These best folding BMX tires are the way to go if you want to keep your bike lightweight and ready to rip.
Seriously, making the switch can be a total game-changer.
These tires shed extra weight (thanks to their Kevlar or other lightweight bead materials) and make your bike feel more responsive and quicker in the air.
That’s why park shredders prefer them primarily.
However, these tires can work for all riding styles, street, trails, bowls, flatland, you name it.
Having the right set of folding tires can give you that extra edge you’ve been looking for.
In this article, we’re diving into some of the best options out there.
We’re talking about grippy options, durable, and built to handle the punishment of tough sessions while keeping your ride light and fast.
Who doesn’t like the sound of that?
Okay, let’s get into the folding tires you don’t wanna miss.
This post covers:
Best Folding BMX Tires To Drop Bike Weight
1. KHE MAC2+ Folding Tire
The KHE MAC2+ tire is an impressive solution if you’re into park and ramp riding.
With its crazy light 13.7 oz weight (yep, that’s way lighter than most tires), and a slick Kevlar folding bead, your bike will feel insanely nimble in the air.
Honestly, the difference in rotational weight is unreal – you’ll notice it right away.
Perfect for boosting higher and riding smoother.
Trust me, your setup will feel next-level once you slap these on.
- Weight: 13.7oz (388g)
- Max pressure: 120 PSI
- Price: $54.99 (may vary)
2. Maxxis Grifter Street Kevlar Tire
The Maxxis Grifter tire’s fast-rolling tread keeps your momentum up, and the high-volume casing seriously cushions those harsh landings.
Whether you’re hitting park or street, this one holds up like a champ.
Plus, with the different width options, you can easily find the right pair for your ride. You can go thin with a 1.85″ or fat with 2.4″.
This also allows you to ride a thinner tire in the back and a fatter in the front, like make dudes out there.
But I like both tires of the same width.
- Weight: 18.9 oz (537g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $44.00 (may vary)
3. Odyssey Super Circuit K-Lyte Tire
The Odyssey Super Circuit K-Lyte tire is an absolute beast, and I can’t stop raving about it.
It’s light, grippy, and perfect for racing and park sessions.
The smooth center tread makes it faster, while the micro-knurled side blocks give you tons of confidence ripping through corners.
With the K-Lyte casing and Kevlar bead, it’s strong yet keeps the weight down, so your bike feels agile and more sensitive.
Plus, you can run it at high pressure for max speed. If you’re looking to up your game, this tire is a must-try.
- Weight: 15.5oz (439g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $49.99 (may vary)
4. Odyssey Aitken K-Lyte Tire
Dude, the Odyssey Mike Aitken K-Lyte Tire is legit.
It’s got a semi-aggressive tread that grips hard but keeps a smooth centerline, so you roll fast and easy.
The dual-ply sidewalls make it durable, and the light Kevlar bead seriously reduces rotational weight.
Perfect for keeping your ride zippy, whether cruising or hitting big lines.
Plus, it holds up to 100 psi, so it’s always ready for whatever you throw at it.
- Weight: 16oz (453g)
- Max pressure: 100 PSI
- Price: $49.99 (may vary)
5. Demolition Hammerhead-S Tire
The Demolition Hammerhead-S tire is Mike “Hucker” Clark‘s signature model, and it rips on everything—street, park, or hard-packed dirt.
The multiple rows of micro-knurled rectangular lugs give you insane traction while still rolling super smooth.
The folding design makes it light, perfect for saving rotational weight and keeping your bike feeling sharp.
This tire just feels right no matter where you ride.
- Weight: 19.4oz (549g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $39.99 (may vary)
6. Cult Fast & Loose Folding Tire
Try the Cult Fast and Loose folding tire if you’re all about speed.
As simple as that!
It’s Corey Walsh‘s signature tire, built for pure, fast-paced shredding.
The harder rubber compound keeps the rolling resistance super low, so you can fly at top speed without losing grip.
Plus, it’s tough but still lightweight, making your ride feel smooth and dialed.
Trust me, this tire makes a huge difference when chasing serious speed.
- Weight: 24oz (683g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $42.99 (may vary)
7. Colony Griplock Lite Tire
The Colony Griplock Lite tire has a sick casing with micro knurling and shallow grooves, which gives it an insane grip on any surface.
The foldable design means no heavy steel bead weighing you down, making your ride extra fast.
The tread is low-profile and rolls smooth.
Moreover, the sidewalls are reinforced to handle both high and low pressures without worrying about blowouts.
You’ll always be ready to rip with the Colony Griplock Lite tire.
- Weight: 17.2oz (487g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $59.99 (may vary)
8. Eclat Mirage Tire
Are you a street dude who pays close attention to the weight of your bike?
Then the Eclat Mirage folding tire is one of your ultimate options.
This thing is light but tough enough to handle the street abuse, from drops to grinds.
The 120tpi casing keeps it durable, and the dual compound tread has a smooth center for speed with grippy sides for control.
The full “Silkshield” protection layer covers bead-to-bead, and a special outer ridge acts like a bumper, saving your sidewalls during grinds.
The Mirage tire is built for max performance.
- Weight: 19oz (538g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $47.49 (may vary)
9. Merritt FT1 Folding Tire
The Merritt FT1 folding tire is Brian Foster’s signature all-around tire, built to handle everything from trails to park and street sessions.
Its micro-knurled tread pattern keeps it smooth and fast in a straight line, while the more aggressive side tread adds serious corner traction, preventing slippage.
Moreover, the slightly raised micro-knobs on the edges provide extra grip on softer terrain without sacrificing a stable feel on pavement.
A foldable Kevlar bead keeps the weight down without giving up strength or reliability.
With a 110 PSI max pressure and a true 2.35” width, it delivers a fast, responsive ride with plenty of cushioning.
If you want one tire that can do it all and still feel dialed, the FT1 is a proven favorite among versatile riders.
- Weight: 22.2oz (629.4g)
- Max pressure: 110 PSI
- Price: $44.99 (may vary)
How To Make Your Folding BMX Tires Last Longer
Folding tires might be a little more delicate than the traditional ones (at least from my experience), but they are still built to last.
But you can make them last even longer by following my easy, friendly tips.
1. Keep Your Tire Pressure In Check
One of the simplest ways to extend the life of your tires is to ensure they’re always inflated to the right pressure.
Check the recommended PSI (usually found on the tire sidewall) and use a good-quality pump with a gauge.
Running your tires too low can lead to pinch flats and unnecessary wear, while over-inflating can make them prone to damage, especially on rough landings.
But if you particularly like low PSI, I recommend picking wider tires, like 38mm.
2. Avoid Skidding
We all love a good skid every now and then but try not to overdo it.
Constant skidding wears down the tread super fast, especially on folding tires with thinner tread designs.
Practice controlled braking — your tires (and your wallet) will thank you.
Sure, a few skids here and there won’t hurt much, but it’s better to avoid it altogether.
3. Check For Wear & Tear
Every few sessions, check your tires for signs of wear, such as balding spots, cracks, or sidewall damage.
Catching these issues early can help prevent blowouts or flats at the worst possible time.
If you spot trouble, consider rotating your front and rear tires to get more even wear.
When inspecting your tires, you should also pay close attention to tiny pieces of glass or other sharp items stuck into the rubber.
4. Avoid Sharp Objects
This one’s obvious but worth mentioning: whenever possible, avoid riding over sharp objects like glass, metal, or rough rocks.
Folding tires can be tough, but they’re not invincible.
If the ground is sketchy, I pick up my bike and carry it over.
But if it happens that there’s broken glass at a street spot or even at a skatepark, I make sure to properly clean it first.
5. Store Your Bike Right
When you’re not riding, ensure your bike is stored somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight.
Extreme heat or cold can mess with the rubber compound in your tires, causing them to age faster.
If you can, hang your bike up or keep it off its tires to reduce unnecessary pressure.
Also, if you ride at high PSI, deflate the tires a little when you are not using the bike for a longer time.
Further reading:
- How long do BMX tires last?
- Does BMX tire width matter? (Yes!)
- Best 2.1″ BMX Tires
- Best 2.2″ BMX Tires
- Best 2.3″ BMX Tires
- Best 2.4″ BMX Tires
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Note: This article was originally published on November 20, 2024. But I regularly review it and update it with necessary improvements for accuracy.
