How do you tell when it's time for new track tires?

[BLINGMW]

On a car, for me, it's run it to at least the wear bars, maybe to the cords. Sure, grip is far from when it was new, but who cares? Ok, it's sliding too much, I'll drift around for the last few sessions and get some new tires before next time.

But clearly... the consequences of reduced grip on a bike are a little more severe. I'm not good enough to reliably operate in the "slide" range, so it's pretty much on rails, or there's a tiny wiggle and I'm like hock:, or it's on the ground. So how will I know? Should I buy a tire durometer? Can you run a sport/street tire until it's nearly out of tread at the track? I haven't found much to read on this, so something to read or some advice would be much appreciated. I don't really want to have to low side like 3 times in a row to finally realize, hey, maybe it's tire time.

(I'm talking about fairly new tires. I realize old, cracked tires are a no-no for track use. Car or bike. Oh, and I'm talking dry, maybe damp conditions too, clearly low tread in the rain is dumb.)

[Ginger]

This is going to be a terrible answer, but I change them when they don't feel right anymore. At some point in a tire's life I bend it in and wonder if it's gonna stick - it may be mental, or a change in tactile feedback, but when I'm not sure anymore, I swap.

[BLINGMW]

well, it's not a terrible answer if that's the right one. I'm just hoping for something a little more technical that doesn't rely solely on my perception and senses. As we all know, those can be deceiving.

I did find the same question asked here though, with some somewhat helpful responses:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=161674">http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=161674</a><!-- m -->

And there's other discussions about durometers, but no-one really claims to rely on them. So I'm still kind of left with a not-so-clear answer. Maybe once I learn to slide the bike safely, I'll just be able to tell then? :dunno:

[PGK]

This is going to be a terrible answer, but I change them when they don't feel right anymore. At some point in a tire's life I bend it in and wonder if it's gonna stick - it may be mental, or a change in tactile feedback, but when I'm not sure anymore, I swap.

Really? Honestly? I've seen your tires. BALD.

[.RJ]

shit thats funny :lol:

[Ginger]

Really? Honestly? I've seen your tires. BALD.

Yes, really. I'm not riding the nine hundred pound beached whale on track.

[.RJ]

[BLINGMW]

Thanks, you guys were SUPER helpful :roll: :lol:

[stevegula]

If you do a session and the tires don't soften up, then replace them.

If you start coming out of turns at normal (to you) pace and the rear starts slipping, then you need to replace it.

If you're trailbreaking a usual amount and you're pushing the front, replace it.

It really depends on the type of tires, the rider, and general storage of the bike. You can treat it like a car. When the tires start slipping, replace them.