Used Bicycle Tires Near Me

Bicycle tires are an important part of a safe and comfortable ride. Well, getting them second hand is a big money saver, it can’t be at the sacrifice of your safety. A bicycle just has two points of contact with the road so size, shape, compound, and condition are critical. Below I will discuss buying used bicycle tires, how to properly choose the right kind, and my experience with buying used bicycle tires near me.

Map of Used Bicycle Tires Near Me

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Who Sells Used Bicycle Tires and Tubes Near Me

Second hand bicycle tires and tubes are not as prevalent on the market as used car, truck, and motorcycle tires. You can still find them though if you know where to look. In my experience used tire shops, don’t carry them. So where do you look?

The best places that I find used bicycle tires near me are bicycle salvage yards, bike shops, craigslist, and other apps like LetGo and the neighborhood app. If you are looking at your local options, never buy second hand bicycle tires from someone you don’t trust. You really need to vet them and ask a lot of questions before you purchase a second hand pair.

If you look online you can find them on Ebay and there are used bike tire shops as well. The same rules apply though. Never buy from someone you don’t trust.

Buying Used Locally vs Buying Them Online

I prefer buying locally to buying online products. When you make a local purchase you can visually inspect the tires and/or tubes. You can put your hands on the rubber and feel for imperfections and issues. You can visually inspect the tread and the inner liner.

Buying them online doesn’t allow you to choose that option. You are trusting what the person tells you about the condition of the tire. Now if you find a used tire shop for bicycles online, that’s a different story if they have reviews. Read the reviews and see what people say. You want to make sure that the condition of the tires they advertise is actually the condition their customers receive. Some places may mis-repesent the condition and age of the tire.

The Dangers of Used Bike Tires

Used tires are dangerous, regardless of the application. I don’t care if they are for an old-school 10 speed or a new mountain bike. There are risks in buying used. The risks in my opinion are not worth it!

Used tires for bicycles have lower traction and you only have only two very thin contact points with the ground. This means reduced traction. It can mean the difference between going off a mountain or sliding out into traffic.

Used bicycle tires have other issues like repairs and worn sidewalls all which reduce the ability to provide a stable ride. If you aren’t that familiar with how bicycle tires wear out over time, many of these issues you will miss if you don’t have a lot of experience.

In my honest opinion, getting a used tire for any kind of bicycle is risky. I know that the prices are alluring, but the risk is to high compared to the cost savings.

What to Consider When Buying Used

Most Cyclists will think about price first. I recommend you think about safety and security first.

How to Assess a Used Tires Quality

Tread depth is important, but not the only consideration you need to assess. For example, never buy a bicycle tire that is more than 5 years old. The chemical compounds used in the rubber begin to break down and starts rotting. This makes the tire unstable and unsafe.

Here are a few things to consider:

Tread Depth
Aging (Never buy a tire more than 5 years old), look for aging signs like cracked rubber
Improper Repairs
Inside Liner Damage
Tube Damage
Look for uneven tread wear
Hashtag like patterns on the sidewall
Wear Indicators showing
Small cuts or clits

If the tire needs a tube, which is common on spoke rims, replace the tubes and the tires at the same exact time. As time passes, tubes stretch out and can crease when next time you do a tire change. If you have a tube get the same size on the tire markings for compatibility.

When to Replace Your Tires

It’s important that you replace your tires when they need it. Like shoes, car tires, and other products that get a lot of wear, your bicycle tires won’t be able to perform at their best when they are worn out. If you leave them for too long, they could even become unsafe and cause accidents and injuries, as well as more expensive damage to your bike.

Some of the signs that your tires need replacing that you should watch out for include:

Frequent flat tires, or a regular noticeable reduction in pressure
Tire treads are noticeably worn down
Poor handling, or an obvious drag to one side
Rounded and uneven treads all around the tire, or just at the edges
A pattern like hashtags present on the sides of your tires
Cracked rubber that might be flaking away from the tire
Distortion of the tire
Tiny slits around the tire, which might be particularly noticeable in wet weather, when they may cause poor grip
Small cuts that contain grass or debris
If you have wear indicators, they may be disappearing

Choosing the Right Size

It’s important that you get the right size tire. This is typically written on the sidewall of your current tire and should be easy to find. Some tires will show just one number; others may show two or even three. As long as the new tire that you select matches one of these numbers, it will fit on your bike.

For example, you may see 29”x 2.3”. This means that your tire has a diameter of 29 inches and a width of 2.3 inches. This size is fairly typical on a mountain bike. If you ride a road bike, you can expect to see the measurement in millimeters, perhaps 700x25c.

The new international standard tire measurement is starting to be used more frequently. In this standard, you might see 25×622, with the 622 referring to the measurement of the inside of the tire, instead of the 700mm diameter of the outside.

What Width Do You Need?

The diameter of the new tire should be an exact match for your bike. But you have more options when it comes to width, and your choice will depend on how you use your bicycle.
If you often ride on snow, sand, or other challenging terrains, then you might opt for a fat or plus size tire. These offer excellent grip wherever you are riding.

On the other hand, racing bikes usually have the thinnest tires with widths of between 23-25mm. Bikes for long distances, such as cross-country riding, or commenting, are often somewhere in the middle. Get advice for your specific bike and needs before choosing a width.

High-End Brands vs More Affordable Options

Tires, like everything else, come in a range of price points. High-end brands charge a lot more than small brands and other budget options. While higher-end brands often offer more luxury, and hard wearing options, how much you choose to spend should depend on your budget, your needs, and how much use your bike is going to get.

If you are considering going with a used bicycle tire, then the higher end options are a much better choice. Higher end brands have better R&D budgets which means better technology in the tires. Still, I would buy a new pair of no name brand tires before I bought used name-brand tires.

Who Buys Used Bicycle Tires Near Me

In my experience, at least with bicycle shops and salvages, they will often buy used bicycle tires. The amount you can get for used bicycle tires is going to vary greatly depending on the brand, condition, rubber compound, tread, and age of the tire. You are not going to get much money though, max maybe $15-20 for a pair. If you are exchanging them at a bike shop for new tires, you may get a bit more.

The best way to get the most return on them though is selling them independently. using Craigslist, eBay, or other sites. Bike shops and salvages need to make a profit, which means they need to get them cheap so they can resell them. When you sell your used bicycle tires, you can charge what you want and cut out the middleman.

Why Opt for Used Bicycle Tires?

When it comes to making sustainable choices in our daily lives, opting for used bicycle tires can offer a myriad of benefits that extend beyond mere cost savings. Firstly, let’s delve into the environmental benefits. By choosing used tires, you actively participate in a recycling loop that reduces waste and minimizes the demand for the production of new tires. This not only conserves resources but also diminishes the energy-intensive processes involved in manufacturing, thereby mitigating our carbon footprint.

From a financial standpoint, used bicycle tires are incredibly cost-effective. Navigating through various categories of tires in a store or online platform, you’ll notice a significant price disparity between new and used tires, without necessarily compromising on quality. This cost-effectiveness doesn’t only pertain to the initial purchases but also extends to the long-term maintenance of your bicycle, especially when the used tires are in good condition.

Speaking of condition, the quality and durability of well-maintained used tires should not be underestimated. It’s crucial to understand that many used tires available in the market come from bicycles that may have been barely ridden, ensuring that their parts and products are still in prime condition. With the right tools and a little know-how, you can easily protect and maintain these tires, ensuring they serve you for miles to come.

Moreover, opting for used tires doesn’t mean you relinquish control over the security and safety of your ride. Many platforms that sell used bicycle parts provide ample information about the tire’s history and condition, allowing you to make informed decisions. Additionally, you might receive updates, offers, and tips via email on how to maximize the use and longevity of your purchased items, ensuring that you ride safely and securely without breaking the bank.