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How Long Do BMX Tires Last?

how long do bmx tires last

Have you ever wondered how long BMX tires last?

Quick answer: A BMX tire should generally last six months to a year. But depending on riding frequency and style, you might need to replace it every four months or every two years.

It’s a real CONCERN because your session might end when you get a flat.

And when you say to yourself, “Okay, it’s time to change tires,” and you don’t, you might get a flat the next time, too – you’re just wasting your time.

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So it’s good to know about BMX tire longevity and the perfect time to replace it.

This post covers:

While I’ll share with you many useful tips about how to inspect your tires and how to make your tires last longer, unfortunately, I cannot tell you EXACTLY how long the tires will last.

Why?

Because the lifespan depends on multiple factors, such as your riding type and style (aggressive or smooth), the terrain you ride on and frequency of use.

If you hit mostly street and you happen to ride over some rough surfaces, even glass, your tires will need replacement a lot sooner than if you’re mainly shredding skateparks. (SADLY, even skateparks sometimes have broken glass.)

Moreover, if you’re grinding a lot, the walls of your tires will wear out, while if riding trails, they won’t get damaged.

You see, many reasons determine how long a BMX tire last.

BUT!

Another element that influences tire longevity is storage. If you buy tires in bulk, ensure they’re stored in a dark, cool and dry (humidity kills tires!) place.

Of course, the same goes for shops and dealers.

Luckily, tires sell quite fast, so they won’t be really collecting dust at a shop. Plus, shop owners know how to treat tires the right way.

How Do I Know If My BMX Tire Is Too Worn?

Here I want to share some of the signs to look for when it comes to replacing.

You must regularly inspect your BMX tires for signs of wear and tear (mostly) in the tread pattern, cracks, punctures (including sidewalls), bubbles, or bald spots. And if threads are showing through – REPLACE.

If you notice any of these issues, yes, it may be time to replace your tires. Otherwise, your tire(s) have the potential to a blowout.

How regularly?

At least weekly.

But if you know you rode over a rough surface, glass, nails, etc. – inspect your tires ON THE SPOT. At least that’s what I do.

It can get a little trickier with slick street BMX tires, where it’s hard to notice any tread pattern wear.

Usually, these tires have some sort of knurling, so if it’s completely smoothened out, you want to replace them because they’ll get too slippery.

You may also check slick tires from the side to see if they got any LESS rounded. If yes, it’s time to replace them.

When Should I Replace My BMX Tire?

Quick recap:

  • You should replace your tire if the tread pattern is visually worn.
  • You should replace your tire if threads show through.
  • You should replace your tire if there are bald spots.
  • You should replace your tire if it has cracks and punctures, including the sidewalls.
  • You should replace your tire if it’s getting less rounded.

Should I Replace Both Front & Rear Tire & Inner Tube At The Same Time?

Yes, if you decide to change a tire, I recommend you change both.

This allows you to avoid having a mismatched set, so you always know the life of both tires. Plus, having one fresh and one old tire can feel weird – I don’t like it.

In addition to tires, I also recommend changing the inner tubes (unless you recently changed them). Feel free to peek at my collection of the best BMX inner tubes.

New tires and tubes ensure safety and no more worries about your next flat.

How To Make Your BMX Tire Last Longer?

Here are a few tricks I tested in the past that contribute to your tires’ longevity:

  1. Ensure your tires have proper inflation because pressure can impact the lifespan greatly. Remember, you’ll experience more flats with low PSI than high PSI.*
  2. One handy trick is to rotate tires, back to front, monthly.**
  3. Be cautious about the terrain you ride on. (Don’t ride over broken glass if you can avoid it, or step down and carry your bike over it – yes, I’ll do just that.)
  4. Do NOT ride with a flat tire.
  5. Hitting curbs and copings can damage the tire and the rim.

* Don’t miss my article on choosing the best BMX tire pressure. And if you like to ride low PSI, I also recommend reading about BMX tire width.
** Switching tires is necessary to make them last longer if you’re doing much more feeble grinds than other grinds where both tires rub against the rail or ledge.

Remember, a BMX tire with a wire bead will last longer than one with a folding bead.

Conclusion: Is It Time For New BMX Tires?

If you’re starting to ask yourself this question, then yes, it’s probably time to get some new rubber.

Through this article, I showed you when to change your tires and how to inspect them, plus shared a few handy tricks to make them last longer.

However, the more you ride, especially street, the more often you’ll need to change your tires.

I have a collection of the best BMX tires ready for you to choose reliable ones you can TRUST confidently.

Finally: Don’t wait to get new tires!

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About Author

Rok has been riding BMX for 20+ years, and when he's not having a session, he binges on videos, new product drops and works on creating the best content (sharing tips, tricks & more to make riding bikes easier for you) for The BMX Dude.