They're pretty boring. Probably black. A little dirty. Just some rubber that meets the road.
You aren't thinking a lot about tires.
Fortunately for us, there are teams of scientists in Germany that do think a lot about bicycle tires (Fahrradreifen) and they have been since 1892.
From the impossibly quaint steepled village of Korbach, Germany comes a handmade tire called the Gatorskin. It's light, strong, fast, and tacky. It rolls well, grips well, and fends off punctures even better.
Previously available only in car tires, the top tread is underlaid with a densely woven polyester fiber, making it one of the most puncture resistant tires on the market.
The brown thatched sidewalls indicate Conti's (that's right, we call them Conti) DuraSkin technology. DuraSkin is an extremely tough but flexible anti-cut fabric that protects the tire's casing and increases it's lifespan.
Gatorskins even come with a wear indicator, removing any guesswork. Two small divots on either side of the center seam indicate life. Once the divots disappear from wear, it's time to replace the tire.
If your bike is ready for new shoes, click here to get your Gatorskins. It'll be the last time you think about tires (for a long while), and that's a good thing.
For our complete Oversimplified guide to tire shopping, click here.