When should you replace the tires on your bike? When are the tires worn out, and how do you know when you need new tires for your bike?

Its not super complicated, but it can sometimes be tricky.

So I will tell you how it works in practice, at least for the bikes I use or have used in the past.

Manufacturers Indicators

Some manufacturers put out Indicators to help cyclists identify a worn tire.

There are many holes (mostly red) a few mm below the surface of the rubber in the center tread area. And, once you cant see those holes anymore, you know its time to replace the tire.

So one brand, in particular, Continental, is doing something about this.

For more information, check their Tread wear indicator page.

Rounded profile across the top.

Another thing to watch is ensuring the tire always has a rounded profile.

Once it is flat, the tire will not be able to do its job correctly.

Depth of the tread

One of the most important indicators is, of course, tread depth.

You need to measure in the center. A new tire has between 3 and 4mm

So if your tire has a depth of 1 or 2mm, you can probably drive on it for a while before replacing it.

If the center knobs are less than 1 millimeter, its time to replace it.

Of course, the depth may differ on different models, so check the manufacturers guide. But you can also look and compare different knobs in different areas of the tire.

Also, you shouldnt focus on the knobs on the sides. It can be misleading because these side knobs have longer lives than the ones in the center.

Most of the time, the center knobs are used when you are cycling, so they are the ones that indicate when a tire is worn out.

Threads of the casing

This is a more difficult indicator. Its whether or not you can see the casing threads on your tire.

So take a good look at your tire, if you start to see the structural part of the casing, its a dangerous situation, and you shouldnt drive until you change that tire.

Cuts on the tire

You can inspect your tire, and it is more than likely that when you go over it, you will find cuts from glass, rocks, and other sharp objects on the road.

The cut on the knob isnt that bad, but some cuts are hidden under the knobs, so be sure to look.

If there is a cut on the tire, you should replace that tire. Because if there is contact with a sharp object on the road, the tube could be punctured.

Cracks in the sidewall

When the sidewall has many cracks, it means that :

•  that the rubber is old: the life span of rubber is about five years
• Or that you are driving with low-pressure tires.

So if you have cracks in the center or sidewall, your tire is not in good condition, and you should consider changing it.

Road wheels

You must be very careful with road bike tires because the speed is higher.

Also, when the road bike tire with a lot of pressure bursts (especially on the front wheel), you crash and can hurt yourself.

There are different types of road bikes.

Tires with grooves

The grooves on this type of tire are mainly for water drainage.

You usually have to replace them when the center grooves wear out and are smooth in the middle.

Racing tires 

For this type of tire, its harder to tell. The manufacturer usually puts a wear indicator where the red section shows through.

If not, inspect your tires and see if the center gets flat, or if they look thin in the middle compared to the outer edges, then its time to replace them.

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When it’s thinner on the sidewalls

However, some other tires are thinner on the sidewalls than others, so you want to ensure you dont have any cuts or tears in your sidewalls.

With many cuts in the tire, they accumulate a lot of rocks and, therefore, a lot of glass and other things that will puncture your tire.

And all those holes mean a thinner spot in your tire, and punctures can happen very easily.

Safety tips

The thorn-resistant tubes

One thing I recommend when it comes to tubes is thorn-resistant tubes.

Many people have opinions on this because they can be harder to put on, but they better protect against punctures when riding.

Tires pressure

Check your tire pressure: once every two years for road bikes or every two years for other types of bikes, like hybrids or MTB-type bikes.

You should have them at the optimum pressure, the recommended pressure on their sidewall. Riding with low pressure will wear the tire out faster, and it can crack.

So wipe your tires after every ride and make sure your tires dont lose pressure.

Checklist for tire replacement

• Check for old rubber: rubber lasts about five years
• Make sure you dont have any glass sticking out of your tires
• Make sure your sidewalls are in good condition
• Check the pressure often
• Check for cuts or cracks
• Check to see if the buttons are still in their original shape,
• Check for cracks in the sidewall
• Make sure the tread depth is greater than 1mm
• Consider getting thorn-proof tubes

Why changing bike tires

Youll get a flat more often while riding when its worn out. This is a problem because no one wants to pull over to the side of the road and have to fix a tire, especially in an area with a lot of traffic.

Some cyclists try to extend the life of their worn tires by putting a little patch on the tube and simply filling the holes in the tire with superglue to save money.

But this cant last long and can be dangerous sometimes. It is then time to change the tire.

So a few indicators let you know when to replace the tire.

CONCLUSION

These things, such as cracks, cuts, and tread depth, tell you that you need to replace that tire to give you the best rolling resistance and traction so you can ride with peace of mind.

So keep an eye on these things, and youll be good to go. Its for your safety and will significantly impact your driving.

If, for some reason, you still want to use a tire that has the problems we mentioned, make sure you use it for short rides just around the neighborhood, but avoid using it in a competition or when youre going at high speeds because it can be dangerous and cause an accident.

If you have no experience or dont know if the tire is still good, you should look at our guide on the manufacturers website. You will find information about some indicators to know when to replace the tire.