Interesting! Just to clarify the WTB Byway tires we tested were the
aftermarket model. The previous owner of the bike had bought them at a bike
shop and installed them just prior to selling the bike. In the future we'll
include the source of the tires in the reviews. I've added that info to the
That difference between OEM and aftermarket tires has been a bugaboo in
every vehicular market, not just bicycles. It's lying. They pay a supplier
to place an objectively good product's label on a tire that simply isn't
what the label says. Ask Ford about their OEM Firestone rim protectors that
Thank you for the encouragement. As to the difference between OEM and
retail tires I can see using a wire bead instead of folding to reduce the
cost. That's not the case here. All the tires we tested have folding beads.
I'll add that to the specs. If a different casing is used you'd expect the
