Which tyres fit your bike: Sur-Ron and Arctic Leopard tyre sizes

Start with the markings on both tyres and rims, plus the bike model and year. The old tyre size helps with a search but does not prove the previous fitment was correct. Before ordering from the tyres section, check the requirements for your version.

Where the size is written

The raised digits sit on the sidewall, close to the rim. If the outer face is chewed up by rocks, check the inner side of the wheel: it usually survives better. One caution: the tyre and the inner tube can tell different stories, because a tube may have been replaced with whatever was at hand. Trust the tyre.

If a previous owner changed the wheels, compare the factory table with the fitted rims. A sidewall photograph alone cannot confirm compatibility.

How to read 70/100-19 and 3.00-18

In 70/100-19 the first number is the tyre width in millimetres, the second is the sidewall height as a percentage of the width, and the third is the rim diameter in inches. So 70/100-19 is a 70 mm wide tyre with a 70 mm sidewall on a 19-inch rim.

The 3.00-18 notation is in inches: three inches wide, an 18-inch rim. You see it on the rear wheels of light machines - the Sur-Ron Light Bee runs exactly this size at the back.

The tyre bead diameter must match the rim diameter. Do not choose a neighbouring width solely because it fits between the fork legs or swingarm.

Why front and rear are different

The front tyre holds the line and does most of the braking; the rear delivers the drive. So the rear is usually wider with a more aggressive block pattern, and on many models the rim diameters differ too. Here are the factory sizes of the machines we sell and service:

The table describes catalogue configurations, not every model year. The Michelin fitment guide requires an approved size, suitable rim width, load and speed ratings, and clearance through full suspension travel. Modified bikes need a separate fitment check.

At xBike we often discuss a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear with a wider off-road tyre. This is a conversion option, not the factory setup of every model. Before changing wheels, we check compatibility with brakes and suspension, clearances and the effect on riding position.

What the catalogue holds

Our featured rear enduro tyre is the X-GRIP SuperENDURO-R 140/80-18. We select the compound and check fit for the specific bike; the manager confirms price and stock. Read our X-GRIP article for SOFT, MEDIUM and HARD options, rims and mousse selection.

The tyres section also includes other sizes: 70/100-19, 80/100-19, 90/90-19, 100/90-18, 120/90-18, 3.00-18, 3.25-18, 80/100-21, 90/100-16, 70/100-17, 70/90-17, 80/90-17 and 90/80-17. Check the chosen product page for its purchase terms.

By tread pattern the range splits into four groups. Road tyres with a fine block are for the city and tarmac: quieter, and they last the season, while a soft mud block wears down quickly on asphalt. Universal tyres are the middle ground for riders who leave the city on weekends. Off-road tyres with tall knobs are for dirt and mountains: the blocks clear clay and pull on climbs. Studded tyres are for snow and ice - more about those in Electric bikes in an Almaty winter.

The Light Bee rear in inch notation: 3.00-18

How to order and what we check

Send the model, year and photographs of tyre and rim markings. Mention any wheel changes. This helps identify a catalogue option; a non-standard size needs checking on the bike before installation.

Common questions

Will an 80/100-19 fit instead of a 70/100-19? A matching 19-inch diameter is not enough. Check the specifications for your bike and rim, then clearance through suspension travel. Have a specialist confirm a non-standard fitment.

Can I replace just one tyre? You can, if the other one is still healthy. Replacing as a pair is safer: a fresh tyre and a worn one grip differently, and you feel it in corners. That is why the catalogue also carries ready-made front-and-rear sets.

How do I know a tyre is done? You can see it without any tools: the knobs have rounded off and lost their edges, the centre is down to half its height, and there are cuts or plugs in the sidewall. If the bike has started to drift in corners and spin up where it used to pull, the tyre is already asking to be replaced.

Do you stock studded tyres for Sur-Ron? Yes, studded tyres are listed in 70/100-19, 80/100-19, 80/100-21, 100/90-18 and 90/100-16. Seasonal demand for them starts in November, so it pays to work out your size early.

Do you bring tyres in to order? Yes, a large part of the catalogue comes in to order. Send us the size and the tread you need, and we will name the price and lead time before you pay anything.