“The manufacturers can’t make the tires fast enough,” said David Pierce, a senior buyer at Quality Bicycle Products, one of the country’s biggest parts distributors, who reported a 200-percent increase in sales of the tires this year.

Image Credit... Natasha Calzatti for The New York Times

Ramona Marks and Ted Liscinski, carless volunteers at a nonprofit bike repair shop in Los Angeles, the Bicycle Kitchen, tested five pairs of tires while commuting and running errands around the Southland.

The tires tested, in the order they appear (left to right) in the photo in the photo above:

VITTORIA RUBINO TECH II $29.99 www.bikesomewhere.com. Mr. Liscinski’s favorite, this tire found the sweet spot amid form, function and economy. The all-black tire’s aesthetic was “nice” and “clean.” After riding over a “bunch of potholes, it held up just fine.” And “the tiniest amount of tread” ensures “that if you are running over a piece of wet ground, you don’t have to worry about slipping.”

CONTINENTAL ULTRA GATORSKIN $34.99, www.downtownbicycles.com. Mr. Liscinski put the Gatroskin’s reputation of flat protection to the test by running over glass, and days later reported “no problems — I haven’t lost any air.” With “not much of a tread” they were ideal for riders who “want to go a little faster” or for commuters who hate changing flats. His one complaint? “They’re expensive” but “they’ll last quite a while if you don’t skid.”

PANARACER PASELA $17.99, www.nashbar.com. Ms. Marks prefers a slick tire, but she “loved” the Panaracer. It was “easy to get on,” and the Pasela’s minimal tread provided a “subtle” but “softer ride.” “Going over cracks in the pavement, I’m not fearful anymore.” She also unintentionally rode over “a lot of glass” and “they were fine.” And she liked their appearance, which she described as “pretty and classic.”