When to replace tyres?

[Markymark]

Are there any 'tells' like car tyres? When do I need to replace? I've done around 4,000 miles commuting in London on them.

 

[HLaB]

Are there any 'tells' like car tyres? When do I need to replace? I've done around 4,000 miles commuting in London on them.

Are you getting more p'tures than normal, if so inspect and potentially replace, if not carry on. Some tyres however, like Conti Grand Prix have wear markers (it might be unique to Conti, Ive never seen them elsewhere) two little holes on the tread that gradually dissappear when the tyre is worn.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks. No more than normal (1 in last 6 months) but its quite potted with tiny holes. Not 100% sure about grip which is the thing that's concerning me.

No use looking for holes as I don't know if/where I had them and would find it difficult looking for something that's not there!

 

[byegad]

A rash of deflations is the usual sign you should have swapped them last week. Unlike car tyres bike tyres don't aquaplane even bald tyres in a deluge will continue to grip.

 

[HLaB]

Thanks. No more than normal (1 in last 6 months) but its quite potted with tiny holes. Not 100% sure about grip which is the thing that's concerning me.

No use looking for holes as I don't know if/where I had them and would find it difficult looking for something that's not there!

If its lack of tread don't worry as said above bike tyres are too narrow too aquaplane. Some tires will actually break down and actually be more grippier with age.

 

[Markymark]

Ok, that's good to know, thanks.

 

[Acyclo]

On ordinary tyres when the tread is worn out. On Specialized All Condition Armadillos when you can see the air.....</Joke>

 

[Blue Hills]

As above, run them into the ground until you start to get frequent punctures. You should of course check regularly for any debris in the tyres, particularly before a long ride - do that and there's no need to worry about the inevitable small cuts the tyres will collect. Keep an eye on the sidewall though if following this system - sometimes that will go first.

 

[MikeG]

Some tyres however, like Conti Grand Prix have wear markers (it might be unique to Conti, Ive never seen them elsewhere) two little holes on the tread that gradually dissappear when the tyre is worn.

Thanks!!! I wondered what those were.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Are you getting more p'tures than normal, if so inspect and potentially replace, if not carry on. Some tyres however, like Conti Grand Prix have wear markers (it might be unique to Conti, Ive never seen them elsewhere) two little holes on the tread that gradually dissappear when the tyre is worn.

The latest Schwalbe Marathons have wear markers like on a car tyre.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Basically buy a new tyre. Fit it to the front, and put the front on the back.
That way you will always have the best grip in the front, which matters most.
Buy a new tyre when the rear (having been on the front) is not up to much.
That is subjective, but rotating tyres is much better than buying new pairs.
Long term it allows you to afford better quality tyres, that is good.

rgds, sreten.

Front tyres last much longer than the rear, and rotating them means
you get the best out of them, with always a near pristine front tyre.
In fact front tyres are almost impossible to wear out and if you
don't rotate tyres they usually succumb to age related issues,
which is not good, you want your best tyre on the front, always.

 

[Blue Hills]

Hi,

Fit it to the front, and put the front on the back.
That way you will always have the best grip in the front, which matters most.

Can you explain how a more worn tyre grips less on a road surface, since of course many folk ride on slicks and they "grip" perfectly well. I appreciate that the situation is different for mountain bike tyres on loose/muddy surfaces.

 

[raleighnut]

Can you explain how a more worn tyre grips less on a road surface, since of course many folk ride on slicks and they "grip" perfectly well. I appreciate that the situation is different for mountain bike tyres on loose/muddy surfaces.

He's just saying that when a rear tyre needs replacing then put the new one on the front and the front onto the rear as front tyres wear less and can degrade before they wear out. When I do this I make sure to keep the direction of rotation of the tyre the same as well.

 

[Blue Hills]

He's just saying that when a rear tyre needs replacing then put the new one on the front and the front onto the rear as front tyres wear less and can degrade before they wear out. When I do this I make sure to keep the direction of rotation of the tyre the same as well.

Thanks for the reply raleigh - I read the post too quickly and was up early - but at the risk of being a grumpy Friday afternoon wotsit, the direction of travel is surely irrelevant as well for road tyres. all the best

 

[HLaB]

Thanks for the reply raleigh - I read the post too quickly and was up early - but at the risk of being a grumpy Friday afternoon wotsit, the direction of travel is surely irrelevant as well for road tyres. all the best

I read it as me makes sure the new tyre is on the front but rotates the old front to the rear. Its a rule I stick too basically you dont want to put a potentially rear tyre to the front which might blow, as a blow out on the rear is generally controlable and a blow out on the front less so. I don't think they are reffering to the individual rotating direction of each tyre which is pretty irrelevant.