When to change a road bike tyre

[Angelfishsolo]

It is pretty obvious when a MTB tyre is dead. No more tread. How do you know when a slick road tyre is at the end of its life?

 

[doog]

Ive used Bontrager race lites for the last 4 years, when I start getting an increase in punctures and they look cut to ribbons its usually time to change

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Ive used Bontrager race lites for the last 4 years, when I start getting an increase in punctures and they look cut to ribbons its usually time to change

Thanks. No earlier warning signs?

 

[biggs682]

i would go along with doogs comments as the tread pattern decreases and you are more prone to punctures , then keep a feel out for the tyre loosing shape if stood for a while

 

[Angelfishsolo]

i would go along with doogs comments as the tread pattern decreases and you are more prone to punctures , then keep a feel out for the tyre loosing shape if stood for a while

How about slicks - No tread at all?
A good hint about the tyre deforming

 

[doog]

Thanks. No earlier warning signs?

Nope, being slicks the rubber wears and punctures increase. For me its about every 1500 miles , i use these in 25mm

http://www.tredz.co....paign=Froogle01

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Nope, being slicks the rubber wears and punctures increase. For me its about every 1500 miles , i use these in 25mm

http://www.tredz.co....paign=Froogle01

OK thanks very much

 

[doog]

Thats just my experience mind, some racing guru ninja type may come along in a mo and offer you far better advice. They will note the weight of my tyre and mutter under their breadth that they would never use something so heavy blah blah blah

If someone does, I would be interested to know of any other signs, being a cheapskate I run my tyres to death.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Thats just my experience mind, some racing guru ninja type may come along in a mo and offer you far better advice. They will note the weight of my tyre and mutter under their breadth that they would never use something so heavy blah blah blah

If someone does, I would be interested to know of any other signs, being a cheapskate I run my tyres to death.

I paid £15 for my paid of yellow tyres so am not expecting much. I have the original ones as well. It is a sea change for me as MTBing is sooooo different in many respects

 

[gaz]

Best wayto tell is looking at the cuts on the tyre. If there are many of them and a few are deep then it's time to change.
That is if you want to avoid punctures. You could still get a few hundred out of a cut up tyre but you run an increased risk.
I will also change a tyre if I get several punctures in a few weeks or if I get a very bad puncture which damages a tyre.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Best wayto tell is looking at the cuts on the tyre. If there are many of them and a few are deep then it's time to change.
That is if you want to avoid punctures. You could still get a few hundred out of a cut up tyre but you run an increased risk.
I will also change a tyre if I get several punctures in a few weeks or if I get a very bad puncture which damages a tyre.

That makes prefect sense. Thank you Gaz.