be shifting the fat tires.
These BMX race tires leave about half an inch or less of space on my fork, and the big issue is I ride brakes.
So, the brake arms rub on the wheel on the back end of the fork.
Of course, I can always dial my BMX, so the brakes don’t rub at all. But the thing is, when I grind, do tricks, and land sideways or snag my back end on something, the tire shifts and rubs.
The other reason I feel they’re not cut for my riding style is they’re meant for more hardcore street riding, and my style is a slower pace and tech riding versus like old school drops.
Sure, wide BMX bike tires have better shock absorption, the WTB comes with these like waffle grips. They grip well but seem to give away.
Simply put, these bike tires are disjointed from my style of riding, and I can only imagine how many BMX riders out there are not satisfied with their choice of tires.
In fact, the assembly experience has got me thinking on what’s really the importance of the right choice for BMX tires.
I know, most BMX riders can always do with stock tires, but you’ll definitely need a new set of wheels when you need to level up your riding performance.
And I’m here to help.
You don’t have to make the mistake I did in my BMX tire selection.
I’ll share some of the best BMX Tires around in the guide below.
Also, based on my BMX riding experience, I’ll share some nuggets later on how to make the right BMX tire selection based on your riding needs.
Table of Contents
- 1 Table of Contents
- 2 Quick Comparison Table!
- 3 The Best BMX Tires For The Money
- 4 #1 Maxxis Hookworm BMX Bike Tire - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- 5 #2 SUNLITE Freestyle BMX Kontact Tires – Entry-Level BMX Tires
- 6 #3 Maxxis Holy Roller Bike Tire – Best BMX Street Tires
- 7 #4 SUNLITE MX3 BMX Tires - Best BMX tires for Kids Bike
- 8 #5 Schwinn Replacement Bike Tire – Best Replacement Bike Tires
- 9 Best BMX Tires Buying Guide
- 10 Best BMX Tires Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 11 Wrap Up: Our Choice
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
The Best BMX Tires For The Money
#1 Maxxis Hookworm BMX Bike Tire - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The Maxxis Hookworm BMX Bike Tire opens our list of the best BMX tires.
They’re the ultimate solution to all your BMX riding needs, and after using them for several seasons, I don’t think other tires come close to these.
One of the stand-out features of these tires is their durability.
Out of the box, they feel so rigid and thick. They’re also beefy and designed to take on the abuses of even the most aggressive freestyle BMX riding.
Personally, I’ve been using them for several seasons now and haven’t seen any noticeable wear in them even after racking thousands of miles.
Even better, I’m pretty much assured of trouble-free cruising and haven’t experienced flats or anything.
The Hookworm BMX Bike Tire is a great combination for a safe commute, especially when paired with thorn-resistant tubes.
The other big plus with the Hookworm BMX Bike Tires is their high-pressure range.
Usually, most BMX tires can accommodate between 30 to 70 psi pressure.
I can crank this sucker up to 110 psi.
What’s the benefit?
I’ve been building a giant BMX bike, but the standard tire would not hold the 200 lbs. without looking flat.
But these dirt BMX tires are burly enough to carry even more weight.
And the good thing is if you’re not interested in the high pressure, you can let the pressure out. At 75 psi, for example, I can enjoy a smoother ride.
Speaking of the ride, I can’t say enough good about the smoother grip and traction on the Maxxis Hookworm.
The bead-to-bead traction has a surprising amount of grip, whether grinding rails or riding at the skate parks.
While other BMX race tires tend to slip on wet surfaces, these best BMX tires never come stuck on the wet and cobbly pavement in my neighborhood.
The rolling performance for this BMX dirt tire is also well balanced, and I love how it rolls easily.
These dirt BMX tires have some serious roll to them, and just by pedaling two times, I effortlessly coast on the pavements.
I can say they’ve made a world of difference compared to my stock tires, especially with the rolling performance.
Even better, they’re pretty multi-functional. Besides BMX bikes, they’re an excellent selection for pedicabs, cargo bikes, road bikes, and any application where a rugged wheel is needed.
Overall, I don’t think you can find a better BMX tire than the Hookworm BMX Bike Tire.
It’s the ultimate selection and comes with an array of awesome features every street BMX rider will appreciate.
Pros
- Incredible rolling performance
- BMX dirt tire; durable & no-flats
- Best BMX tire for traction; aggressive knobby tread
Cons
- Bulky & thicker tire
#2 SUNLITE Freestyle BMX Kontact Tires – Entry-Level BMX Tires
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I got the Sunlite Freestyle BMX Tires, which have seen better days, and I really like them so far.
They’re of good quality and strong, just like the reviews suggested.
While they’re an entry-level pick, they’re up there with the best BMX tires, but at a better price.
The first impression of these is their nice color choices.
These Freestyle BMX tires look nice, especially on my red Mongoose rims. They complete the look.
Other color options are available, and if 11 of the colors are your favorite, you’ll love purchasing this BMX tire.
Looks aside, the technical side of things on this tire is impressive.
Let’s start with the durability.
The quality of materials and construction on the Sunlite Freestyle BMX Tires is fine.
While the tire itself is suitable for mainly road and sidewalk use, they’re also a great BMX dirt tire for chunky outdoors. I’ve used them on rough terrains and I’m yet to encounter a pinch flat.
The casing on these tires is solid and seems to get along well on most terrains.
Another great plus with these freestyle tires is the grip.
The directionally grooved tacky tread offers an impressive grip.
These nice wheel treads grab the ground quite well and are practical for different surfaces, including wet grounds.
It also makes the bike more stable, especially when wet. They feel sticky on corners and roll quietly.
And this brings us to the rolling performance.
I immediately felt a difference from the moment I installed these and noticed that it was easier and faster to ride than my previous stock racing tires.
Handling has improved, and the good thing is I can adjust the tire pressure to suit my needs.
For example, they can take up to 60 psi, which is great for speed on pavement, but they can also run safely on a much lower tire pressure if you’re on gravel.
My son has also tried the Sunlite Freestyle BMX Tires, and his confidence is improving by the day. It’s a couple of weeks now, and he has even begun experimenting with jump BMX riding on the curbs.
And yes, these Freestyle BMX tires are nice for doing tricks and street riding.
I love them.
Pros
- Simple to set up
- A whopping 11 color options
- Offers sufficient grip
- Best BMX Tire for beginners
Cons
- Not cheap
#3 Maxxis Holy Roller Bike Tire – Best BMX Street Tires
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Third, on our list of the best BMX tires is yet another great option from Maxxis.
These fast-rollers embody everything you would need for your BMX bike tire.
Yes, their price tag is mean, but the street tire seems to be worth it so far.
I’ve racked several thousands of miles on these street BMX tires, and they feel great and have given me a nice experience.
Visually, they look great and seem pretty ragged.
I specifically bought them because of their wide profile, which makes them a nice purchase for a comfortable ride.
Apart from that, they’re also durable, and I have worked with them on snow, rain, and ice.
They’re perfect for long-distance BMX racing, and even after using them for eight months, now, they seem to be in great shape.
The longest I’ve taken them so far is 20 miles, and even then, they still looked capable and hardly showed signs of wear and tear.
Keep in mind I’m an aggressive BMX racer and have even accidentally taken on some broken glass on the street. I’m impressed they survived without damage or anything.
I chose this BMX street tire because they come with a knobby tread.
It’s not the most aggressive wheel tread design, but the shallow tread is adequate for most applications.
The racing tires provide a nice road adhesion, so I find it easy to stand up with good brakes without slipping excessively.
Even when the conditions are wet, I’ve no issues either.
The knobby tread handles the roots and other road obstacles like a champ. This is not to mention it has improved handling and even given new life to my bike.
Rolling on these tires is also awesome.
Their round profile is quite responsive, and I can even lay the bike on its side without the tires coming unstuck from the pavement.
On the road, Maxxis Holy Roller generally rolls faster than the conventional knobby mountain bike tires.
As I mentioned earlier, these are suitable for pavement, so I wouldn’t want to ride them on the gnarly technical trails or in mud.
It rolls well on pavement and feels more secure on sidewalks with sand or gravel on them.
On the higher-pressure range, these wheels roll like a ball downhill.
I usually air them to about 60 psi for pavement, and the rolling resistance is pretty low and quiet. I air down to 35 psi for the trail sections, and they feel grippy and inspire more confidence.
Overall, there’s pretty nothing to complain about the Maxxis Holy Roller.
They’re genuinely perfect tires, especially if you need an option to commute in the city all season through and take on the nasty weather.
Pros
- Durable
- Knurled tread surface; better traction than mountain bike tires
- Perfect tire for the street rider
- Low riding resistance
Cons
- Expensive
#4 SUNLITE MX3 BMX Tires - Best BMX tires for Kids Bike
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
14” tires are a bit uncommon, and I’m glad I found these.
They’re exactly what I was looking for because I couldn’t find little tires for my daughter’s bike.
Sizing aside, these tires are also great.
They’re easy to install and aggressive. We love them.
They’re cute and made my kid’s project great out of the box. They resemble the OEM but have a nice extra touch.
We were also impressed with their sturdiness, especially for the price.
They’re nearly twice as thick as most BMX tires for kids, and I’m no longer concerned about flats for my kids.
SUNLITE MX3 BMX Tires are well-made and stiff but can still roll over the grassy areas.
The durable casing will ensure you enjoy a long-lasting experience, even when using them pretty heavily.
We’ve used ours for a couple of months now, and the tires have so far worked fine. I can’t complain about the quality or anything.
On top of that, I chose the SUNLITE MX3 BMX Tires because of their knobby tread.
The carefully designed tread pattern is exciting to use and has two main benefits.
One is that it allows for a balanced ride on smooth and rough surfaces.
More importantly, my kid has just begun exploring, and he is discovering hitting the brakes and skidding.
The tread prevents faster wear while allowing her to have a nice grip on the road.
She also says the experience is much better when riding, and the tires aren’t loose. So, when she brakes, the tires don’t slide forward.
Plus, her ride is much more comfortable, and she says the pair makes his bike ride faster, like a new pair of running shoes.
But the greatest benefit with these tires, at least according to me, is the size.
I’m happy they’re available in different sizes and specifically cater to the needs of my young one.
Even in my local bike store, it’s pretty hard to find a tire size 14, so I was glad to find the right sizing.
And once I installed them, they looked like they came with her bike!
Pros
- Available in different tire size
- Tread patterns for better balance
- Durable
Cons
- Small tires, so a bit hard to install
#5 Schwinn Replacement Bike Tire – Best Replacement Bike Tires
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
I got two of these tires to replace the stock tires that were aging on my BMX.
So far, I’m pleased by their performance. The difference between these two is massive, especially in tread and rolling performance.
Wet or dry, grass or pavement, I’m impressed with their grip and would recommend them for any BMX rider.
The other plus with this purchase is they feel solid.
My previous stock tires came with a soft compound that started to show signs of wear after 30 miles of regular use.
The Schwinn Replacement Bike Tire is different.
I’ve used them for a couple of seasons now, and they don’t show any signs of wear. I don’t think I’ll need to replace them anytime soon.
They’ve held up well, and keep in mind I’ve been riding on the broken-up sidewalks, tree roots, and patchy road sections.
The goat head thorns also seem to have no impact on these tires, and I no longer have to do any patching.
A solid Kevlar belt on these tires is super strong and will stand up to all the abuses of any mountain or country location.
Tread on the wheels is also nice and perfect for any conditions, especially the wet terrain.
It’s so deep that it handles the muddy and wet conditions like a champ.
Great for everyday use, the symmetric centerline tread pattern helps with stability, control, and better handling.
The rolling performance is also up to par, and the tires ride smoothly.
Riding around my neighborhood has become much easier, and today, I find myself hopping on the bike more than I used to do earlier.
Overall, I like this replacement BMX bike tire, and I would highly recommend it.
Pros
- Great replacement bike tire
- Incredible traction
- Ideal for different locations and terrains
Cons
- Low tire pressure range (30-40)
Best BMX Tires Buying Guide
We’ve gone through the list of the best BMX tires, but with a great list of options, narrowing down to the right choice can be nerve-cracking.
But you don’t have to worry about that because, in the section below, I’ve compiled a guide outlining everything you need to know about selecting the right BMX tire for your riding needs.
But first, let’s look at the differences between road tires and BMX tires.
Road Tires vs. BMX Tires: What’s the Difference?
There’s not much difference between the road tires and the BMX tires.
However, the best BMX Tires tend to be more durable than road tires.
This is primarily because they pound on the street more than the road tires, so they need to hold freestyle riding abuse.
Can I Use any BMX Tire for all my Styles?
Different BMX tires come in different tread designs and construction to suit specific styles.
So, not any BMX tire will work for all BMX styles.
Street tyres, race tyres, and box dirt tyres are all made for various driving conditions and terrains. Here is a quick breakdown of the key variations between these categories of tyres:
Specifically intended for off-road driving on muddy or dirt surfaces are box dirt tyres. Large, deep lugs in their tyre design give them outstanding traction and stability on soft, uneven terrain. These tyres frequently have reinforced sidewalls to offer further defence against damage and punctures.
Race tyres: For high-performance driving on the track, race tyres are designed. When used on the street, they have a propensity to wear out quickly while having a very sticky composition that offers good traction and handling at high speeds. Race tyres lack the tread depth and durability required for daily driving, making them unsuitable for use on public roads.
Street tyres: These tyres are made specifically for daily use on paved roads. They have a strong compound that can endure the abrasion and wear of regular driving, as well as a tread pattern that offers exceptional traction and handling. Street tyres lack the grip and durability required for high-performance driving, making them inappropriate for usage on the track or off-road.
In general, it’s crucial to select the proper kind of tyre for the driving circumstances and terrain you’ll be dealing with. The incorrect tyre choice can result in unsafe driving conditions, worsened wear and tear, and poor handling.
The best BMX Tires for street riding, for example, are different from those of casual or doing tricks.
Factors to Consider when Selecting the Best BMX Tires
I’ll share the important factors to consider when selecting the right BMX tire for your riding needs in the section below.
Riding Style
The first and most crucial element to consider when selecting a BMX tire is the BMX style or discipline.
Remember, we’ve just mentioned the importance of selecting a BMX tire based on the riding needs.
There’re different riding styles, and some of the popular BMX riding styles and their suitable BMX tires include:
Flatland
Flatland riding takes on generally smooth terrains.
Therefore, the tread pattern for flatland riding isn’t critical. A smooth tread is sufficient.
However, the tire should be shallow and lightweight to accommodate the pressure.
Freestyle/ Park Riding
Freestyle riding requires large wheels, which facilitate better control and flexibility.
Race
Race riding prioritizes speed.
Therefore, your choice of dirt tires should be aggressive.
Usually, the narrower profile & thinner tires are suitable for race riding.
The tires should also accommodate the maximum pressure needed for racing and minimize friction.
Dirt Riding
Most dirt tires have deep tread patterns to take on the muddy and rough terrains.
They’re also popular in mountain bikes and used for mountain biking.
The good thing with these dirt tires is they only require a low PSI for a cushy landing.
Jump Riding
Jump riding tires usually have very thin tires than freestyle wheels.
They also come with deeper tread patterns and are durable to accommodate the rough landings.
Material
After determining the riding discipline, the next crucial element to consider is the choice of material.
Generally, the choice of material affects the overall durability and performance of your BMX.
High-quality rubber is lightweight and has great performance properties such as traction and durability.
Alternatively, you can choose Kevlar. It’s a bit expensive but ultra-lightweight and of excellent performance.
Size BMX Tire
Sizing is important for the best BMX Tires.
Usually, the two important elements are tire width and diameter.
Most standard BMX tires come with a 20” diameter.
Tire width varies and may come as narrow as 1-inch and as wide as 2.35 inches. It all depends on the style of riding you need them for.
For example, race tires are generally narrower and have a slim profile. On the other hand, Dirt tires tend to have a wider profile and are fat.
Pressure
The pressure of a BMX tire is important, especially when it comes to the overall BMX performance.
The good thing with the BMX bike tire pressure is that it can be increased or decreased, depending on your needs.
But always keep in mind the maximum pressure a bike tire can hold.
Load Capacity
A rule of thumb with a race BMX tire is you must never overload.
Consider their maximum weight capacity. Otherwise, you might cause the tires to explode or even bend your BMX bike.
Bike Tire Pattern
Bike tire patterns are commonly known as treads.
Treads, including the little rubber spikes, are more than aesthetics but usually play an essential role in the overall traction and rolling performance.
Bike tires lacking tread have no grip, and riding on a slippery surface is usually unsafe.
I recommend picking a tire offering optimal traction and grip on different surfaces.
Best BMX Tires Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the ideal PSI for BMX tires for the street?
A: Proper PSI is necessary for a comfortable ride and smooth roll.
I would recommend a PSI of between 40 to 70 of the street BMX bikes, but of course, you always need to check with your manufacturer?
Q: Does the width of a BMX tire matter?
A: Yes, the width matters.
Wider dirt tires have more balance, stability, and control.
Q: How often should I pump my BMX bike?
A: The pumping frequency depends on the tire size and pressure required.
Q: Are tire treads important?
A: Yes, tire treads determine the overall grip.
They also promote soft landing and offer better cushioning.
Wrap Up: Our Choice
Our winner for the best BMX tires is the Maxxis Hookworm BMX Tire.
I can’t get enough of this tire because it checks on almost every box.
First, it’s durable and will save you from inconveniences of flat tires and the need for regular patching.
It’s also beefy and can support up to 110 PSI, so it’ll hold the heaviest of the BMX bikes in your garage.
Finally, it has excellent traction, and its rolling performance is high up with the premium options in the market.
I would highly recommend getting a Maxxis Hookworm BMX Bike Tire as the best BMX Tires. You won’t be disappointed.
