The good condition of a bicycle's tires determines its stability and handling, which directly affects the cyclist's safety. Worn tires or treads seriously increase the risk of falling and, consequently, injury. In addition to the damage caused to the bicycle itself. That is why it is crucial to know when it is time to replace them with new ones. The lifespan of a tire varies depending on its material, type, and use. But there are general guidelines and common symptoms that will indicate when it is time to discard old tires and replace them with new ones.
Factors that influence tire wear
The wear of a bicycle's tires depends on two types of factors:
External: terrain, type, and riding style
This includes the type of terrain, weather conditions, the type of cycling practiced, and the cyclist's riding style. Generally, tires wear out faster on dry and rough surfaces than on wet and smooth ones. However, moisture can also negatively affect the rubber and compounds of the tread. You also have to take into account the type of cycling (road, mountain, gravel, etc.) and how the bike is handled, to either extend or shorten the tire's lifespan. An MTB tire will generally have a shorter lifespan than a road tire. On the other hand, a more aggressive and technical cyclist will need tires with more resistant and durable rubber than someone who rides leisurely on flat terrain.
Internal: tire material and construction
This refers to the actual construction of the tire, its materials, and also its measurements. Every tire is built with two layers. The first is the tread, made of rubber with knobs or patterns to increase grip and traction. The second layer is the casing, the inner layer made of nylon weave that determines the lightness and protection against punctures. A thinner tread with smaller knobs or patterns will roll faster and enhance speed. But wear due to friction with the ground will be faster. The casing, for its part, does not determine the tire's wear but rather its weight and protection against punctures.
When to replace your bicycle tires
2020/11/ciclista-mtb-2-1.jpg"> To know if a tire is worn, you need to examine the tread, that is, its outer surface. However, the verification will be different depending on the type of tire used for each cycling discipline. Below, we indicate the symptoms that will help us know that the tire is worn and it is time to replace it, depending on whether it is a mountain bike or a road bike tire.
Wear on mountain bike tires
The first symptom of a worn tire can be found in the central part of the tread. If the knobs have lost most of their height or have completely disappeared, you'll need to replace the tire. Don't wait until the side knobs, which are generally larger and more durable, are also worn out.
The main sign of wear is in the central band. If it is very smooth, the stability of the bike will be compromised, as well as its resistance to punctures.
Wear on road bike tires
Checking wear on a road tire is different, due to the absence of knobs. You should mainly look at the profile or silhouette. An unworn tire has a curved profile from sidewall to sidewall. When this curve becomes flat, it means it's worn and should be replaced. In addition, there are other signs that indicate road tire wear. Some of them have small grooves or patterns to increase grip in wet, cobbled, etc. conditions. If this pattern disappears or fades, the tire is asking to be replaced. Likewise, the appearance of cracks or cuts in the tread signals the end of its useful life.
How to replace the tires on my bicycle
The replacement process is very simple, although a certain skill is required to separate the tire beads from the rim's side rails. It is enough to completely deflate the wheel and, with your hands, push the tire's sidewall firmly toward the center of the rim to create a gap at the side, from where you can start separating both. To remove the bead, you can use tire levers. However, if you use an inner tube, you should insert them carefully so as not to pinch it and cause a puncture. Sometimes this process can be more complicated than you think, especially if you have tubeless tires, because the sealant may have glued the tire to the rim or the sidewalls, making removal very difficult. If this happens, try pumping a little air back in with the pump to unstick it, then deflate again. In these cases, you need to be patient and separate the bead little by little.
Main risks of riding with worn tires
The first direct consequence of riding with worn-out tires or pushing them beyond their limit is the loss of grip and stability on the bike. This is especially noticeable when taking corners and climbing on dirty or loose surfaces. This can cause unexpected reactions, the bike may suddenly become uncontrollable, and you may lose your balance. And the inevitable result is a fall. On the other hand, a sign of wear and a clear consequence of not having changed the tires when you should have is an unusual increase in punctures. The tread is thinner and smoother, and any sharp object, no matter how small, can easily pierce it and the casing. Overall, the bike's performance is affected. The suspension doesn't feel the same, handling is clumsier, and it requires more muscular effort. All these setbacks add up, reducing your performance and, ultimately, preventing you from enjoying your bike ride.
Recommendations to make your bike tires last longer
2021/04/rueda-1.jpg"> Finally, we want to share some very simple tips or tricks that you can apply in your day-to-day routine to increase the lifespan of your tires:
Inflate the tires to the proper pressure
Excessive or insufficient pressure is one of the main causes of accelerated tire wear. That’s why it’s important to know the correct pressure for your bike tires. To get as close as possible to the ideal amount, you can consult the manufacturer’s recommended pressure tables and then increase or decrease the pressure depending on the type of route, wheel position (front or rear), terrain condition, or your riding style, among other factors.
Check the pressure frequently
You should also check before each ride that the pressure hasn’t dropped. The main manufacturers recommend doing this at least once a month. But we recommend doing it every time you go for a ride. Always riding with the correct pressure results in less wear.
Keep the rest of the bike in good condition
The suspension, brakes, gears... Keeping all the bike’s components in good condition also results in less tire wear. Misadjusted brakes or brakes with poor feel, for example, will cause the tire to skid or not stop when it should.
Don’t make unnecessary skids
Drifting exponentially increases the wear of the tread. That's why you should avoid doing it unnecessarily. Take curves at a moderate speed, also using your body to stay on the racing line and avoid touching the brakes as little as possible.
Avoid sudden changes in speed
Very aggressive driving with hard accelerations and braking undermines the tire's durability. On the road, for example, when facing the descent of a mountain pass it is more efficient and safer to take the curves in a controlled manner, modulating the braking, than to go down at full speed just to gain a few seconds that in many cases will be marginal.
Avoid rough surfaces and dirty shoulders
Continuing with examples from road cycling, riding on roads with good asphalt will end up extending the lifespan of your tires. To achieve this, avoid, as much as possible, riding on bumpy roads or on very dirty shoulders. All these details contribute to the degradation of the rubber and the loss of grip.