dfioc

I have what may be a dumb question to most but would appreciate a (hopefully) honest answer....

At what point should I be looking at tire replacement based upon tire wear? For car tires, there's the rule about seeing Lincoln's head on a penny but don't know the rule of thumb for mtb tires. I currently have Hutchinson Python Airlights with about 1,000 miles on them.

Appreciate any comments.

pinkrobe

Replace them when they no longer offer acceptable traction. For me, that's usually 500 km of XC riding for a rear tire, and considerably more on the front. If you ride flatter trails, you can probably get away with less tread.

ashleywood.ash

wera them down them put them on your commuter

wheelhot

hey, erm since this topic is about tire wear, I heard that Hutchinson tyres are hard to worn out. Two people told me that the tyre will be damaged first before the thread worns out, can anyone verify on this?

Wheelchairman

I'm using Hutch' Piranas and presently. I haven't really worn them at all in the past 2 weeks I've had my bike. However, I've used the same tyres in the past and, not knowing their intended purpose, used them for communting about 50KM per week. They wore out within 8 weeks . I guess if you use them for their intended purpose (XC work) then they'll last a fair amount of km.

LowCel 

Just keep in mind that when your tires lose about 25% of the tread they lose around 50% - 75% of their efficiency. Something to think about.

dfioc

Thanks so much for the feedback. Seems like it's time to look at new tires after 1k miles of XC.

LowCel 

Shoot, 1,000 miles isn't bad for a set. I would be happy to get 500 miles out of a set.

iamthetas

if tire wear is a problem in that you want your tires to last longer look hard at WTB tires. most will last well over 1k miles, even if you mix pavement and dirt

cosmo starr

if they dont 'hum' on pavement anymore i consider them pretty well gone yet i dont change them till they are bald..