Road Cycling - Periodically changing tires/tubes.

Would it be a good idea to periodically change your tires and tubes every X miles? If so how often should I change them?

Shouldn't need to, unless you're a low mileage rider and the rubber just finally rots. I've never had a tube fail from age... I'll get a flat for some other reason first. Barring physical damage, you can ride tires until you start seeing patches of the casing threads on the rolling surface. If the tire gets cuts of any significant size, say bigger than 1/8" long, you should probably replace the tire. I've heard of people fixing cuts in the tread with some kind of glue, but can't remember what kind. :confused: Anyone? Also, beware of sidewall damage... it may seem innocuous enough, but it can actually be a blow-out that's just waiting for you to get far enough from home. Look for a cut with exposed and frayed threads.

I have had a tube fail due to age. It started to separate at the seam, around 30km out of town of course:( . I used to get around 3000km from a set of tyres.

I just replaced my tyres on my roadbike as it has been dormant for quite a few years. The sidewalls were perishing, there was a crack around the tread on the front and the tread was starting to lift on the rear. I think they were aroun 8 years old:rolleyes:

my mtb however, the tyres only last between 3-8 weeks.

Sidewall damage can be a factor. Two days after I bought a good quality Kelly-Springfield tire for my car, my darling 18 year old daughter ran over a big rock and blew out the sidewall. :mad:

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
Sidewall damage can be a factor. Two days after I bought a good quality Kelly-Springfield tire for my car, my darling 18 year old daughter ran over a big rock and blew out the sidewall. :mad:
if that happens, its time to change the tire, see if you damage the side walls, there is nothing you can do about it, you have to change the tire, same is true with bike tires.

Originally posted by skdsl
The sidewalls were perishing, there was a crack around the tread on the front and the tread was starting to lift on the rear. I think they were aroun 8 years old:rolleyes:
Just this last fall I had put an ancient Conti (brown sidewall) on my road bike, to keep from wearing out a good tire on the trainer. In a long spell of rainy weather we had a really nice day, so I rushed home from work during lunch to get in a ride. Long story short, the sidewall disintegrated about 5 miles from home, separating from the wire bead. :(

Mikey, this was an extreme case... like skdsl these tires were several years old.

I rotate my tires every 1,000 miles--probably should do it more often--to keep the wear even.

Rich

Sometimes the tube is almost glued to the inside of the tire and I have found upon inspection that the tube is actually thinner at that point. Don't throw the tube out, use it as a spare. Depending on how much you ride, you might want to change your tire and tube once a year or every 1000 miles. Instead of swapping the tires front to back, put a new tire on the front and put the old front tire on the back. The front tire is supposed to be the one that needs good tread for braking.
:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Stinger9oh
I rotate my tires every 1,000 miles--probably should do it more often--to keep the wear even.

Rich

I've heard that if you rotate tires, you should trash the back one, move the front to the rear, and install a new front tire. The reasoning is that you want good rubber up front for better steering control.

It's easier to control a loose rear wheel than a loose front wheel.

Originally posted by urban_assault
I've heard that if you rotate tires, you should trash the back one, move the front to the rear, and install a new front tire. The reasoning is that you want good rubber up front for better steering control.

It's easier to control a loose rear wheel than a loose front wheel.

yes, rotating otherwise could be dangerous...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_rotation.html