The tire is the firm rubber casing mounted on the rim of the bike. By itself, the tire is incapable of holding air*. It is open in the center and has two rigid and fairly sharp edges that allow it to be mounted onto the rim.

There are two main types of tires; clincher and tubular. The vast majority of wheels will use clinchers, a term used to describe the traditional beaded tire/inner tube/rim set-up. Tubular tires on the other hand are more specific to racing. They are sealed units with an inner tube sewn into the casing of the tire.