When it comes to maintenance of our cycles, we’re all pretty good at the basics. We know that the chain is in order, we’ve checked the brakes, and the gears are all working just fine. Something that many of us are a little guilty of though, is neglecting the tyres.
Sure, when we have a puncture, we’re all set to make an instant repair, but what about other issues? What should we all be looking at to see if we should be changing our tyres anytime soon? Here’s a look at the top signs that suggest the time to change is now.
Telltale cracks
This is one that shouldn’t really apply to our readers as it is more common if your cycle has been left unused for a period of time. Usually, the sidewalls of tyres will start to crack after 12-24 months of little to no use. It happens as the tyres start to become brittle.
If you have had a break from cycling, cracks are the first thing you should be checking your tyres for. Why? Cycling with these can actually be quite dangerous. If you spot cracks in your tyres, then it is time for them to be changed.
Puncture after puncture
Annoying as they are, punctures are just a part of a cyclists life. Where we are actually riding is likely to impact the frequency of them occurring. However, if you seem to be spending more time repairing punctures than actually riding, then there may be a bigger issue.
Constant punctures suggest that the thread has severely worn. It means that it is so thin that it is no longer able to protect the inner tube. So while punctures are a normal part of cycling, if they seem to be happening a little too many times, it could be time to change your tyres.
Tread wear indicator
If you have bike tyres from Continental, you’ll see that they have a great feature known as TWI. This allows you to carry out a very simple visual check to see if it is approaching the time when your tyres need to be changed.
TWI is very basic but ingenious at the same time. It sees small holes in the tyre that are clearly visible. When it gets to the stage where these can no longer be seen, it’s time to change those tyres.
It’s all about the ride
Yes, when it comes to the state of our bike tyres there are numerous checks that we can make. There are plenty of visual changes that we can all clearly see once we know what we are looking for, but more important than these is the quality of the ride.
An experienced cyclist just knows when the tyres aren’t quite right. It could be that the comfort has been affected or that the handling just isn’t really there. If the ride just doesn’t feel right then the chances are that your tyres are to blame and it’s time to get them changed.
