5 Signs You Should Change Your Mountain Bike Tyres | When To Replace MTB Tyres

Mountain bike tyres provide all the grip you're going to get on the trail so it is important to replace them when necessary to maximise your traction. Here are five signs that your MTB rubber might need replacing.
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How often do you replace your tyres?
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gmbn]

How often do you replace your tyres?

[@williamfowler5260]

When the canvas starts to show its time for a new tyre...

[@dawidos557]

when thread is very small, on my old 26" wheels bike it was around one year, on my new 29" im riding more but they need like 1.5 year to wear out.

[@ReveL_xanno]

It really depends on how hard I ride sometimes they hold 2 mothes most mostly less

[@toranaandy2245]

When I can find them in stock......

[@MariusTheDude]

i heard somewhere that if a knob is less than 1mm then its time

[@boyhardtail]

Just seeing the title of this video is already a sign that i should change my tires. 😂

[@samsterthegamer8521]

Same 🤣

[@Johannes__]

Those worn tires in the video look pretty fresh to me, tires are pretty costy...

[@sqlim85]

This video advertise wasteful approach. I put my front tire at the back, when I buy new tire for the front. Only time I've change tire when it was not "bald" was when sealant was going through the sidewalls.

[@davidamora2565]

Yeah

[@lisonmendis8968]

The first "worn" tire they showed looks like brand new to me

[@aussierules3436]

If only we all worked for gmbn

[@nk-dw2hm]

@@aussierules3436 most of us don't ride quite as aggressively as they do either though

[@tms-tomas9803]

sign 1: your bank account allows it...

[@djzrobzombie2813]

Sometimes it's even cheaper to buy a whole new god damn bike than invest into new tyres new chain new brake pads and so on ... I will do that with my Specialized Rockhopper

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Did you mean:"your mortgage rating allows it"? Since you can get decent car tyres cheaper than top cycling tyres

[@taylordarion3477]

A bit late to the party but it’s nice knowing I’ll never need to change them

[@martsmarts]

26” riders beg to differ... “will keep them on until I find a shop that sells a proper 26 tire.”

[@fulldnbboy]

Yup... Going through that bs right now...

[@R3ddyyg]

Last time i saw a decent 26' tire i got 3 pairs of them (Magic mary by Schwalbe). I know i'm gonna use them cause there is no way i can get a bike in 27.5' or 29' in the near future

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

Look in Poland and in China through eBay and AliExpress. There is plenty of 26" tires. Generally 26" will never die due to short people apparently also never die 🤣😛

[@fulldnbboy]

@@R3ddyyg wish i could find somewhere schwalbe hurricane tyres. Would take couple of sets...

[@dineshdas8392]

But in my country 26inch is most common

[@AxlMetcalf]

I’d happily use like 70% of these tires that “need” changing.... send em my way

[@bush_wookie_9606]

Can I see any tread left ? No: change them Yes: send it

[@pauortega9954]

My style is more like: Can I se any tread at all? Yes: Send it No: Send it but try not to die

[@ianthompson9653]

I replace tires like I replace my shoes... Once there's no life left

[@rusutudorrr]

I paid for the damn rubber, Imma use all the damn rubber!

[@juliangarrido3034]

Never would I have expected gmbn to make a grinder reference

I like to use them for as long as possible. If they're worn, i'm just getting free skills from sliding around. It's fun!

[@AM-he1nd]

Fun fact You are the spitting image of Marve from home alone

[@bobbyhempel1513]

No he isn't.

[@frontierfishingwithryanmac1981]

I ran the same tubeless Maxxis tires for 4 years with 4000+ km on them and they JUST started to bleed sealant on the sidewall... Jut changed them out for some Vittoria tires and I'm glad that I did... a world of a difference with the grip on the trails!

[@stevencole7331]

I am riding the maxxis dhr2 front and back which gave me the grip I needed in my high desert location of rocky and loose . Now a thousand miles have gone and my rear tire center knobs are getting a bit rounded on the momentum side but that back side is still cornered nicely . So the tire has actually got a bit faster but a loss of grip in the loose for the climb . Life is full of trade offs . A tire changes the first day after riding . My side knobs are good and thats the most important knobs on the bike . Thats what keeps you up right in the turns . When they are done the tire is done or your riding may need to be toned down greatly . I may get another 500 miles out of these tires which to me is impressive . Other brands i have used in my area are done on or before 500 miles . Now I have one problem with the rear tire thats weeping some sealant from the centerline of the sidewall that may point to some separation in the tire .I run the pressures a bit lower and its a hardtail so the tires take a beating and thats why the problem is in the rear and not the front I presume .

[@900schutter]

holy crap. that grinder joke had me in stitches....

[@dirkg.950]

If I would be sponsored I would change my tires regularly - thanks for that great and informative video

[@steezystonks]

I think if you're conscious about where your tires are at while you're riding, you can make them last a lot longer! Having the correct tire pressure becomes more important as your tires wear and lose grip too. Also, if you run the same on the front and back, rotating them can make them last a long time! I didn't really answer your question, but this is where my head goes when I think about new tires, haha... *how to get the most out of them*

[@djcrownvic7017]

I had a Michelin front tire from 2000 and replaced it only last year (2022). Not one crack anywhere, but the tread was getting pretty round and the chord/casing was still fine. It would have still been good for casual riding on flat stone dust type trails or pavement riding. Amazing tire.

[@camilo3626]

I had a 2 year old rear tire on my bike that was worn to the ceoss-threading, it was amazing to drift on dry pavement 😂

[@linustakee7547]

Super Top video jajajajaj. Now I feel big motivated to get on the trail myself, what gets me going the longest while bike is *Delta Parole* or other rokk music!

[@struangatherer9091]

Nice video cheers

[@SticklesMickles]

Aggaro on the rear and Martello on the front is my choice of summer tyres for my 27.5 trail bike, my enduro bike is 26" and i take whatever i can get (currently got 2x Ardents on it)

[@farrele9629]

Just realize i need to replace my tires a year ago

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

I wish I'd forget about buying non crucial stuff for the bike at least for a year

[@markbenn1907]

haha i was just wondering this. THANKS LADS!

[@slatermtb5214]

Everything I think of doing to my mtb you bring a vid out about it awsome content as per 🤘🤘🤘

[@JackyRowe]

Ooooh, you're in Priddy!! One of my favourite places!

[@benireland6]

Honestly unless you're riding 1000s of miles annually, shralping every turn in sight or running ultra-soft compound tires your tires should last years on the front, and even then you can just stick the front on the rear and buy a new front tire

[@Guido-vj7so]

Indeed, rear tires wear fast with a replacement every 3000km-4000km. Front tires last waaay longer.

[@Jeppelelle]

MTB tires are expensive, i change them when i can't see any evidence of a tire on the rim

[@everywherelocal]

nice video 🔥

[@Night_blade258]

thanks for your help i need to replace mine

[@matteovisintin9505]

wow nice video! I'll do a similar one

[@unzulaessig]

1:00 i just see 2 good tires! I wear them often to almost slick in the middle by the rear one... just let it slide a bit more it improve your mtb skill :)

[@mtbboy1993]

When the knobs are cracking, tearing, when tyre is warped/deformed/wobbly, when rubber at the bead is peeling off, if you ignore it the tyre will blow off the rim. I've experienced this type of wear on Maxxis tyres in 4 to 6 months, usually bead got worn out when knobs got rounded off and tyre is warped and some cracks might be seen too. Depending on how much I rode and how I guess, how fast it happen varied, and when the bead thing happen. I am testing Michelin wild Enduro so I will see how they perform. I was told this does not happen with michelon tyres so that's promising. But I love the stable cornering on Wild Enduro fornt.

[@arloridesbikes9921]

Just run your DHR II till its bald

[@williamdistasio9358]

I'm on Maxxis Minion DHR II's front and rear, and I was out of commission for a year. Well, my bike sat the last 13 months while I nursed a torn ligament in my shoulder. I finally had surgery in June and was able to get back out yesterday for my first ride. My final run down the hill at my local bike park and this teenie, tiny freaking little thorn, or, pricker, punctured my tire. My tubeless sealant didn't fill the tiny litte hole apparently because I didn't add any to it! Cuz its been sitting for 13 months in my living room! Lol I'm taking it off today to look at it. I do have a new tire, but I don't want to use it if I don't have too yet. I'll examine the internals before making a decision. However, the old tires been through one entire season already of trails and also down hill biking and surprisingly, it's still has those little slits in the knobs, albeit, they're much less pronounced now, but they're still there. Hmm, decisions...

[@kobedunlop2449]

Do a video on what type of Tyre is best for your riding and conditions please

[@nk-dw2hm]

Sponsors get in the way of unbiased comparisons. They usually only have videos showing tires across one brand, rather than comparing brand vs brand

[@tychoMX]

They've already done that. It was a catalog of the Vittoria line, I think.

[@trwilliams22]

I can put 4 tires on my little truck for less than two on my mountain bikes...

[@silas5483]

Explain

[@muttleybn8007]

@@silas5483 I imagine he means that mtb tyres can be ridiculously expensive.

[@bongers94]

Perfect timing during this pandemic😁

[@isaacpugno3388]

At this point I don’t even think I need to watch this video, my max is minions are literally slicks apart from the side knobs 😂

[@charlesrobinson6444]

Minion SuperSlicks then...

[@tychoMX]

Well crap, yesterday I thought I'd get away with my worn tires on the gravel bike (don't judge. They are 50 mm wide and are used on singletrack :) ) for the first few weeks of the spring - and yea, it had lost some knobs, a few patches and noticeably worn spots. I was wrong. One flat (plugged, yay!?) and a series of slow leaks turned a 2 hour ride into a 3 hour one. It was still a glorious spring morning so it was hard to be to upset about it - but the damn things came off right away after coming back!

[@reallifemtb]

Many of us need a strategy to deal with the emotional loss of a tire lol…losing a setup you love…like a well fit pair of jeans…heartbreaking! ;)

[@carstenweiland7896]

Bought a very nobby tire on the very cheap side 8000 Km ago (I do not do skids at all and hate them), grip in the muddy stuff is awesome, they are F**** heavy and they seem to actively brake when I stop peddling. I am commuting with that bike too and haven't had a flat since then (normally every 8 month). Although they are very reliable and still look alright, I am going to change them soon, they are just to much like an anchor to ride with.

[@lylehoanshelt179]

I bought my kenda small block eight tires a while ago, I ride a lot and they still feel new

[@mikeymcbikeface3244]

I have never replaced tires. My cross country hardtail still has the stock crap rubber looking at replacing soon

[@tripple_mf_t]

GMBN uploading that video after the Kenda-productplacement in the previuos video: Bussines is boomin'

[@frankiemckernan4635]

could you do a video on how to build a pump track

[@jpschlosser]

I'm replacing my XC race tires because I have sealant blobs and patches everywhere... they've taken quite a beating and sealant is having a really hard time patching the holes.

[@hemaccabe4292]

My tires are a road/track compromise. They look a bit worn down but its hard to decide to replace them. No obvious wear like tears or splits.

[@TrollSofter]

Got Dissectors for the trails and Hookworms for the commute, im set

[@OliCM3]

The longer you leave it, the greater the satisfaction of getting your moneys worth, and the more noticeable the improvement of performance. Win Win

[@deKampeerwijzer]

That first tire still has the dents in the knobs. That is not worn out at all! Other ‘wear out’ examples were clearly done for the video with a knive. When I change a tire: it has a tear in the side or the middle part is almost flat. Almost is less than 1 mm profile.

[@CowboyHatFilms]

Always pack a spare pair of tyres just in case you get skid marks on them 👍

[@desertromper]

Guess I’m going to get new tires this weekend

[@charlie9ine]

I do at times suffer from not being able to hold a line. I ran to check my tyres but they’re almost new. I have no problem with their grip. I’m running Continental Trail Kings front and back. It’s a totally other segment but...?

[@karlcorrz]

what about sidewall slashes, i have some slight sidewall slash on my schwalbe hans dampf rear tire and im kinda worried, i have ridden it about 100km on trails and luckily it still rocks. Should i change?

[@gregknipe8772]

good detail and points to look for. less serious riders weigh in below, they will ride old tires till they fail. a clear choice. no need for advice - still need to share their own..... these are the folks you don't want to ride with.

[@Niebyn]

"Not the app" 😂😂

[@Patriot-tx3cf]

What about sealant pin holes in sidewall??

[@rupedog]

Main sign....when they are tired!😋

[@kidShibuya]

0:41 What about the knob in the tyre though?

[@cb6866]

Thanks Rich....be safe , eh ?

[@givemeakidney]

That 1st example is totally fine. If the sipping is still visible the tyre is just being in 😉.

[@cornishcactus]

Can still see the signs of sipes on that Mazza, it'd be listed as nearly new on Ebay :(

[@shannonchurchill4556]

The tubeless tires on my wife’s bike are 3 years old, worn beyond what an expert with 30 years of experience like myself would run, but still with plenty of tread for someone who isn’t a shredder, but they have sealant leaking out at several points on the sidewalls. Is sealant leakage a sign of deterioration, and time to change them?

[@wyattrutter2473]

How about when they look like road tires?

[@rollinrat4850]

I wrench in a shop in one of the highest price zip codes in the US. Haha, I rarely buy new tires. I just use up 'take offs'. Ive got 2 big boxes full of them. 'Cross/gravel and MTB. I do endurance type off-roading and bikepacking. I'm resting on descents and I'm not enduro riding nor taking big chances. Believe GMBN's marketing BS and I'll get more free tires! Please!

[@fairuzarkan6908]

mate, i have a magic mary but the knobs are very hard, should i swap out my tyres?

[@Sh4dow0975]

Good to know before I broke my collorbone

[@nekomeido]

I know someone with a highroller in the back. It's more slick than a slick tire but he is still sending it.

[@jeremyprovonsil7886]

@Nekomeido is it me? Hi friend. HR II’s have a nasty sticky compound and still do ok when worn down pretty far!

[@WWE2K2334]

My bike is super crack but i still use it in long ride but I will change my tires on Thursday

[@cgriggsiv]

How strange for this video to come out right after I just changed both of my tires my front tire and the rear tire are both single wall very thin from the original purchase After about 6 months decides are starting to crack and on the rear I had a a good size slice

[@Ben-rj3dv]

Does it make sense to swap front and rear mid-life to level the wear between the 2 ?

[@eliotcrowe7884]

As a general rule you want different tyres front & rear because you have different priorities: chunky/grippy on the front because you never want to wash out, and less so on the rear because you might prioritise lower rolling resistance with a less knobby and/or narrower tyre. Not that everyone has to follow the general rule though, and it depends on your terrain & style too.

[@vadymvv]

I do have an opposite problem - my kenda tires do not wear out at all)

[@IGSPURSBASKETBALL_]

Is it safe to ride on tires that have small cracks? (Tube tire) I found my old bike and the tires hold air and held up for a test is it ok to take it for a real ride?

[@denisminigarage2030]

*me looking at my 28 year old Raleigh with it's original tires* "meh, I'll replace them if one goes flat"

[@flimsyburito3924]

i think i should replace my mountain bike tires i have worn out stubs on the sides but all around the middle is completely bald,smooth

[@crocketgsxr6]

i still have the factory tires on my 2014......because I never ride the bike. Do they break down with age?

[@FJ-xz7yy]

"not the app....." yes thanks for clarifying

[@nukedathlonman]

This isn't a problem for most people, but for any tire that seen infrequent use or that has sat in storage for years (perhaps a tire one bought in early 2000's but never used), age of the tire is a consideration to take into account. If the tire is a few years old (hard to date given a number of factors, but I'll say 5 years for the time being) but still looks good (so the tread is good, no cracks, etc), it may not be good because the rubber has lost it's pliability (hardened). I have experienced this problem with my vintage road bike and my car (the road bike was easy to tell as the tires had a strange soft but plasticy feel to them, but the car was a surprise as it got use - just not enough to wear down the tires at a quick enough rate to avoid the problem).

[@tychoMX]

Tire rubber can age well! Old roadies used to "age" their tubulars so they'd be primed for competition. But that was mostly for very high quality tires. The issue is how they are stored - ozone for example will damage them, so they need to be away from electric motors if you store them in a basement, for example. And there's also dry rot or other degradation. Basically if you store them like wine they'll be fine :P

[@chrisinstasis7986]

How about "when you have a budget bike and the tyres it came with are garbage"? Not environmentally friendly, I know but it really makes such a difference.

[@samuellackovic9742]

The first tyre seems to me pretty new😂👌🏻

[@richirubio_]

The problems is that my tiers are completely smooth. I think they will hold on for a few more rides...

[@charlielondon9625]

I was wondering if you or anybody else here has any good knowledge/experience with the Vitus Sentier VR. I know I want an aggressive HT, and the Sentier VR seems to hit all the marks super well. It is my 2nd true mountain bike, and I am starting to get really into the sport, but my budget can't yet stretch much past $1500 USD. If anybody has any bikes in mind with solid disc brakes, 1x drivetrain, a solid air fork, thru-axles front and rear, and a good set of tires.

[@makda971]

im selling an orange p7 2017 on ebay

[@everythingssad9234]

Tire are quite expensive here in the Philippines

[@laustudie]

I personally prefer the feel of slightly worn out knobs. Only when the sidewalls start to crack i switch my tires out.

[@laurynasjagelo5075]

you monster

[@miyui9269]

unless you racing in uci or a personal important race, you really dont need the traction that a new tyre would provide

[@miyui9269]

to have fun

[@LECMTB]

I best go check my tyres 😂

[@richardpeet6829]

Should I change due to seeping of sealant? I slowly seep sealant from each of 15 punctures locations. Only currently losing 1lb air per week. Does sealant ever really seal a tire? Asking because I really don't know. These are high end $100 tires aka tyres.

[@tychoMX]

Some tires seep a lot! And in my experience it eventually stops. I have a fat bike set that seeped a lot of Stans (45NRTH Beists). You could see the little beads in the sidewall. Curiously they were clear, like the rubber was staying inside but the carrier was seeping. I eventually changed to Orange Seal Subzero (the bike is used in cold conditions) and that doesn't happen anymore. Tires with thin sidewalls are famous for seeping more - lightweight carcass tires like the Rene Herse or Panaracers. I don't have wide experiences with many brands so there's probably lots others. 1 lb of air per week is not much at all. Tires are not fully impermeable - that's just the way physics works. I wouldn't worry about that.

[@tque6694]

In my country, a high quality tyre Cost as much as a coil fork.

[@wylnd]

Is there really no low cost Schwalbe tyre for example? I remember being able to get low tier Magic Mary's for 15€ each

[@tque6694]

@@wylnd mostly low cost tyres are either off brands or their non mountain bike tyres.

[@iffy_too6465]

is that a Trail Features mug?

[@gentlefieldtheorynerd853]

well i'm pleased to say i haven't lost my knobs :D

[@abhishekjmadan]

knob? grinder? haha is this a benny hill episode. Benny Downhill?

[@tychoMX]

I can hear yakkity sax in my head now!

[@andrewsoldan6050]

If I can see the tube that's about time.

[@stuarts4673]

What can you do with old tires? I had 5 at one point, I just put them in the bin

[@AlessandraGregori]

Here in Italy my local decathlon was collecting them for recycling. Don't know if it was a local thing, a one off, or continuous.

[@iffy_too6465]

Your idea of a worn semi slick tyre and mine are very different

[@kenshi8499]

If I still see knobs on my tire they still good

[@ANTheWhizkid]

Hey! A friend of mine has a brand new bike with some dhf/dhr on and he's got a funny problem.... the rear tire is sweating. Every morning he's got some water droplets on the carcase - We were supposing that one tire is maybe of less tpi but it´s of course not standing on the tire. Any suggestions for this funny problem? I have never seen that before.

[@Cassienope]

It's the sealant leaking through the sidewall. Stans sealant + slightly older Maxxis tire has always been "sweaty" for me.

[@KrisPosner]

My front DHR sweated till all the sealant dried up and not seal airtight. Moreover it had the dreaded Maxxis wobble.

[@AlessandraGregori]

@@KrisPosner What do you mean by Maxxis wobble? I noticed that my front wheel wobbles, the spokes are ok, the tyres don't need changing and I can still get some miles out of them. Some bike mechanic said I must have knocked them about or something. Well no I haven't, had some falls but I'm super sedate. Yeah they're Maxxis tyres.

[@krzysiu4003]

@@KrisPosner My DHF has a very bad wobble. It has loads of tread left but think I will replace it very soon.

[@KrisPosner]

@@AlessandraGregori yes my rims are true but the tyre carcass is not true due to it being stretched slightly from a bad landing.

[@Nipplehook]

Old Balding tire? You mean a brand new slick tire?

[@G.Michalopoulos]

I have my front tire 2 years it is cracked and it has not nobs

[@jeoocampo4199]

ow that's why I'm always sliding at trails I have a wrong tyres