The tire should be replaced when you start to see uneven wear or the structural threads in the rubber coming through. The Onewheel tire usually lasts around 750-1,500 miles, the lifespan depends on how you take care of the tire and your riding style, tire pressure, and terrain. Most riders get around 1000 miles from their stock Vega tire.
The tire rubber plays a big role in the wear-out rate of the tire. The softer compound that’s used the lower miles will you get from the tire as it´s more prone to wear down. On the contrary, a harder compound will last longer.
Signs of wear-out
1. The first sign is that you will be losing pressure faster than before and after a while, the tire will be ”sweating” out the slime installed from the factory. This can be seen as wet, darker, spots on the tire.
2. You can see the white threads in the tire’s rubber, usually on the sidewalls of the tire.
3. Tire pressure has a direct effect on how quickly the tire wears.
Running a tire below the recommended pressure increases the amount of deformation in the tire and can increase wear, particularly when carving aggressively. It can also increase the risk of the rim contacting an obstacle.
Higher pressure generally reduces rolling resistance and tire deformation, but that does not mean that the highest possible pressure is always the best setting. Pressure also changes the handling, comfort and traction of the board.
Future Motion currently recommends keeping the tire between 15 and 20 PSI. The correct pressure within that range depends on the rider, tire and riding conditions.
If you notice unusual wear on one side of the tire, check the pressure before assuming that the tire itself is the problem.
A properly inflated tire can last 1000-2000+ miles. With an underinflated tire and aggressive carving on pavement, the tire can be worn out as fast as <750miles. Uncertain about the optimal tire pressure? use my Tire pressure calculator for Onewheel.
4. On a slick tire check the wear-out indicator and see if it´s still visible or flush with the tire. A slick tire has circular indicators, holes, in the rubber indicating wear. On treaded tire check the threads and their status.
How to Inspect an Onewheel Tire
Checking the tire only takes a few minutes and is worth doing regularly, especially if you ride several miles every week.
1. Check the tire pressure
Start by checking the pressure with a pressure gauge. If the tire is losing pressure much faster than it normally does, investigate the reason before the next ride.
A small change in pressure over time is normal. Having to inflate the tire frequently can indicate a slow puncture, a problem with the valve or a tire that is reaching the end of its life.
2. Inspect the sidewalls
Look closely at both sidewalls of the tire. Pay particular attention to the areas that contact the road when carving.
If you can see the white structural threads underneath the rubber, the tire should be replaced. Do not wait until the threads are badly exposed.
3. Check the riding surface
Look at the center and edges of the tire. Uneven wear is common when a tire is used with low pressure or when the board is ridden aggressively.
A worn tire can also develop a flatter profile as the rubber wears down. This changes the way the board feels when carving.
4. Check the wear indicators
Slick Onewheel tires have circular wear indicators molded into the rubber. When the surrounding tread has worn down to the level of the indicator, the tire has reached its wear limit.
Treaded tires do not use the same slick-tire indicator, so inspect the tread and the surrounding rubber for excessive wear or exposed structural material.
5. Look for sealant
If you see wet or dark spots appearing on the tire, check whether tire sealant is escaping.
Sealant can also be a sign of a small puncture rather than normal wear, so inspect the area before deciding that the tire itself needs replacing. If the tire is worn at the same time, replacement is usually the better option.
Uneven Onewheel Tire Wear
The tire does not always wear evenly across its width. The edges can wear faster than the center, particularly when riding with lower tire pressure and doing a lot of carving.
Check both sides of the tire rather than only looking at the center.
Uneven wear is not automatically a reason to replace the tire. The important question is how much material remains and whether there is any structural damage.
If the sidewall or shoulder has worn enough that the structural threads are visible, replace the tire.
Tire pressure also has an effect on wear. A tire that is consistently run underinflated will generally wear faster. It can also change the shape of the tire and the way the board behaves.
For more information about pressure, see the [Onewheel Tire Pressure Guide and Calculator].
Onewheel Tire Puncture and Slow Leaks
A puncture can cause a slow leak, but it does not always mean that the tire needs to be replaced. The sealant inside the tire can seal small punctures, allowing you to continue using the tire if it remains in good condition and holds pressure.
If your Onewheel is slowly losing air, first check the tire for a puncture and inspect the surrounding rubber for damage. A tire that repeatedly loses pressure after a repair should be inspected more closely.
If the tire is otherwise in good condition, a puncture can often be repaired rather than replacing the entire tire.
I have written a separate guide covering how to find and repair a puncture, including what to do when the tire sealant does not seal the hole:
[How To Fix A Flat Tire On Your Onewheel (Puncture, Leak)]
Tire sealant is a liquid containing fibers and rubber particles that coat the inside of the tire. When the tire is punctured, the escaping air carries the sealant to the puncture. When the sealant escapes from the puncture the fibers and rubber get stuck in the hole and intertwine into a flexible plug sealing the tire.
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