Currently, mountain biking is at the peak of popularity for its extraordinary capabilities. Still, many riders face the problem that mountain bike tires going bald after a few weeks. And this can happen for various reasons, like- wrong tire pressure, too much friction, poor tyre quality, lack of rotation, unusual weight distribution, extra dirt material on tread, unsuitable riding technique, and many more things.
As a mountain bike rider, definitely, you don’t want to face such problems while riding. So, this dissertation will be very special & mandatory for you. Because you’ll know more important information including the reason for the baldness of mountain bike tyres, how you can prevent such things, quick tips for mountain bike tire maintenance, and other important facts.
Some Types Of Mountain Bike Tyre
- Cross-Country (XC) Tyres
- All-Mountain (AM) Tyres
- Enduro Tyres
- Downhill (DH) Tyres
- Plus Tyres
- Fat Tyres
- Gravel Tyres
- Tubeless Tyres
Why Are Your Mountain Bike Tires Going Bald After Few Weeks?
Overinflation
It is a huge problem for any bike tire, not just mountain bike tires. The tire wears out quickly and goes bald due to over-inflation within a few weeks. Inflating the tires to the correct pressure is very important to avoid such problems. Moreover, over-inflated tires are more likely to slip and slide.
Low Tire Pressure
Just like overinflation, low tire pressure is also enough to make your mountain bike tires go bald. Because at this time, if even a small object on the road gets into the tire, it can cause a big problem. So, of course, you need to set the correct psi for your weight and terrain. In that case, you can use a tire pressure monitoring system to make things easier. Through this, you can easily understand how much air is in the tire.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment plays a very important role in maintaining proper balance and riding of MTB. But most of the riders continue cycling without using it. This results in various types of accidents, imbalances, and tire baldness. In normal cycling, both tires on your bicycle take different levels of pressure. And to eliminate some of that pressure, wheel alignment is crucial. Also, MTB tyres tend to go bald for misuse and lack maintenance of wheel alignment, after a few weeks of use.
Riding Habits
Most of the time MTB tyres become bald for your riding habit. Many riders ride very aggressively. As a result, many harmful effects are spread on the tire. Again, some people start skidding their bicycle tires or create unnecessary riding pressure without understanding the type of road. And tires are becoming bald for all these unusual cycling habits.
Overweight
Every bicycle tire has a specific weight capacity. And if that weight capacitor goes out and gained extra weight, then more pressure falls on the tire. Even though mountain bike tires are thick enough, they are prone to balding for being overweight. So avoid overweighting your bicycle tires.
Tyre Width
If tires are too wide for the rim on a mountain bike, they go narrow quickly. And that’s why a right-width tire plays a relatively important part. So, never forget to select a tire width that is suitable for your mtb’s rim size.
Terrain Categories
Mountain bikes are manufactured specifically for riding in off-road areas. Regardless of the category of terrain you are biking, be conscious about that. Also, don’t forget to adjust your bicycle tire pressure accordingly. Riding on various loose, rocky, extra slippery, watery, and dirt terrains can cause your tires to go bald quickly. Whenever you do off-road riding with a mountain bike, you must try to ride on suitable roads. And even if you have to ride over uneven roads, take proper care of the tires.
Cheap Quality Tire & Poor Maintenance
As a cyclist, you must know that tyre quality and maintenance are vital for tyre longevity. If you use cheap quality tires to save some money, it is normal for them to go bald after a few weeks of use. You may remember, low-quality tires can wear out faster than high-quality tires. So, you should invest in good quality tires with a decent tread pattern and wear indicator.
Moreover, when you don’t pay attention to maintenance, the tire will deteriorate regardless of the quality. Therefore, maintain your tires appropriately, and test for wear & crack regularly.
Rocks, Dirt & Sharp Objects
While riding a bike on the road, rocks, sticks, dirt, curbs & many sharp objects stick to the tires. For this reason, mountain bike tires become bald very quickly. That’s why you have to be mindful to check on the trail for avoiding those things.
Tire Construction
There are various types of mountain bike tires so their construction systems are. Some tires are manufactured with a softer compound than others which can affect going bald faster. You should choose a tire that is constructed for the terrain you’re cycling or going to.
Preventing Bald Of Your MTB Tires
- Test the MTB’s tyre pressure regularly.
- Try a favorable tread pattern for the terrain you’ll be riding.
- Obtain adequate sealant in your tires to reduce punctures and breaks.
- Rotate the tires when you feel or hear some creaky sounds.
- Avoid excessive braking or skidding.
- A higher thread count can support a better grip.
- Choose tires that are the correct size for your bike and fit the rim correctly.
- Never over-inflate your tires.
- If they start to express signs of wear and tear, replace the tires as soon as possible.
- Check the wheel alignment timely.
- The wider tires, the more traction. Also, tubeless tyres are better for grip and friction. So, it can provide a strong feeling in your riding period. But don’t forget to adjust your riding habits.
- Clean and lubricate the sidewalls of the tire regularly.
So, How Long Should MTB Tires Last?
Most of the time, the average lifespan of a mountain bike tire is between 2,000 miles to 8,000 miles. Still, how long your mountain bike tires can last depends entirely on riding conditions, style, type of tire, terrain, road surface, weather, and many other things.
Imagine you are using a mountain bike tire for cross-country (CX) riding on smooth roads. Then it will undoubtedly last more than the tires used in downhill racing on rough terrain.
Similarly, tires with thicker sidewalls and more aggressive tread patterns can provide better output over time. But lighter and faster tires with softer rubber compounds wear out more quickly.
But in general, if you cycle two to three times a week, the tire can last up to two years.
Final Saying
Mountain biking can provide a different kind of fun experience to your off-road riding as well as various technical riding. And that’s why it’s never a good impression if your MTB tyres go bald after a few weeks of use. Thus you have to be more careful all the term. Want to be a pro-cyclist? Then it is a must to take proper care of your bicycle tires and riding system.
