Checking Tire Tread Depth

[Sunman]

OK, all the years I have ridden bikes I have never used a tread depth gauge to check remaining tread. I have always just eye-balled the tire and replaced it when I thought it was ready. I bought a gauge this week and the question is where do you check the remaining tread depth, on top of the wear bar or next to the wear bar? On the front tire on my Freewheeler I am barely starting to see the wear bars. Placing the gauge on top of the wear bar there is between 2/32" and 3/32". Gauging next to the wear bar there is between 4/32" and 5/32" remaining tread depth. The tire has 4,044 miles on it and still looks plenty good. Seems to me there should still be plenty of miles left in it.

Where should the tread depth be checked? Thanks, Sunman

[David357]

On top of the wear bar.

[rhino 2]

Now this i just me, I have never used a tread gauge, And with all my thousands of pounds of tools that i have there aren't any tread gauges among them, Except for maybe a stray penny.....I just eye ball them, To Paraphrase Potter Steward... You'll know when to change them when you see it...

[Sully]

Yep, Use Lincoln's Head on that Penny........

[ol' school]

Yep, Use Lincoln's Head on that Penny........

That is how I've always done it...

[Sunman]

Thanks for the replies!

Sunman

[MikeyTX]

lol Almost like an oil thread. We all have a different view point. I replace when I'm close to 3/32". I do not wait till I am at the wear bar like some do or even further.