When should I be replacing my tires?

bikeman242

Active Member
Just passed 3000 miles on my original MTB tires, Schwalbe Nobby Nic.

When should I be replacing them? They seem to be fine. There is still some tread left.

This is the highest mileage bicycle I have owned.
 
I would say when the tread is pretty much gone. I have a two year old rad rover with the original Kendas and about 3500 miles on them and they still have some tread. Rear a bit more worn than the front. I'm just a casual rider though and don't do high speed riding on loose surfaces.
 
When I upgraded my Rad to the 35A controller , I went thru the kenda tires and brakes fairly quickly . I was also mostly riding on street at the time. With my middrive bafang ultra the tires last a lot longer, however most of my riding is now trails.

So it probably comes down to total weight (rider + bike) and max torque thru the drivetrain.
 
It's not a mileage thing -- not directly -- it's really a matter of what the tread looks like, where you ride, at least to some extent, your riding style, and when you're ready to spend a few bucks. Tires are pretty cheap per mile so don't wait too long, but if they look okay they probably are.

TT
 
Before they look like the one on the right.
 

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Check your side walls too for deterioration. I rode a set of tyres for about the same length of time and the side wall gave way, left a bulge that I thought would pop on the way home - luckily it managed to hold out!
 
Excited to watch this thread, I have 1300 miles on my tires and am shocked how well they lasted. I’ve thought about rotating the front and back but we’ll see if that actually happens. Glad to hear at 3k miles your tires are going strong. I only ride on the road.
 
My advice, for what it is worth is that tires should be replaced when they begin to affect handling or performance. Good tires are not cheap, but not changing them can cost you a lot more, even your life or well being. A good tire also makes the riding experience better while a poor or worn tire can lessen your cycling pleasure.

If the tires are worn, do not reuse the tubes. The tubes are subjected to wear from friction with the tire and heat, (good tubes used to come with talc on them so that they wouldn’t stick to the tire. I still talc my tubes before installing and I always keep a new, talced tube in an old cycling sock inside my saddlebag). I never scrimp on tires, tubes or brakes.
 
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The best time to replace your tire is based on your status of tires. First, check tire patterns, if they are worn or bald tread, you can lose grip when biking. Rubber chipping, dull, dry, and brittle tires also indicate damaged sidewalls or cracked bike tires. In addition, the tire squaring off is also an indication that the tire needs a replacement.
 
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The best tires for road riding are from Conti and Schwalbe, and they're much cheaper in German stores. Order from Rosebikes or Bike24.
When I upgraded my Rad to the 35A controller , I went thru the kenda tires and brakes fairly quickly . I was also mostly riding on street at the time. With my middrive bafang ultra the tires last a lot longer, however most of my riding is now trails.

So it probably comes down to total weight (rider + bike) and max torque thru the drivetrain.
Curious about the relationship with torque. Got any links?
 
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