When to change road bike tyres and how to do it: A complete guide

Don’t know when to change road bike tyres? We’ve got you covered. Experiencing less-than-perfect traction when you’re cornering at speed? We know the solution. Intimidated by the task of switching out your old rubber for new? We’ll walk you through each step.  

Changing road bike tyres is actually one of the simpler tasks that falls under the bike maintenance umbrella, although like anything, you need to have done it a few times to really build your confidence and know-how. 

Let’s kick off with why it matters… 

The tyres of your road bike ought to be the only part that comes into contact with the ground. That means they’re super-important, right? They grip the road, transferring the power you’re putting through the pedals into forward movement. They’re also vital in keeping you upright when you lean left and right to make turns.  

Your tyres get the rough end of the deal a lot of the time, rolling over hundreds of tiny sharp stones, bits of broken glass, and pretty much anything you can imagine finding on a road. That’s why it’s important to look after them as much as you can, and also keep an eye on when they need to be replaced.  

Timing for when to get new tyres differs depending where you look. It really depends on what sort of riding you are doing and how often. Some say 1,000km to 3,000km, however, others say 30,000km to 40,000km. If you ride a pair of super-light, fast racing tyres to commute to work on, you’ll wear them our rapidly – while if you only use them to race with, you may get a couple of years out of them.  

Weather also has a big impact. If you only ride in the summer, your tyres will manage more total kilometres than if you use them year-round. This is because wet roads take a bigger strain on your tyres – there’s more dirt, grit and grime around, and the moisture can also help sharp stuff work its way into the tyre.  

Most tyre brands recommend replacing your tyres every three to five years depending on the brand, type of tread and width, even when it isn’t too heavily used. The rubber can be less reliable and can deteriorate even when it isn’t actively being used – particularly if the rubber is left in direct sunlight. 

Because of all these various factors, tyre-makers can often be quite cagey about stating exactly how long or for how far you can use their tyres. If you are finding it difficult to get a straight answer, try researching the tyre online. Or asking around among your ride buddies.  

A worn-out road bike tyre becomes noticeable when the handling of the bike drops significantly, if there is a lot more rolling resistance and you’re sliding all over the place, that is a real telltale sign that you may need to change the tyres. However, there are also some visual signs to watch out for.  

The main signs of wear on a road bike tyre are: 

Sometimes getting a puncture is plain bad luck, but if you’re getting a lot of punctures closely grouped together and on the same wheel, that’s usually a sign that your tyres are tired out!  

The tread on your tyre is what makes it grippy. If you ride too long on the same pair of tyres, you’ll progressively wear away that tread. If you look at your road bike tyre and it appears smooth, you need to change it. You may notice the tread is gone because of how the bike handles, slipping in turns being the major indicator.  

If the rubber on the sidewall of your tyre is cracking this is typically a sign that it needs to be replaced. Normally, this is a result of the tyre ‘drying out’ and becoming brittle, a process that is accelerated if you store your bike outside or in direct sunlight.  

If your tyre is starting to look misshapen, with some parts bulging out from the normal profile of the rubber, this is a sign that you need to replace them. There are a number of causes – from a single big impact, to the slow degeneration of the sidewall, to the coming loose of the tyre bead. None of the causes of bulging are good! 

These accrue over time. You could ride a brand new tyre once and get a nick or cut. You might also go months without any. Over the many kilometres you ride, they stack up – and when you look at your tyre and see these indicators of wear all over the surface, that’s when it’s time to replace. 

Usually created when you have skidded, these are small areas where the tyre tread is totally bald, possibly even worn through to the under-layers. The worn patch will be particularly at risk of punctures, and also it’ll weaken the areas around it by putting them under more strain.  

Before we dive into our handy step-by-step guide on replacing road bike tyres, let’s look at the bike tools you’ll need. 

• A fresh road bike tyre 
• Some tyre levers 
• A pump

*Don’t use metal tyre levers, they can damage your rims. 

We’re going to go ahead and assume you are running inner tubes on your road bike. However, if you’re using tubeless, we have a handy guide to changing tubeless tyres – don’t be put off by the mountain bike part, the principles for setting up tubeless are the same.   

If you are running inner tubes – most commonly found on road bikes and gravel bikes – follow the step-by-step guide below. We also created a video to guide you through the process of replacing your tyre.  

Before getting started, fully deflate the tyre by opening the valve, and undo the lock ring fixing the valve against the rim. Take your first tyre lever and work it underneath the bead of the tyre. You can usually secure this lever in place using the hook at the other end to ‘grab on’ to one of the wheel spokes. Take a second lever and insert it close to the first, then firmly but carefully move it along the rim away from the first lever, unseating the bead of the tyre as you go. Work it round until the whole tyre bead is free. You may find the tyre comes off the wheel completely at this point, or you may need to repeat the process on the other tyre bead if it’s particularly stubborn. 

If you’re changing your tyres, it could be because you got a puncture that proved to be the final straw for your old ones. If that’s the case, don’t forget to take out that tube and repair or replace it. 

Now let’s get that new tyre on. Road bike tyres can be tight-fitting, and some cyclists will leave the new tyre on top of a radiator for 30 minutes before installing to promote a little extra flexibility. First we want to get one bead of the tyre on the rim. Starting where the valve is located on the rim, put the bead inside the well of the rim. Work your way around until one full side of the tyre bead is fully seated, leaving the other side flapping over. 

Now let’s put the inner tube back in. The tyre is only half-seated at this point, and you should be able to push it aside enough to allow you to get the inner tube valve through the hole in the rim. Once the valve is through, secure it with the lock ring. Now try to push the inner tube ‘up’ into the interior cavity of the tyre. This keeps the tube out of the way, making it easier to seat the second bead of the tyre. 

Starting again at the valve, push the second bead over the rim so that it slots into place inside the rim well. Move around the rim with each hand going in the opposite direction, moving the bead onto the rim as you go. When you’re about halfway, you can rotate the wheel 180° so the valve is at the base. 

The tyre will get snugger and snugger as you progress, and you may need to use a tyre lever for the final part. Be very careful not to snag the inner tube while doing this, as you may tear the tube. 

It is definitely worth checking around the tyre to make sure nothing has pinched or squashed under the bead. Give the tyre a wiggle around any areas that look uneven, and try to get the inner tube to go up into the tyre. Give the tyre a little bit of air with your pump. This should help you identify any pinched areas, before inflating fully. Check the recommended PSI on the sidewall of your tyre.  

Fit the wheel back into the bike and you’re good to go! 

With your new tyre installed, it’s time to go riding. But don’t forget to look after those new ‘shoes’ so they maintain performance and keep you safe for longer. 

Maintain the correct tyre pressure to ensure a smooth ride and prevent flats. Under-inflated tyres can lead to pinch flats and increased rolling resistance, while overinflated tyres can reduce traction and make the ride uncomfortable. Use a reliable gauge and check pressure before every ride. Follow the manufacturer's recommended PSI range. 

Regularly examine your tyres for tread wear, cuts, debris, and sidewall damage. Perform a visual inspection before and after each ride to catch issues early. 

Rotate tyres to even out wear, and replace them every 2,500 to 4,000 kilometres, depending on usage and conditions. Proper rotation and timely replacement maintain performance and safety. 

Thinking of buying a new road bike? Check out our buyer’s guide for advice on what to look for. We also have a really neat road bike comparison tool so you can weigh up your options.