How to know when to change the tires on your bicycle?

The tires are the main point of contact between the bicycle and the terrain. Therefore, they have a great impact on our performance on the pedals and the performance of the bicycle. In addition, it is one of the consumables that suffer the most wear and tear.

This is why, as the kilometers accumulate, it will be very important to be aware of their wear and to know the signs that indicate that the time has come to replace them. Try the best mountain bikes under 500. It is worth clarifying that throughout this text, the terms “rim” and “tire” refer to the toroidal piece of rubber that can either have an internal tube or be tubeless that is mounted on the rim of a bicycle.

How long does a bicycle tire last?

There are a number of factors that directly influence their service life, but most bicycle tires wear out after a few thousand kilometers. The level of wear can vary considerably depending on certain factors such as the quality of the materials, characteristics of the specific model, frequency of use, conditions in which it is rolled, and even the weather.

Although some brands offer tires that promise to last around 10,000 km, in practice, it is very likely that we will have to replace them as we approach 3,200 km or 3,500 km approximately. As already mentioned, depending on the use and conditions in which you use them, you may even need to change your covers more than once in the span of a year.

The parts of the bicycle cover

Rolling surface: Also known as the tread, it is the part that has contact with the ground. It is made up of a series of patterns with grooves and/or studs (or blocks) according to the type of use for which the rim is designed.

Flanks or sides: These are the side walls that make up the rim. In this section, you will also find information such as measurement and pressure to which you must inflate the tire.

Anti-puncture band: It is an additional band made of synthetic material: kevlar, nylon, etc., between the running surface and the carcass. Certain types of tires include this band to reduce the possibility of punctures.

Bead: it is the circular part and generally with a steel or Kevlar core that holds the rim to the rim.

7 signs your bike needs new tires

1. Cover pattern is worn

This signal is easy to detect as it is visible on the tread. The wear of grooves and/or lugs in the tread is a good indicator that it is ready to be replaced.

On-road bike tires or plain, patterned tires, you can identify wear by looking at it from the front. If the rim has a flat section at the top of the tread, it is time to replace the bike rims.

2. The tire’s rubber is cracked and dry

This deterioration occurs most often when the bicycle has not been used for long periods of time and can occur even if the bicycle is stored indoors.

However, if it is outside, the elements can accelerate wear, as rubber becomes brittle over time and changes in weather.

If cracks appear (often starting on the sides), replacing the covers with new ones is recommended as these will have a greater chance of failure.

3. The Cover has holes or cracks

The perforations are generally caused by debris from the road; glass, wire, and other sharp debris. This type of material tends to accumulate on the sides of the roads and special care must be taken in the rainy season.

In the case of cracks, in addition to being the result of perforations by embedded materials, they can also be the result of a blow with a sharp surface. In the city, it can be the result of a pothole. In the mountains, it can be the result of impact with a sharp stone.

If the damage is apparent, especially if the casing has been compromised, it is better to replace the damaged cover (s). Even if you use tubeless tires, even the best sealant is not enough when this type of deterioration occurs.

4. The rim casing is already visible

An exposed carcass is very obvious, as the threads that make it up will be visible. Although this generally happens on the side of the rim, allowing the tread to wear excessively will also expose the casing in this area.

Continue to use a tire with this wear. You will surely find yourself with a puncture quickly because that thin section of the carcass that was not designed to make contact with the road will facilitate punctures by having it exposed. Even the camera will come off exposing it. To blowouts that will be impossible to repair.

5. The rim shows deformation

This is usually noticeable when it happens in the area of ​​the tread because when you are pedaling, you may feel a slight bump or jump that is not normal. It is also common for it to happen on the sides, where it is easier to appreciate the anomaly. Generally, these deformations are the result of an impact, but sometimes it can be a manufacturing defect.

This type of deformation indicates that the structure of the rim has been compromised and becomes a weak point. Even if your tire is not losing air and apparently continues to work, it is advisable to change it before an accident happens or you end up halfway with a useless tire.

6. The bead of the cover is damaged

It is important to be aware of this type of wear. Although it is not very common on tires with good material, it is possible that it occurs on tires that have already exhausted their useful life or have suffered a cut with a sharp element. In extreme cases, even the core of the heel may have been completely exposed.

When this type of wear occurs, do not wait long to change the tire. Remember that the bead is the part that keeps the tire attached to the rim. So if you don’t want that rim to come out of its place, just at the moment you least expect, you have to take care to change the tire when there is any alteration in the bead.

7. You suffer from punctures more often

Frequent punctures are certainly a warning that tires need to be replaced, and this happens because the tread has lost thickness and is thin enough that it cannot protect the camera from sharp objects and you are constantly suffering from punctures.

Now that you are familiar with these signals, you can determine when to change them. As you accumulate kilometers, you will not cease to be amazed at how quickly the tires on your bike wear out or fail. This is normal.

You have probably noticed that the back cover wears out about twice as fast as the front one. And the experience or science behind the bike, which knows something about physics, weight, and other things, says that you want your front tire to show less wear to ensure a better ride. So often, we riders rotate the front tire back and replace the front tire with a new one.

However, when you are forced to change your tires, be sure to recycle your old tires and tubes, as well as to know the specific tire size for your rim, as well as all the necessary specifications to ensure a long life for those new tires.

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