A
bicycle tire is a
tire that fits on the
wheel of a
bicycle,
unicycle,
tricycle,
quadracycle,
bicycle trailer, or
trailer bike. They may also be used on
wheelchairs and
handcycles, especially for
racing. Bicycle tires provide an important source of
suspension, generate the lateral forces necessary for balancing and turning, and generate the longitudinal forces necessary for
propulsion and
braking. They are the second largest source, after
air drag, of power consumption on a level road. The modern detachable pneumatic bicycle tire contributed to the popularity and eventual dominance of the
safety bicycle.