{"id":33875,"date":"2022-02-22T19:00:55","date_gmt":"2022-02-22T18:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=664082"},"modified":"2022-02-22T19:19:49","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T18:19:49","slug":"why-you-should-recycle-tyres-and-inner-tubes-and-how-to-do-so","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/why-you-should-recycle-tyres-and-inner-tubes-and-how-to-do-so\/","title":{"rendered":"Why you should recycle tyres and inner tubes \u2013 and how to do so"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 22 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Wearing out bike tyres and puncturing inner tubes is an unavoidable part of any rider\u2019s life, but what should you do when your tyres are unserviceable and your inner tubes can no longer be repaired?<\/p>\n

In this guide, we will cover what to do when your tyres and tubes reach the end of their life. We\u2019ll also explain how to tell if your tyres are worn out and how to increase the life of your tyres, with input from experts at Schwalbe, Continental and WTB.<\/p>\n

How do I know if my tyres are worn out?<\/h2>\n
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The tread knobs have run down and cracked, a sure sign of wear.<\/span><\/figcaption> Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

To maintain grip and stay safe, it\u2019s important to know when to replace your tyres. When the tread runs down too low, your tyres will have less grip or be susceptible to a blow-out.<\/p>\n

Some bicycle tyres have wear indicators, usually in the form of grooves or pimples that wear away over time. These are a helpful indicator of remaining tyre life, but are not failsafe.<\/p>\n

On tyres without wear indicators, warning signs include cuts and slashes to the tread and sidewall, flat spots on the crown of the tyre, and any unusual bumps and bulges. If the tyre casing is visible, it\u2019s certainly time to fit new tyres.<\/p>\n

A tyre can also become damaged through a big impact (for example, hitting a pothole at speed), repeated punctures, an irreparable cut or, in most cases, general wear and tear through riding.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unlucky, a slash to the tyre sidewall can be unrepairable. When the damage is less severe, knowing how to repair a punctured tubeless tyre<\/a> is friendly on both the environment and your wallet.<\/p>\n

How to reduce tyre wear<\/h2>\n
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Choosing the right tyre for your intended riding is key to increasing tyre life.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Reducing the frequency with which you have to repair or replace an inner tube or tyre is the first test before sending anything to landfill.<\/p>\n

Some tyres will wear faster than others, so choose a tyre that best suits where and how you\u2019re riding. For example, a lightweight race-focused tyre with a soft compound will likely have a higher wear rate than a durable commuting or winter tyre<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cChoosing the right tyre for the intended purpose, using the right tyre pressure<\/a> and sensible riding style have a substantial impact on the durability and wear of [your tyre]\u201d says Schwalbe\u2019s corporate social responsibility manager, Felix Jahn.<\/p>\n

Riding style also plays a key part in improving tyre life.<\/p>\n

The most skilful riders don\u2019t ride in the gutter, thereby avoiding detritus likely to cause punctures, such as broken glass. They also dodge potholes and drain covers, and know how to unweight the bike on rough off-road terrain.<\/p>\n

Continental\u2019s Sarah Hohmann-Spohr says storing tyres somewhere with a consistent ambient temperature \u2013 not too warm, not too cold \u2013 will also help extend lifespan. \u201cAlso, keep [tyres] away from the sun when not in use,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

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Brands say spilled sealant washes away harmlessly.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Going tubeless may use fewer inner tubes, but tubeless tyres<\/a> need thicker casings (therefore, more rubber). Sealant spills can also be messy, even if a number of brands have previously assured BikeRadar that the environmental impact of tubeless sealant<\/a> is minimal.<\/p>\n

As for inner tubes, a TPU construction \u2013 for example, the Pirelli P Zero Smartube<\/a> \u2013 may prove more resilient than butyl alternatives and be easier to recycle. In addition, the rubber in butyl inner tubes is made in an energy-intensive process from petroleum.<\/p>\n

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Latex inner tubes\u2019 properties are a blessing and curse for the environment.<\/span><\/figcaption> David Caudery \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Pricier, fast-rolling latex tubes are more puncture-prone, so won\u2019t last as long, however the natural rubber they contain is carbon-neutral and biodegradable.<\/p>\n

Then again, natural rubber has similar sustainability issues to palm oil, since rainforest is cut down in the tropics to make room for rubber tree plantations.<\/p>\n

Reuse<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s important to remember that tyres aren\u2019t a single-use item.<\/span><\/figcaption> Matthew Loveridge \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you do upgrade to a new set of road bike tyres<\/a> and your old pair are in decent condition, you can still give them a new lease of life.<\/p>\n

WTB\u2019s James Heaton says: \u201cTo extend the life of your tyres, the simplest answer is to ride them for longer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no need to fit new tyres once the tread gets a little bit worn. If you do want to fit new tyres for a specific event, then keep hold of the old ones and re-fit them later when maximum traction isn\u2019t at the top of the agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n

A worn but safe set of tyres make perfectly adequate winter, training or commuter tyres, especially if you have a second bike.<\/p>\n

Also consider giving them away to a cycling pal, or a cycling charity or cooperative \u2013 check before taking them because some projects only accept bikes, not spare parts.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, you should always repair punctured inner tubes<\/a> before throwing them away.<\/p>\n