Mountain bike tires are tough. Designed for hard terrain and fast living, when you get a new set it feels like they are indestructible. So, how do you know when to change mountain bike tires?
Basically, you should change your tires based on recommended mileage or by visible signs of wear such as cracked rubber, a worn-out tread, or obvious signs of leakage. We’ll elaborate on this today so that you have a complete picture of what to watch out for.
Average Mileage of Mountain Bike Tires
Mountain bikes tires are indeed durable, typically lasting between 3000 and 8000 miles of use. Now, if your chosen terrain includes a lot of sharp rocks and exposed roots then this is going to drop their efficacy to around 1000 miles. Sticking to a mix can get you a little of both worlds without dramatically reducing your tires lifespan.
Other Signs for Knowing When to Change Mountain Bike Tires
Of course, there are obvious signs that you shouldn’t ignore if you see them. Unlike standard bike tires, mountain bike tires shouldn’t simply be ‘patched’ with an over-the-counter patch kit as this is a good way to get hurt. Replace your mountain bike tires immediately if you see any of the signs below:
- Cuts or holes
- Obvious wear on the casing
- Damaged or abraded tread
- Visible bubbling the in the rubber
- Cracked rubber
- Obvious leakage (even with no visible punctures)
Final thoughts
Cross-country biking is a pleasure and if you take care of your bike then you’ll share many an adventure together as the years go by. Be sure to pay close attention after every outing to your tires so that you can catch any telltale signs that it’s time for a replacement.
Be as extreme as you like, just make sure that your tires are as up to it as you are!
