Tyres' longevity?

[samid]

Just curious, how many touring miles do you get out of your tyres on average? Do you replace them so to say preventively or wait till they are really worn out? (Right now getting ready for my trip to Scotland I find myself looking at a still rather good pair of tyres on my bike and wanting to replace them with a new pair, simply because as Michelin ads go "so much is riding on them" and it seems better to maybe waste the cost of a new pair rather than risk too many flats or a blowout during the tour... so thought I'd ask what others do/think on the matter...)

 

[andym]

Schwalbe have published a very useful document with technical information about tyres including how many miles you can expect to get out of them. IIRc between 5 and 15 thousand kilometres (the latter for XRs).

If they look fine they probably are - if they look worn they probably are.

And it's not like you are going to the middle of nowhere. Worst case: a phone call or a few minutes on the interweb will get you a new tyre the next morning. Mybe a wee bit longer for the Highlands and Islands.

 

[shirokazan]

My Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres have done about 6-7000km over the last two years, I estimate (with no punctures). They are starting to show signs of a reasonable amount of wear but I think they'll be good for the rest of the year. So far, I've yet to leave tyres on until they've fallen apart because, for the sake of a relatively small amount of money, I'd rather have the peace of mind brought about by starting a week or so's tour on a fresh pair.

 

[corshamjim]

I occasionally hear of people putting on a new tyre only to hit the wrong sort of debris and have to replace it after only a few miles. So my M+ tyres on the commuter will stay on until the tread is gone.

The road bike however has whatever tyres it came with. As soon as I get a puncture I'll replace them - probably with M+

 

[HelenD123]

How far's your Scottish tour Samid? It doesn't sound like they need changing. Also, you might not have to change both tires. I reckon my front ones last about 3 times as long as the rear on my tourer carrying a heavy load.

 

[samid]

Thanks for your replies guys. My current tyres are definitely still usable. But 2 years ago I had a nasty experience with a blown out tyre which I think was partly caused by it being worn out, so now I guess I am overly cautious in this regard. Helen - you're absolutely right, the rear tyre is much more worn out. So maybe replacing just it would be a good compromise.

 

[arallsopp]

Why not buy replacement tyres now (you *will* need them eventually), put them on the bike a week before your tour starts, then swap them back out when you get home?

That way you can ride your current set to destruction, and know that the very day they start to look a little too scary you can have an almost new tyre on hand to replace it.

 

[hubbike]

I have worn out a tyre in a day! it was a cheap tyre I bought in Chile on the careterra austral. wore through from the gravel riding and had a big slash through the side wall. not good longevity.

on the other hand, when I got a pair of shwalbe marathon XRs in northern chile they lasted all the way to venezuela without a puncture...so I'd recommend them.

 

[samid]

Thanks for the replies guys. I heard/read good things about Schwalbe tyres elsewhere too - so I ended up ordering a pair of Marathon Supreme's, 700 x 32mm - slightly wider than my current 28mm wide Contis. Will see how it fits/feels.