Tyre life

[D project]

I've got a few MX tyres that are a couple of years old but the tread still ok.
What's the rubber life span,do they loose there grip/performance and how do you tell?

[Nathan S]

Yes, they go hard with age. How long it takes, depends on how they're stored: outside in the sun is the worst. Inside a nice cool, dark shed is the best.

I mainly notice old tyres on hard-pack, where they don't bend and conform to the ground like they should, but even in good conditions there is a (barely) noticeable difference compared to a fresh version of the same tyre. They generally feel a bit more wooden, and give up a bit earlier and more suddenly.

When they're really past their best and are a lighter grey colour, they tend to feel a bit chalky to touch, and they wear out really quickly (like chalk, I guess). But if you can't pick a tyre like this as being well past it's prime just be looking at it...

[Graeme M]

How times have changed eh? Back in 1978, a grizzled old enduro rider (OK, he was 26, but that was old to me) gave me a pro tip. Leave the tyre out in the sun for a while to harden up, then they'll last better....

[80-85 husky]

real rubber does, that's what tyres used to be made of....

[Rossvickicampbell]

I was afraid to jump on and say that.  I used to have a Trelleborg 10 masters 5.50 x 18 always spare - hardening up for when needed 

[pokey]

Many many eons ago I had a set of trelleborgs I used for hard rocky ground. had them for years and bought them used. mongrel of a things to fit being so hard but they worked well for fast slides.  rest of the time it was nice soft yokahama

[skypig]

I just put the original Bridgstone knobbys back on my 2006 EXC. They were removed while virtually brand new. Now about 10 years old, they seemed fine. I've done a few good rides and they feel ok, and surprisingly no knobs have ripped off.

At the other end of the spectrum: I loved my brand new Metzler MC5s at Conondale 2 weeks ago. A starting gate and a natural terrain MX track including wet grass calls for sharp, knobs. (Soft rubber for the hard pack sections).

As Wasp so sagely points out: grip, longevity - pick one.


MC5s seem to be the bargain of the century at MCAS.

[Brian Watson]

I have had some Trelleborgs...they got so old and hard the side knobs broke off....as for " new "...well anything with a sharp edge is fine.. I have used Rinaldi on the rear..great value ..and are an OK pattern..but..as far as the front goes..you cannot go past a Dunlop MX32..

[80-85 husky]

years ago I was out of work and on a tight budget and I bought a Hwa Fong tyre for the back of my husky. It held air so that was a bonus. it actually performed brilliantly in wet greasy red clay getting tractor like grip when everyone else was pushing. have never seen them since.