Tire Mileage ?
#2
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Although your tires and my tires are worlds apart in purpose, I will report that using Continental SportCONTACT they last about two years @ 2000+ miles per year in commuting/urban cycling.
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Trikeman
Trikeman
#4
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
Interesting question.
Rear:
I got about 900 miles out of a Kenda K191 rear tire.
Then, about 150 miles out of Schwalbe Lugano that physically split (refunded) in the rear.
Currently on a Continental Gatorskin without about 500 miles and it has some gashes in it.
Front:
I got about 1300 miles out of a Kenda K191 that I started to accumulate flats.
Now on a Gatorskin in the front.
Rear:
I got about 900 miles out of a Kenda K191 rear tire.
Then, about 150 miles out of Schwalbe Lugano that physically split (refunded) in the rear.
Currently on a Continental Gatorskin without about 500 miles and it has some gashes in it.
Front:
I got about 1300 miles out of a Kenda K191 that I started to accumulate flats.
Now on a Gatorskin in the front.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,828
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From: West Georgia
Bikes: K2 Mod 5.0 Roadie, Fuji Commuter
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
I've busted the sidewall of a tire at the 850 mile mark and humped it the rest of the way to 1000 miles with a duct-tape boot, but haven't worn the tread of a tire out yet. I'm at the 5600 mile mark of a set of Kenda Kwicks right now, and the end is in sight, though.
#9
Schwalbe Marathon 26 x 1.75" tire was replaced at about 6000 miles with still use able tread and no flats. Replacement Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires in 26 x 2" are currently at about 4000 miles and going strong. Again no flats. The Supreme model is MUCH lighter and the bike spins up to speed a lot quicker. This was on my Raleigh M60 rigid mountain conversion which is currently awaiting a new cartridge bottom bracket, rear cassette and chain.
Current ride (Jamis Aurora) came with Vittoria Randonneur tires and the back one had no tread in spots after about 1800 miles. Front was still okay. They where replaced with a set of Marathon Supreme tires which currently have about 400 miles on them.
Current ride (Jamis Aurora) came with Vittoria Randonneur tires and the back one had no tread in spots after about 1800 miles. Front was still okay. They where replaced with a set of Marathon Supreme tires which currently have about 400 miles on them.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 249
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From: Roanoke, VA
Bikes: 2008 Scott SUB 30, 1981 Miyata Ridge Runner, Dahon Speed 8
I've got 1,700 miles on a set of Panaracer RiBMos, and they look almost new. Fairly cheap tires, too, at about $32 for a 1.25x26.
Over 3,000 miles as of 1/5/15, still no problems. I weigh 190 pounds
Over 3,000 miles as of 1/5/15, still no problems. I weigh 190 pounds
Last edited by gdhillard; 01-07-15 at 09:14 PM. Reason: update
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 13
From: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
I am a road bike cyclist and use various lower-mid priced 700 25c road tires and replace tires annually at the end of the season. I am 2000 mile a year rider and like to start the year with new rubber. I know I could likely get 300-400-500 more miles out of the rear tire... maybe. Front tire are of course less worn.
#14
There are many factors in tire life -- tire construction and material, tire inflation, road conditions, weather, rider weight....probably in more or less that order.
I typically retire a tire when it starts getting flats frequently, which for whatever reason seems to happen well before the tread is worn out. I've generally found this to be around 2000 miles for a rear tire but as little as 1500 for a racing tire. But this is highly specific to my particular factors (as listed above). The tires I've gotten the most mileage out of are the ones I'm currently using -- 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme @ ~3100 miles and counting. They still look good and haven't flatted since mile 947 (but check with me again tomorrow now that I've said that). The tire I've gotten the least mileage out of was a 700x32 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme that suffered a fatal sidewall cut at 8 (eight!) miles.
There are a lot of trade-offs that go into tire design. A tire that is designed for high mileage usually doesn't grip the road as well and/or has higher rolling resistence and/or costs more. The trick in buying tires is to figure out what your personal priorities are and then find a tire that aligns well with those priorities. The tires you have on your Muirwoods now are a good starting point to figure out your priorities. Ride lots and take note of what you do and do not like about the tires. After 1000 miles or so you'll be ready to make an informed decision about your next tire purchase, though you may not need to make that purchase until 2000 or more miles.
I typically retire a tire when it starts getting flats frequently, which for whatever reason seems to happen well before the tread is worn out. I've generally found this to be around 2000 miles for a rear tire but as little as 1500 for a racing tire. But this is highly specific to my particular factors (as listed above). The tires I've gotten the most mileage out of are the ones I'm currently using -- 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme @ ~3100 miles and counting. They still look good and haven't flatted since mile 947 (but check with me again tomorrow now that I've said that). The tire I've gotten the least mileage out of was a 700x32 Schwalbe Marathon Supreme that suffered a fatal sidewall cut at 8 (eight!) miles.
There are a lot of trade-offs that go into tire design. A tire that is designed for high mileage usually doesn't grip the road as well and/or has higher rolling resistence and/or costs more. The trick in buying tires is to figure out what your personal priorities are and then find a tire that aligns well with those priorities. The tires you have on your Muirwoods now are a good starting point to figure out your priorities. Ride lots and take note of what you do and do not like about the tires. After 1000 miles or so you'll be ready to make an informed decision about your next tire purchase, though you may not need to make that purchase until 2000 or more miles.
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#16
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
I used the same basic idea to decide that I don't use my 29er like a mountain bike but for mixed surface riding, generally hard surfaces, including asphalt, hard-packed dirt road and hard-packed trail with some softer trail and dirt road surfaces mixed in. Therefore, I upgraded my 55mm wide knobby tires to Continental Country Plus (47mm wide) for smoother riding on the hard surfaces, soft on the butt with somewhat wide tires, and some texture for softer surfaces. I can't comment on their durability/life because I've only ridden about 200km on them (although I have passed the 8mi mark that Andy_K had his flat).
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 3
From: Cascadia
Bikes: Jamis Quest Comp
Schwalbe Marathon 26 x 1.75" tire was replaced at about 6000 miles with still use able tread and no flats. Replacement Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires in 26 x 2" are currently at about 4000 miles and going strong. Again no flats. The Supreme model is MUCH lighter and the bike spins up to speed a lot quicker. This was on my Raleigh M60 rigid mountain conversion which is currently awaiting a new cartridge bottom bracket, rear cassette and chain.
Current ride (Jamis Aurora) came with Vittoria Randonneur tires and the back one had no tread in spots after about 1800 miles. Front was still okay. They where replaced with a set of Marathon Supreme tires which currently have about 400 miles on them.
Current ride (Jamis Aurora) came with Vittoria Randonneur tires and the back one had no tread in spots after about 1800 miles. Front was still okay. They where replaced with a set of Marathon Supreme tires which currently have about 400 miles on them.
How do you like the Aurora? I've always sorta wondered if that would've been a better choice for me-I got a quest comp instead.
#18
I like the Aurora, although I notice that I have toe overlap, which is a new experience for me. It only happen when I am just starting off/going super slow, so not really much of an issue, still a little annoying. Everything has been reliable on it, but I seem to have a bit of trouble with the trim on the front derailleur. There are times I wish I had a friction shifter for the front triple. Not sure if I would buy one again, but I got a great deal on it (it was a hold over from the previous model year) and a great price on a good bike always seems to sway me.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 4
From: central ohio
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
I rode on Armadillo Nimbus' for about four years. I was getting about 5500 miles of year round commuting on them before having to replace them. This year I've switched to the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme w/green guard (whatever that is). I heard from some guy here on BF that he was still rolling on 16k. I've heard such good things about the Marathons that I thought I'd try them out. I ride thru all kinds of crap on the road and these things just roll right thru it.
P.S. I forgot to mention about the Armadillos. In those 5500 miles I was lucky to get one flat. Excellent flat protection. Well worth the price, which was about $42 a tire.
P.S. I forgot to mention about the Armadillos. In those 5500 miles I was lucky to get one flat. Excellent flat protection. Well worth the price, which was about $42 a tire.
Last edited by scoatw; 09-25-14 at 01:38 PM.
#20
contiuniously variable

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 9
From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
Never worn out a set of tires. I have, however gone from stickier compounds to more rigid compounds over the years. My current ride has the hardest compound yet, but seems to still find plenty of grip in wet.
- Andy
- Andy
#21
contiuniously variable

Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 9
From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
I rode on Armadillo Nimbus' for about four years. I was getting about 5500 miles of year round commuting on them before having to replace them. This year I've switched to the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme w/green guard (whatever that is). I heard from some guy here on BF that he was still rolling on 16k. I've heard such good things about the Marathons that I thought I'd try them out. I ride thru all kinds of crap on the road and these things just roll right thru it.
- Andy
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Southern Colorado
Bikes: General 80's MTB "Icebreaker", Motobecane Grand Jubilee (vintage mint), Trek 1.1, 2014 Motobecane Mirage (steel) Trek 3500 MTB
1200 plus miles of training and commuting on a pair of Specialized Armadillo's. They and I are worse for the wear.
No stranding flats. Two overnighters that allowed for a comfy home fix.
But they haven't mellowed with age. Feel married to the things, and want to gripe everytime they abuse me.
No stranding flats. Two overnighters that allowed for a comfy home fix.
But they haven't mellowed with age. Feel married to the things, and want to gripe everytime they abuse me.
#23
Let's Ride!

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 42
From: Lexington, VA USA
Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B
I am not sure about the tires you mention but I have some Michelin City tires (700X28c) that I got around 3000 maybe a few more miles on it. The one that I had on the rear the sidewall blew out. It might have been because I dropped off a curb with the tires underinflated. I flatted pretty soon after that. I have since taken the tire that was on the front and put it on the rear and purchased a new front tire. I like them they ride well and I feel handle wet and gravel well enough when the occasion occurs.
i do think that your weight and the weight of the bike makes a difference plus what kind of roads you are riding on.
i do think that your weight and the weight of the bike makes a difference plus what kind of roads you are riding on.
#24
Passista


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 1,209
Bikes: 1998 Pinarello Asolo, 1992 KHS Montaņa pro, 1980 Raleigh DL-1, IGH Hybrid, IGH Utility
My cheap CST Traveler 700x37s still have 3/4 of their tread after 11000km/2yrs. I ride about 500-600km/month. But, as others also said, my tires usually get deformed or cut before the tread is fully worn out.
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 6
From: Sudbury, ON, CA
Bikes: 2012 Kona Sutra, 2002 Look AL 384, 2018 Moose Fat bike
Correction, as I was adding a bit more air to the tires last night when I got home, I felt the tires after inflation and although there is no visible deterioration of the tread pattern on either the front or rear, I felt a bit of smoothness down the centre of the tires; about 3mm/ 1/8" on the front and maybe 5mm/ 1/4" on the rear. I debated whether or not to pull off the rear tire at the end of the season and put the front on the back and replace the front but I think that the deterioration is minimal so I'll give it another year. They'll have about 4,000km on them by the end of this fall.



