How much does it cost to replace a Bike Tire?

Regardless of what type of bike you choose to ride and how careful you are with your riding, there’s every chance that you’re going to damage your tires. That’s why it’s essential that new cyclists learn about how much does it cost to replace a bike tire. 

So, how much does replacing a bike tire actually cost? 

The answer depends on several different factors. These variables include the quality of the tire, type of tire, size, and much more! If you’re looking to replace cheap tires, you’ll end up spending around $20 – $30, and better quality ones can end up costing above $100. 

To understand exactly how much it is to replace a bike tire, it’s essential to look at all the different variables in great detail. However, before we move on to discussing the factors at play, let’s first take a look at whether you’re going to need to replace the tire or a repair will do the job. 

Replace vs. Repair – Bike Tire 

Another reason why many cyclists suffer issues with their tires is because they don’t know when is the right time to repair a tire and when is the right time to replace it. Beginner cyclists especially will struggle because the decision varies from situation to situation. 

Generally, it’ll become easier to understand as you gain more cycling experience. However, here are a few tips that can help accelerate the learning process!

• When you get a new tire, and you suffer from a flat, you can get it repaired instead of getting a completely new tube. 
• If the grooves on your tires are starting to smooth over, then you need to replace the tire. 
• The positioning of the puncture has a major impact on whether you can repair or replace the tire. A puncture near the valve almost always requires a replacement. 
• Modern bike tires also feature tread wear indicators, checking those can let you know when it’s time to get new bike tires

These few tips will help you get a basic understanding of whether you need to replace a tire or a repair will work. Tire repairs tend to be significantly cheaper than buying a new tire, but that doesn’t mean you put off getting a replacement for as long as possible. 

Ideally, you should replace your bike tire quickly, so you stop putting yourself at risk of an injury. With that out of the way, let’s look at the different factors that impact the cost of replacing a bike tire. 

Variables that impact the cost of a bike tire

There are bikes available for many different price points because of the multiple variables that impact a bike tire’s cost. Here are all the essential variables that impact how much does it cost to replace a bike tire.

Bike Type

A significant factor that impacts how much does it cost to replace a bike tire is the type of bike. For example, a mountain bike will run mountain tires, hybrid bikes will run a hybrid tire, road bikes and fixie bikes will run road tires, and cruiser bikes run commuter tires.

Road tires tend to be the most expensive out of the bunch, but they’re all available at different price points. There are also several other types of bike tires on the market, but these are the three main types.

Tire Quality 

Another major factor that impacts the cost of new bike tires is the overall quality. Higher quality tires offer a better ride, are more comfortable, and last longer than cheap quality tires. While a low-quality tire might be a budget solution, you’re going to have to replace it quicker than you would a high-quality tire!

Size 

Aside from the quality, the size of the tire also impacts how much dose it cost to replace a bike tire. Larger tires tend to be more expensive in comparison to shorter ones. While buying new tires, it’s important to ensure that they fit properly with your bike!

Branding 

When buying a tire, the brand’s popularity will also significantly impact the overall cost. A more well-known brand will charge a premium price for their product, while a less popular brand will sell for a relatively lower price. 

These are the main variables that impact the overall cost of modern bike tires. Now that you understand the different factors, let’s look at the cost of replacing the major kinds of bikes on the market. 

How much does it cost to replace a mountain bike tire? 

Mountain bikes are some of the most popular types of bicycles on the market. With so many different options available in the market, you can expect to get a wealth of different options to choose between. 

Generally, the most inexpensive mountain bike tires tend to start at around $20 per tire. However, the high-end options can easily cross the $100 per tire threshold. 

When getting new mountain bike tires, it’s not essential to spend all your money trying to get the most expensive tires possible. You can find super high-quality tires in the $40 – $70 range. 

Aside from trying to get the most expensive or the cheapest option, it’s always a good idea to pick the tire that provides you with the most value.  

How much does it cost to replace road bike tires?

As is the case with mountain bikes, road bike tire replacements are available for a multitude of different prices. You’ll find some really reasonable budget options and some exorbitantly priced premium bikes. 

However, in comparison to mountain bike tires, road bike tires tend to start off much cheaper. You can get your hands on decent road bike tires around the $25 – $30 mark. 

Suppose you want to go for a premium option or pick tires that’ll help you get through competitions. The best option is to go for the more premium tires available on the market. You’ll end up spending somewhere between $100 – $300 for the highest quality tires. 

How much does it cost to replace hybrid bike tires? 

Hybrid bikes are known for their versatility. Consequently, they’re more than capable of running both road tires and mountain bike tires. If you want to go for an alternative option, you can also use hybrid tires. 

As hybrid tires are mostly designed with versatility in mind, they tend not to feature prices as high as specialist tires. You’ll easily be able to find decent hybrid tires below the $50 mark!

These are the main significant types of bike tires you’ll find on the market. There are a few other types of bike tires on the market, but they’re pricing tends to follow the same pattern. It’s possible to get decent value tires around the $40 – $50 mark!

What will a bike repair shop charge you for tire replacement?

If you’re not confident in your repair skills, you don’t have much of an option to visit a bicycle repair shop. You can bring them the replacement tires yourself or order them through the store as well. 

Once the tires arrive, the repair mechanics will handle the removal and installation of the new tires. That’s the best way to ensure that the bicycle tires are correctly installed and at optimal pressure. 

Generally, the charges for a tire replacement aren’t very high. You can expect to pay between $25 – $50 for a bike tire replacement. However, the charges can change depending on your location, the number of repair shops in the area, and the level of expertise. 

Due to these various factors, it’s possible that a bike tire replacement from a repair shop might cost less or more than the defined range. 

Can you replace bike tires yourself?

If you don’t want to end up paying an additional fee to a bike repair shop to help you install the replacement tires, you can also manage by yourself. Installing new bike tires is actually a lot simpler than most beginner cyclists realize. 

Many people complicate the matter by listing an extensive list of all these different tools that are “necessary” for the job. All you’re going to need is tire levers, a bike pump, and a bike stand. Here’s a step-by-step guide on everything you need to change a bike tire. 

Step 1: Remove the wheels 

After you order the replacement tires that you’re looking to install, the first step in the process is removing the wheels. Place your bicycle on a bike stand / bike rack or flip it upside down to make things more manageable. 

When it comes to removing the front wheel, you’ll need first to loosen up the brakes, so the cables stop getting in the way. Once you’re done dealing with the cables, simply find the quick-release lever to help you remove it quickly. 

Once you’re done with the front wheel, removing the rear wheel is slightly different. Before you start removing the wheel, you must line up the gears with the smallest ring coming first. When the gears are aligned, you can then proceed to loosen the brakes and find the quick-release lever. 

When removing the rear wheel, be careful about the derailleur and don’t just yank the wheel out. You should look to be as careful as possible and pull the wheel out slowly.

Step 2: Remove the tire 

Now that the wheels are off, you can move on to removing the tires. Before removing the tires from the wheels, you should completely deflate the tires. 

After defeating the tire, removing the inner tube will be much easier. You should push the part of the tire closest to the rim and then move away to the middle of the wheel. You’ll have to repeat the step around the bike tire until it’s loose enough, and then you can remove the tube. 

Once the tire is loose enough, you can insert the lever to separate it from the rim. You can use the hooked side of the tire lever and insert it into the outer edge of the tire. Once you manage to secure the attachment, pull on the lever to get the tire off the rim. 

Your wheel is now ready for the replacement tire. 

Step 3: Install your new tire

While it might be difficult to explain, removing the tire once will also make you immediately feel comfortable with putting a new tire back on the wheel. 

Before you start trying to fit the tire onto the wheel, you should inflate the tube to a medium level with your bike pump. Basically, you should fill in air into the bike pump until it takes shape. 

Use the shape to slide the tire onto the wheel and line up the valve with the rim’s valve hole. Check each side properly to assess whether or not the tire fits perfectly on one side of the rim. It’s essential to ensure that the bike fits properly before you can start using the tire lever. 

Once it starts to align properly, you can use the tire lever to push the other side onto the rim. You’ll need to ensure that the tube inside aligns properly between the tire and wheel. You can then carefully roll the rest of the tire to the rim edge. 

Step 4: Install wheel back on bike 

Now that you have the new tires ready on the wheels, all you need to do is install them back on the bike. After successfully installing, you’ll need to inflate the tire with the bike pump. Regardless of whether you install the tires on a road or a hybrid bike, it’s essential to fill the bike to the optimal air pressure. 

Wrapping Up

There are several different variables that impact how much does it cost to replace a bike tire. These factors include the type of tire, tire size, quality, brand name, and much more. By understanding these characteristics, you can put yourself in the best position to understand how to change a bike tire. 

If you go to a professional repair shop, you’ll learn more about how much it is to replace a bike tire. Generally, you’ll have to pay between $15 – $30 to install tires from a professional repair shop.