When should you replace a Schwalbe Marathon+ tyre?

[Waspie]

Just checked the tyres on my commute bike for the first time in about a year.

Turns out there is no tread left on the rear tyre and a number of fairly deep cuts into the puncture protection layer. None of the cuts are bigger than half a cm or so.

I've not had any problems with handling and no (whisper it) punctures.

Is it time to buy a new rear tyre or does the thickness of these tyres mean there is still a bit of life left in them?

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Run it until it starts puncturing, but start shopping around for a replacement in the right size.

 

[marinyork]

Wouldn't worry too much, they get weird little niks in some daft places.

 

[Waspie]

Cheers folks.

I'll soldier on with the tyre just now but just keep a closer eye on things.

 

[andrew_s]

I'd keep going until the blue stuff was showing (in worn patches rather than cuts).

 

[Davidc]

Might be time to get at least one spare in stock, ready for when you need it.

 

[Waspie]

You are probably right about the spare.

Seeing the number of cuts, it's amazing how many punctures I've avoided using these tyres. Well worth the extra weight for commuting I think.

 

[Mick]

According to Schwalbe, when should a tyre be replaced:

"In bicycle tires the tread is far less important than for instance in car
tires. So using a tire with a worn out tread is less of a problem, that is
of course with the exception of MTB tires.​

When the puncture protection belt or the carcass threads can be seen

through the tread the tire has reached its wear limit and must be
replaced. Because puncture resistance also depends on the thickness
of the tread layer it may be useful to replace the tire sooner.​

The sidewalls of tires often fail before the tread is worn out. In
most cases, this premature failure is due to prolonged use of the
tire with insufficient pressure. Checking and adjusting the inflation
pressure at least once a month with a pressure gauge is​

most important." Source: http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/shopdata/files/TechInfo2-GB.pdf

Somewhere in their tech data they mention (in relation to tread on road tyres) that it is theoretically possible to aquaplane on a bike - at about 200km/h !! Their picture of a worn tyre shows a pretty much continuous band of punture protection strip showing through so, the consistent advice seems to be run it until it's visibly worn out.

 

[Waspie]

According to Schwalbe, when should a tyre be replaced:

"In bicycle tires the tread is far less important than for instance in car
tires. So using a tire with a worn out tread is less of a problem, that is
of course with the exception of MTB tires.​

When the puncture protection belt or the carcass threads can be seen

through the tread the tire has reached its wear limit and must be
replaced. Because puncture resistance also depends on the thickness
of the tread layer it may be useful to replace the tire sooner.​

The sidewalls of tires often fail before the tread is worn out. In
most cases, this premature failure is due to prolonged use of the
tire with insufficient pressure. Checking and adjusting the inflation
pressure at least once a month with a pressure gauge is​

most important." Source: http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/shopdata/files/TechInfo2-GB.pdf

Somewhere in their tech data they mention (in relation to tread on road tyres) that it is theoretically possible to aquaplane on a bike - at about 200km/h !! Their picture of a worn tyre shows a pretty much continuous band of punture protection strip showing through so, the consistent advice seems to be run it until it's visibly worn out.

Thanks for that. Sounds like the definitive answer.

I'm sad enough to find that pdf you linked quite interesting.