Where to start
Begin with pressure, tread, and both sidewalls. Rotate each wheel slowly in good light, then investigate any area that looks raised, cut, abraded, or different from the rest of the casing.
6 focused guides
Bike tire care and inspection
Tires are the bicycle’s only contact with the road. A useful tire check separates harmless surface marks from casing damage that can cause a sudden loss of pressure.
Know the safety line
Stop riding when the casing is bulging, cords are visible, a cut opens under pressure, the bead will not seat consistently, or damage continues to grow. A photograph can document the problem, but it cannot prove the tire is safe.
Guides in this topic
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Bike Tire Bulge: Why You Should Stop Riding
What a tire bulge means, the safe checks you can make, and when the tire needs to come off the bike.
Bike Tire Cut: Can You Still Ride?
How location, depth, casing exposure, and tire shape determine whether a cut needs immediate replacement.
Bike Tire Inspection: Tread, Sidewall, Bead, and Pressure
A complete visual and hands-on tire check that takes only a few minutes.
Bike Tire Sidewall Cracks: When They Are Unsafe
How to distinguish light surface aging from cracks that threaten the tire casing.
Bike Tire Wear Signs: What the Rubber Is Telling You
How to read tread, casing, sidewall, and ride-quality changes without relying on mileage alone.
When to Replace Bike Tires: Seven Clear Signs
Seven visible and ride-related signals that mean a bicycle tire has reached the end of its useful life.