Bicycle tyre maintenance is probably one of THE most important things a cyclist should know about. Take it from me, I’ve suffered from flat tyres and had to walk my bike back home plenty of times. It’s really important to have a good idea of of how long do bicycle tyres last?
On average, most bicycle tyres last around 1000-3000 miles or approx 1600-4800 kms with the more expensive variety of bike tyres lasting 2500-4000 miles (Approx 4000- 6400 km). Age and storage conditions, differential wear and tear on front and rear tyres also tends to affect their life.
If you have a road bike, then the above figures will be a good guiding factor for you.
However, if you have a mountain bike, then estimating the life of your bike tyres is slightly difficult. This is because, even though mountain bike tyres are tougher, the variable terrain causes increased wear and tear that can’t be estimated as accurately.
For these reasons, you need to know the causes and signs of wear and tear on bicycle tyres, as well identifying the serious ones out of them, which will require you to change your bike tyre.
Regardless of whether you ride road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes or any other variety- you should know everything I cover in this post because it will make your cycling safer.
What Causes Wear and Tear of Bicycle Tyres
1. Riding With Less Than Optimal Tyre Pressure.
This can cause wear and tear of the tyre to be accelerated. In extreme cases this can even damage the inner tube.
2. Weight Of The Rider.
If you are overweight, then expect the tyres to wear out slightly quicker due to the increased weight they have to sustain. My riding partner, Col. Pande was a bit overweight when he started cycling, but in our experience, the amount of wear and tear on the cycle tyres wasn’t noticeably more than mine.
3. Riding Surface.
If you have a road bike and only ride on smooth, paved roads your tyres will wear out slower than if you’re off roading on a mountain bike. I have been cycling around Delhi for almost two years now, and the roads here have their fair share of potholes and uneven, gravelly sections, due to which my bike’s tyres wear out a bit quicker than normal.
4. Exposure To The Elements.
There are three environmental factors that you must avoid exposing your bike tyres to:
- UV radiation. If you store your bike any place where it is in contact with sunlight- either direct or indirect, say through a glass window, that exposes it to UV radiation reduces it’s life.
- Temperature Extremes. Exposing your bike to very hot or cold temperatures will cause quicker wear and tear. This is common if you store your bike outside during winters or in my case in India- during summers.
- Exposure to Ozone. Indoors, there are a lot of things that emit ozone such as electric motors, pumps, furnaces, certain types of air purifiers, laundry treatment devices, etc. Ozone breaks down the rubber in tyres.
The solution to the above three factors is to simply find a nice, cool spot indoors away from any appliances that might emit ozone.
5. Rear vs Front Tyre.
Your bike’s rear tyre holds more weight and wears out faster than front tyre. This means that you will likely have to replace the rear tyre earlier than the front one. If you’re replacing the rear tyre, many cyclists recommend shifting the front tyre to the rear and placing the new tyre up front, as it gives you more control (the front tyre is most important for steering). I like to change both tyres as and when they get worn out, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
When To Replace Your Bicycle Tyre
1. The Tyre Punctures Frequently
Even though I have detailed all the points above, if you are a beginner, you can’t be expected to clearly identify the stages of wear and tear on a bicycle tyre- that part comes with experience.
The one clear indicator that you need to replace your tyre is if you get a flat tyre If you’ve started getting flat tyres/punctures frequently, then this means it’s time to change your tyre. More than once in the span of a month is a sufficient indicator.
2. The Tyre Treads Are Worn Out.
If you have anything except a road bike, you’ll notice there are raised grooves or treads on your bike’s tyres. These get worn out with use. Always look for the treads in the centre of your bike, as the ones on the sides don’t really get worn out as fast as the centre treads, so your decision to replace should be based on how worn out the centre treads are.
A Road bike tyre will be completely smooth and won’t have treads, so you’ll have to use your hands to feel and check the tyre- if it is noticeably thinner in the centre than the sides, you should replace it. This might be a bit tough for newbies, so many road bike tyre manufacturers also give different indicators on the tyres themselves to show when the tyre needs to be replaced. One manufacturer I found on the internet makes little indentations on the tyre, and when you can barely make those out, it means you need to replace the tyre.
3. Cracks or Cuts on The Sidewalls.
Cracks or cuts don’t have to mean you need to replace the tyre immediately, just know to keep an eye out for them. If there are any large cracks or if you see a cluster of cuts somewhere, then the tyre is probably weak in that spot and should be replaced.
4. Lumps/ Bulges On The Tyre
Run you hands along the tyre. If you feel lumps or bulges in any place, then this means your tyre needs to be replaced ASAP or it could blow out on your next cycling trip.
When Should You Replace Your Bicycle Tyre’s Tube?
Generally, beginners should change the tube along with the tyre, because in most cases- the tyre needs to be replaced due to repeated punctures. Even if that is not the case, it is good practice to change the tubes along with the tyre (approximately after 1000-3000 miles or 1600-4800 km.
Cost Of Replacing A Bicycle Tyre And/Or Tube
An average road bike or mountain bike tyre set costs approx 50-100$. A tube will cost around 10$ (just be sure whether you need a tube with a presta valve or schrader valve)
If you want to change your bike tyres, this one on Amazon is the best reviewed one for road bikes.
For mountain bikes, you should take a look at this set of tyres on Amazon.