Folding tyre vs wire bead?

[rafiki]

Is there any advantage except compactness to paying extra for folding tyres? I'm comparing prices of Panaracer Fire XC folding and wire and there is quite a bit of difference. I won't be packing these tyres.

 

[fossyant]

Lighter and easier to fit/remove....

 

[youngoldbloke]

Folding are much lighter - about 200gm per tyre in this case - about 600 v 800 (and 200gm is about the weight of a fast 23 road tyre!)

 

[02GF74]

yep - folding is lighter and much more easier to fit/remove.

I have had or have seen a few wired tyres with worn plies over the wire so the two beging to part company, ok, these are probably cheap tyres but not had that on folding one, ok, I have used fewer of these so it is early days.

also folders are easy to flip inside out when you are looking for that thorn.