Tyre Caliper Measuring Tool – Cheapest digital Vernier caliper that works well for occasional use

A widely followed trend in modern cycling is to opt for wider tyres and lower tyre pressures than were historically the norm. I don’t want to go down that rabbit hole today.

This short article recommends a cheap but accurate tyre CALIPER MEASURING tool. The need for this tool is because the actual tyre width is often very different than the stated tyre width on the box.

The ACTUAL, inflated tyre width is the one that you should use in your optimal tyre pressure calculation. A 1-2mm difference in tyre width really can make a notable difference in optimal tyre pressure.

Bike Tyre Pressure Calculator

Use This: Silca has the best, free tyre pressure calculator. Here.

That calculator needs the actual tyre width for it to be correct.

Digital Vernier Caliper

I bought a KYNUP Vernier calliper for £9 from Amazon UK and it has 10,000 positive reviews, this unbranded one on Amazon.com is $7 with 37,000 positive reviews!! Here is one from the EU but more expensive at Eur20.

You can use this tool to measure the internal rim width, the external rim width of your wheel and the inflated width of your tyre.

Notes

• You will find that the internal rim width of your wheel has a big impact on the measured inflated width of the tyre
• Rather than ‘buying the widest tyre you can because some YouTube guy says so’, take a little time to research the recommendations of your wheel manufacturer, especially if aero is a consideration for you rather than just rolling resistance. A super-wide tyre that’s 4mm wider than the rims on each side definitely won’t be aero.
• Two 26mm tyres from two different brands may each have different installed widths at the same pressure.

High-End Calipers

You probably won’t need these…

• USA: Mitutoyo 500-196-30 – $108
• GB – Mitutoyo 500-196-30 £100
• EUR – Mitutoyo 500-196-30 0 Eur125