The wheels are one of the components of the bicycle most exposed to wear from use and the accumulation of kilometers. Many cyclists mistakenly believe that they last forever and only worry about replacing the tires when they are completely worn out, without considering other elements that are also subject to wear, such as the spokes or the rim of the wheel. Neglecting proper wheel maintenance causes several of their components to show fatigue much earlier than their intended lifespan, leading to very negative effects on pedaling or the handling of the entire bike. This even affects the cyclist's own safety, as wheels in poor condition are one of the main accident risks when riding a bicycle, both for road bikes and mountain bikes.

Signs that your wheels need to be replaced

Knowing how to identify the condition of your wheels and all their elements is very important to keep your bicycle in perfect condition and avoid scares. By paying attention to these five aspects that we explain below, you will be able to know if they are in good condition, if a repair or replacement of any component is needed, or if you directly need to change your wheels for new ones.

1. The braking surface is deformed

This is a problem faced by cyclists with road bikes and caliper brakes. The braking surface on the side of the rim is exposed to constant friction from the brake pads when braking. Over time, and if both the surfaces and the pads are not cleaned well after each ride, the outer layer and the surface itself wear down. How can you tell that this wear has reached its limit? Just touch the braking surface. If it has a concave shape instead of being straight, that is already a sign of significant wear. Additionally, some models have a small groove or indentation on the surface. If it fades or disappears, it means the rims will need to be replaced with new ones. On the other hand, if a lot of residue has accumulated, such as rubber from the pads, you should also consider changing the wheels. You can also try to recover them with a very thorough cleaning. To prevent premature wear of the brake track, it is important to clean the rims properly. Cleaning after every ride will prevent wear and give you optimal braking if you use rim brakes. In this Velodrom video, they explain which products to use and how to clean them properly:

2- The rim is dented or cracked

When the rim shows several dents, dings, and is especially cracked, it's time to start thinking about replacing it with a new one. This is a problem especially present in mountain biking, where rims are more exposed to impacts from rocks, branches, sand, etc. Localized dents or dings in aluminum rims can be fixed, even at home. At MTB-MAG they explain in more detail how to repair this type of damage. However, you will need to get a special wrench to straighten it, as well as a wheel truing stand. As for carbon rims, the process is much more complicated. You need to sand the affected area well and have specific carbon patches to replace the damaged layers. These must be glued, molded with heat (in a specific oven), and then sanded again. Logically, due to its complexity and cost, we recommend that this repair is carried out by a professional. And in some more serious cases, it is best to replace the wheels with new ones.

3. The spokes suffer fatigue or are broken

Continuous breaking or deformation of spokes is another clear sign of wheel wear. Occasionally, a nipple or the spoke itself may break. But if this problem persists, it's because they have accumulated a lot of fatigue after years of use and can hardly be tightened. It may also be due to the rim being in poor condition or deformed, generating irregular tensions that also affect the spokes and end up deforming or breaking them.

4. The hub makes noises

Noises in the hubs due to bearing breakage, play from misalignments, or the accumulation of dirt can be repaired without too much complication. Even the cost at a mechanic's workshop is not very high. But the persistence of the problem can affect both spokes and rims, increasing the wear of the whole assembly. We recommend you perform an internal inspection and cleaning of the hubs once a year, followed by lubrication. This will increase their lifespan, which also benefits the spokes and the rim. This way, the wheel will have smooth and precise rolling and you will avoid having to replace it prematurely.

5. The tire knobs are worn

👉 Do you know how to identify a worn tire from one in good condition?

The signs of wear are different depending on whether we are talking about a mountain bike tire, a gravel or a road bike. Riding with worn tires has a series of negative consequences that we detail below:

Loss of grip and stability

Using a tire with its knobs or tread worn or faded implies significant loss of grip, especially in corners and on wet surfaces, or very dry ones in the case of MTB. It also affects the bike's own stability and balance when riding. The loss of grip or grip considerably increases the risk of falling

Increase in punctures

Whether you use an inner tube or not (tubeless), a very worn tire increases the chances of getting a puncture, sealant leaks, or a blowout that causes you to instantly lose all the air.

More wear for the rest of the wheel

The tire is the component that is in continuous contact with the ground. Let's say it is the first filter for vibrations and impacts coming from the surface. That's why a tire in good condition helps the rest of the wheel's elements suffer less tension or fatigue. So, riding with worn-out treads or, in the case of road bikes, with no tread, will make the rim and spokes work harder and increase their wear. It's better to change the tires in time than to push their use to the limit and damage more expensive components, such as the rim itself.

In addition to the loss of grip and stability, a tire in poor condition will generate more fatigue in the rim. 2020/11/ciclista-mtb-2-1.jpg">

Risks of riding with worn wheels

In conclusion, neglecting the maintenance of your wheels and not analyzing the condition of each of their elements leads to poorer overall bike performance and causes the different wheel components to wear out faster. Also, riding with some of these components worn (rim, spokes, hubs, etc.) has the following consequences:

Poorer handling and control

Wheels have certain levels of vertical, lateral, or torsional stiffness. Wear on rims, hubs, spokes, or tires alters the structural stiffness of the wheel. This results in unexpected reactions when riding, compromising your handling.

Loss of comfort

Wheels with components in poor condition create play, noises, and unstable sliding on the surface, forcing you to make an extra effort to maintain control. This extra effort uses up more energy, affecting your physical performance.

Risk of breakage and falling

Finally, and in extreme cases of wear and lack of maintenance, the rims or spokes may break or crack suddenly when going over an obstacle or curb.

These situations are uncommon, but that risk is still present. So, we recommend that you thoroughly check the condition of the metal parts of the wheel (rim, spokes, and hubs) once a year. The condition of the tires should be checked at least once a month. This way, we will avoid these types of problems and our bike will work optimally.