We are lucky in Australia that we don’t have to worry about riding bikes in the snow unless we go out of our way! It is still a good idea to think about your tyres to make sure they get you safely through the cooler weather. Here are a few quick points to consider.
Check your tyre pressures.
This one is pretty simple! If you are riding less frequently it’s easy for the tyre to loose a little pressure between rides. It’s not your imagination, colder weather will cause lower tyre pressures. Each tyre will be marked with a manufacturers recommended pressure range. Ideally you want to be somewhere in the middle of that range unless your bike is loaded up (more pressure) or conditions require more grip or comfort (lower pressure). If your tyre is too hard it will slip and slide more easily. If you go too soft you can easily get punctures and increase wear and tear on the tyre. Check pressures before you ride for the best performance and you will know if you’ve got a slow leak before it’s too late. If you are regularly loosing lots of air it might be time to replace your tube or update your tubeless setup.
Are your tyres in good condition?
After a big summer season it’s a good idea to check that there are no splits, cuts or broken off knobs on your tyres. Small things can leave you stranded far from home and become a big pain. If you have big worn sections of tread, knobs that are worn and ragged or you can see the casing underneath your tyres are well past replacement time! Update to something new and give yourself piece of mind and improved performance.
What tyres should I run?
Just like everything it really comes down to your bike and riding style. Generally you might want to move away from fast and light summer tyres and onto something with a bit more grip and control in a wider range of conditions. For commuters, road riders and around the suburbs, a tyre with added puncture protection is a good idea as roads and bike paths will have extra debris and glass being washed into them during wet days. For dirt riders a tyre with a tougher casing and larger, deeper lugs will help grip in looser terrain and give more grip in corners. Softer compound tyres can provide more grip in wet conditions, especially on wet rocks and roots.
For road bikes the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro V is a great wet option and we generally recommend a wider tyre if they will fit your frame.
For mountain bikes the Maxxis Forekaster is a great all around tyre and the Dissector / Minion DHF combo is popular wet combo for more gravity focussed riding.
What about Tubeless?
For bikes with tubeless compatible rims it’s a good time to switch over to Tubeless tyres for more reliable puncture resistance. If you already have a tubeless setup, check your sealant levels as hot days and lot of riding can leave it dried up and not doing its job. Take your wheel out and give it a shake to hear if there is still liquid sealant inside. Check for any leaks and give your tyre/rim seal a good check over. If you want to upgrade to tubeless wheels then ask us for some options to suit your existing bike. Do you have a tubeless repair plug kit with you? A tubeless plug can save the day for cuts and slashes in a tubeless casing that sealant alone can’t solve and are surprisingly long lasting for a fast trailside fix.
What’s a tyre liner?
There are a couple of types these days. The original style installed between the tread of your tyre and the tube and helped to reduce your chance of getting punctures. These were a pretty good solution but were a bit heavy and broke down over time from wear and tear. Today liquid sealant can be added to tubes which is a good modern alternative as they can self seal and don’t change the feel of the bike.
More recently, mountain bike riders have adopted a newer style of tyre liner and rim protector that is a squishy insert that goes inside tubeless tyres for more aggressive off road riding. By adding a soft impact resistant material between the tyre and rim, the tyre is harder to cut and damage and the rim is less likely to get direct impacts. These can be added to most tubeless wheels and some are much easier to install than others.
Should I go out?
If you are planning a mountain bike, BMX or dirt ride check the local conditions and trail reports/social media. Many trails and tracks close during the winter and after rain events to protect the trail surface from damage. As a rule it’s a good idea to wait a few days if there has been more than 20mm or rain in 24 hours. Different soils and locations have different needs so ask a local club or with locals/regular riders if you are not sure. If you must ride, it’s better to get a bit muddy and ride through any standing water than riding around and blowing out the trails. If you can lend a hand at the next trail day or working bee and you’ll see how much love the trails need to keep them in prime conditions!
What tools will I need?
Just the basics for this one. A bicycle pump with a gauge or a bike pump and a pressure gauge. If you need to change your tyres a good set of plastic/nylon tyre levers will make it much easier. The two main kinds of tubes are the Schrader valve (same as a car valve) and the Presta valve (the thinner type on road, higher performance bikes plus most tubeless wheels). Many pumps can do both kinds or you can get a valve adaptor to suit.
We are here to help!
If you are not sure what you should do, have questions or need help to set up your bike on your own, drop in with your bike and ask us to show you the basics. We are here to make sure you have they best time when you ride!