Tire Wear?

Victor Valaitis has some nice Michelin Pro 2 Race tires; these have a slick tread so it can be difficult to tell when they are nearly worn out. Victors question is “how to tell when a tread on a tire is worn down so much as to be unsafe?” Here is our advice.

Question:

How do you know when a tread on a tire is worn down so much as to be unsafe? I am using Michelin Pro2 Race tires and they have no tread pattern.

Hi Victor,

Take a good look at the entire tire, starting with the side walls, is there any damage? If so you must change it as if the side wall goes while you are riding there is a good chance of you having a crash as there will be nothing between the rim and the road surface, soon to be followed by nothing Between you and the road surface!

Next inspect the tread area for cuts, these come from

the hard and sharp stones of the road surface and pieces of glass, of course. If the cut is not too deep then you should be OK, but if you can see the threads of the casing of the tire, then you must change it as this is too deep and could split leaving you with a shredded tire. Some people use Super glue to stick the cuts together, I don’t recommend this as it goes very hard and can be like glass also you might stick your fingers to the tire. If you want to try to glue a cut in the tread together then use rubber solution glue, the one you use to stick patches on inner tubes, its much safer.

Next look and feel with your fingers for any bulges in the tire, this is caused because the casing has split underneath the tread and there is a good chance you will have a blow-out, and if this happens on a descent you could come out of it in a very bad state.

To tell if a slick tire is worn, you will normally notice that the middle of the rubber tread area, the bit that runs on the road, will wear flat in the centre and not be round any more, if you ride it for too long then the strip underneath or the threads of the casing will show, but usually you will have puncture by this time and noticed that the tire looks pretty bad.

I hope this answers your question, Victor?

TOP TIP: Inspect your tires before every ride; it could save you a long walk home!