When to replace front tire?

[brianl]

I bought my trike last June, 2019. The trike kit and tires were new. There is an Avon trike tire on the front that now has 10,000 miles on it. I don't see any signs of "cupping" and the bike rides great. How many miles do you get out of your front tires? Should I just replace it based on miles alone? What is the "wear mark" and what exactly am I looking for?

[Lee H. Mann]

I bought my trike last June, 2019. The trike kit and tires were new. There is an Avon trike tire on the front that now has 10,000 miles on it. I don't see any signs of "cupping" and the bike rides great. How many miles do you get out of your front tires? Should I just replace it based on miles alone? What is the "wear mark" and what exactly am I looking for?

Mileage varies according to the rider's style (abuse).

My advice is to get a tread depth gauge.

Your tire is not old enough to re-tire yet.



I'll sell you my old gauge for $1.00.

[tfdeputydawg]

You beat me to it Lee I was going to offer the OP my gauge for $10

[Jack Klarich]

Get this @ Walmart for $3.00

[Phu Cat]

For what it's worth, last time I replaced my trike's front tire I had them install a rear motorcycle tire (Dunlop E-3) backward and it's wearing nicely with no steering problems or vibration about 10,000 miles ago.

PC

[Fearless]

I'm running a Commander II rear on the front and getting great mileage on the tread I should get 6K to 7K more out of it and I have close to 18K on it now. just sayin... Fred

P.S. I looking at the newer Commander III series touring Tires lower profile stronger casing or so Michelin says. Fred

[PosseRider]

Tire mileage will vary greatly according to how you ride ,& type of road surface. Mostly state highways for me on long distance trips & easy riding , Over 17,000 on my 1st Avon Trike tire, & was still good. Harder riding & a lot more aggressive twisty riding & your mileage will reduce. I have done much more twisty riding on this 2nd Avon & at 14k it is getting closer to replacement. Get the tire depth gauge & you will be ok. Only other variable would be age of tire. Look for check marks on the sidewall. Regardless of tire brand everyone will get diff miles according to the way they ride & type of riding surface.

[Gideon]

For what it's worth, last time I replaced my trike's front tire I had them install a rear motorcycle tire (Dunlop E-3) backward and it's wearing nicely with no steering problems or vibration about 10,000 miles ago.

PC

I also use a Dunlop Rear in Reverse Rotation. Here in Indiana, I am averaging between 13 to 15,000 miles.

[Phu Cat]

​Fearless, would a lower profile tire throw your speedometer off?

PC

[PosseRider]

​Fearless, would a lower profile tire throw your speedometer off?

PC

Fred had told me it did,but, I forgot how much !! He will be back sooner or later to verify.

[Fearless]

​Fearless, would a lower profile tire throw your speedometer off?

PC

The front tire will not change the speedo only rear tires, of that I'm sure. A lower profile will make your trike handle better it will plant the front tire the transfer of a pound or two will make a huge difference for the better. The seventy series tire rear (higher) sure help my handling, it really planted my front tire no more washing out on turns. Now if you change the rear tires from the 65 series to 70 series it will slow the speedo 2 MPH. And it lowered my RPM's in sixth gear by 250 rpms. which I seems is a great change. I don't get to 3,000 RPM till just over 70 now. My rear Michelin commander II on the front has been an exceptionally good tire for us, however I'm anal about tire pressures. I run 38 lb. in it. I did try 36lb. but after a short time I saw a shadow of cupping and bumped up the air pressure.

[brianl]

The front tire will not change the speedo only rear tires, of that I'm sure. A lower profile will make your trike handle better it will plant the front tire the transfer of a pound or two will make a huge difference for the better. The seventy series tire rear (higher) sure help my handling, it really planted my front tire no more washing out on turns. Now if you change the rear tires from the 65 series to 70 series it will slow the speedo 2 MPH. And it lowered my RPM's in sixth gear by 250 rpms. which I seems is a great change. I don't get to 3,000 RPM till just over 70 now. My rear Michelin commander II on the front has been an exceptionally good tire for us, however I'm anal about tire pressures. I run 38 lb. in it. I did try 36lb. but after a short time I saw a shadow of cupping and bumped up the air pressure.

I took my trike in last year for service by non-trike mechanics. When I picked it up they mentioned they had increased the rear tire pressures from my usual 24 and 22 psi to 36 psi. They figured that is what car tires should be. I took the interstate home and it was white knuckled riding all the way home. Felt like I was going to fly off the seat all the way home. Never again.

[Lee H. Mann]

The front tire will not change the speedo only rear tires, of that I'm sure. A lower profile will make your trike handle better it will plant the front tire the transfer of a pound or two will make a huge difference for the better. The seventy series tire rear (higher) sure help my handling, it really planted my front tire no more washing out on turns. Now if you change the rear tires from the 65 series to 70 series it will slow the speedo 2 MPH. And it lowered my RPM's in sixth gear by 250 rpms. which I seems is a great change. I don't get to 3,000 RPM till just over 70 now. My rear Michelin commander II on the front has been an exceptionally good tire for us, however I'm anal about tire pressures. I run 38 lb. in it. I did try 36lb. but after a short time I saw a shadow of cupping and bumped up the air pressure.

On some models with mechanical speedometers that are driven by the front wheel, there will be an error. These include pre-99 Harleys and a number of Japanese (Goldwings & Valkyries) and European bikes.

[rhino 2]

I took my trike in last year for service by non-trike mechanics. When I picked it up they mentioned they had increased the rear tire pressures from my usual 24 and 22 psi to 36 psi. They figured that is what car tires should be. I took the interstate home and it was white knuckled riding all the way home. Felt like I was going to fly off the seat all the way home. Never again.

Do you remember the firestone/ford Explorer fiasco a few years ago ever since then all tire Installers and sellers must adhere to certain standards of air pressure it’s up to you to readjust the air pressure!! By Law they cannot put Less pressure than recommend by the tire manufacturers And the trike manufacturers...

[Lee H. Mann]

Do you remember the firestone/ford Explorer fiasco a few years ago ever since then all tire Installers and sellers must adhere to certain standards of air pressure it’s up to you to readjust the air pressure!! By Law they cannot put Less pressure than recommend by the tire manufacturers And the trike manufacturers...

Bob, how time flies ..... that was in 2000. My, how time just flies by.....

[rhino 2]

Bob, how time flies ..... that was in 2000. My, how time just flies by.....

Wow 20 years ago seems like only yesterday 😱...

[Lee H. Mann]

Wow 20 years ago seems like only yesterday 😱...

Yes, it was only yesterday I had a full head of hair, yesterday in the scheme of all things.

[LadyonaMission]

I took my trike in last year for service by non-trike mechanics. When I picked it up they mentioned they had increased the rear tire pressures from my usual 24 and 22 psi to 36 psi. They figured that is what car tires should be. I took the interstate home and it was white knuckled riding all the way home. Felt like I was going to fly off the seat all the way home. Never again.

I took my new Freewheeler to the dealership for 1K service. On the checklist they had my tire pressure written down, next to it the adjusted pressure of 29/29. The manual states 26 so I thought it was written down incorrectly. As soon as I got out of the parking lot I knew they were overinflated so I came home (3 miles) and solved that problem.

[rhino 2]

Yes, it was only yesterday I had a full head of hair, yesterday in the scheme of all things.

Now i can't get the Beatles song Yesterday out of my head.....

Yesterday all i had for breakfast was my scramble eggs....

[CrystalPistol]

When to replace front tire?

Before the air shines through.

In spirited mountain riding, mileage attained is lower than like out west where roads are straight. Sedate riding generates more miles to the tire. A trike being pushed in a curve is scuffing the front tire across a narrow tread contact patch. Pushed harder, it wears faster. The oftener narrower rounded treaded front tire is carrying more weight than either of the big fat flat treaded rear car tires.

If you start seeing cracks in the rubber, not just minor stress marks in tread grooves … but cracks that look like wood checking, it's time.

If a bubble pops up, it's time.

If Mr. Lincoln's head is all clear of the tread groove, it's time.

The front tire is not likely to hydroplane due to the weight carried on that narrow contact patch, not even if slick, but less tread increases the chances of leaks from gravel, thumb tacks, etc. What will hydroplane are those fat car tires on the back on wet standing or running water at speed.