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Permalink Reply by Craig S. on August 26, 2011 at 6:44am

Noticing how cracked that tire is and also how many tires are on sale and how cheap they are, I think I'd replace the tire rather than boot/plug/patch it.  That's just me.

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Permalink Reply by S on August 26, 2011 at 8:27am

Deflate the tube, put some superglue in the crack and let it harden.  That should last a while but you'll probably need to reglue it after a month or so.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 26, 2011 at 8:32am

How old is that tire?  Looks like the sidewall is really roughed up badly and  plies are starting to slide by each other causing the outer carcass to slip around a bit -distorting the tread and sidewall interface.  The the center also area looks like there isn't much meat left on it.

 

I'd say it's time for a new tire -it seems like you have got your money's worth out of this one already. 

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on August 26, 2011 at 6:03pm

It's only a few months old but I'm an everyday rider. It might have been sitting on the shelf for a while before I bought it and I park outside quite a bit.

I heard if you put Vaseline on the tires it will help keep them from cracking.
James BlackHeron said:

How old is that tire?  Looks like the sidewall is really roughed up badly and  plies are starting to slide by each other causing the outer carcass to slip around a bit -distorting the tread and sidewall interface.  The the center also area looks like there isn't much meat left on it.

 

I'd say it's time for a new tire -it seems like you have got your money's worth out of this one already. 

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on August 27, 2011 at 1:28am

i think the about last thing i'd put an a tyre is vaseline... petroleum tends to attack rubber and shorten its life. Maybe a silicone product like Armor-all or similar tyre polishes/preservatives sold in auto part stores might make them look good, but may or may not help.

 

 There used to be a product called "treadstop" which was a sticky black rubber-based goo which ws meant to be applied into tread cuts. i've had luck with silicone caulk worked into a tread cut (let it set up overnight.) If  the nick isn't too deep, the caulk will seal the cut and fend off any debris that could get in there.

 

If the cut doesn't go to/through the casing, it's really just a minor worry if there aren't too many cuts already. Looking at your pic though, i'd opine that it's time to replace them soon.

Mike Zumwalt said:

It's only a few months old but I'm an everyday rider. It might have been sitting on the shelf for a while before I bought it and I park outside quite a bit.

I heard if you put Vaseline on the tires it will help keep them from cracking.
James BlackHeron said:

How old is that tire?  Looks like the sidewall is really roughed up badly and  plies are starting to slide by each other causing the outer carcass to slip around a bit -distorting the tread and sidewall interface.  The the center also area looks like there isn't much meat left on it.

 

I'd say it's time for a new tire -it seems like you have got your money's worth out of this one already. 

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 27, 2011 at 3:17am

I restore vintage Raleighs and I've pulled off tires from 40+ year old bikes that didn't look as bad as that one. Where do you store that bike when you are not riding it?  Next to a bunch of electric motors that are putting off ozone all day long?

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on August 27, 2011 at 3:56am

Maybe it was on the hook at the bike shop for a couple of years before it was sold. Tyres have a shelf life.

James BlackHeron said:

I restore vintage Raleighs and I've pulled off tires from 40+ year old bikes that didn't look as bad as that one. Where do you store that bike when you are not riding it?  Next to a bunch of electric motors that are putting off ozone all day long?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on August 27, 2011 at 5:11am

I park downtown so absolutely no ozone at all.

It has gone flat a few times and I slack on filling it as it leaks out, I swear this week I'm buying a good pump.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 27, 2011 at 5:25am

Or over-loaded for what the tire is rated to carry.  Excessive heat build-up through flexing does in many light-duty tires that are carrying more of a burden than they were designed to.  But under-inflated/over-loaded both tend to be two sides of a coin when it comes to pneumatic tires. 

Michael Brosilow said:

This kind of sidewall cracking can happen if the tire is being ridden under-inflated.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 27, 2011 at 7:40am

I wish, but I never claimed to be.

 

There are some things which I do know a bit about and tires are one of them after racing motorcycles competitively, working as a mechanic of various types/forms in my life, and driving trucks.

 

Here is an almost brand new rear tire of mine after just a few laps screwing around at Road America.  

 

I've learned a few things about tires putting them through tortuous tests and abusing the hell out of them pushing them to the limit and beyond.

 

You are welcome to ignore or discount my free advice at your own discretion.  

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 27, 2011 at 8:04am

One solution to the original question is that something like a Park Tools TB-2 Tire Boot be applied to the inside of the tire.  These are really only meant to be a temporary solution rather than a long-term one although if the tire is otherwise in good shape one of these might be worth the approximately  $1 each patch they cost.  If there are multiple issues around the tire and the tire itself looks pretty iffy then the cost/benefit ratio of using them does not make a lot of sense over just replacing the tire.  They are mainly used to get you home after an issue and designed really as a temporary/emergency solution rather than a permanent one.   During a race, tour, commute it will keep you going and is much better than walking the bike home. 

 

Thus, my advice to just replace this tire as I don't personally feel it is worth spending money on.  It looks pretty used up IMHO.  

 

"Your mileage may vary" -the authority on everything^tm.

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Permalink Reply by Bob A. on August 27, 2011 at 1:24pm

Definitely replace the tires, due to all the cracking along the circumference.  I suggest taking them back to the shop you bought them from and seeing what they'll do for you (maybe a discount on some new ones if they won't replace them).  Also, consider upgrading to a higher quality tire.

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