Can I/Should I ride on splitting/ripping tires?

Checked some other sources and it seems like these should have been replaced already but I have been riding on them daily for a couple months with no issue. 

Now, I am going on a 100 mile ride this weekend along the IPP & Fox River Trail with maybe 10-20 lbs of camping gear on my back rack and this is on my back tire.

I know a bike shop will tell me I need a replacement but I don't want to spend the funds on one unless this will inevitably cause a flat. It's whatever for riding around the city but different for this experience. 

Thoughts? Experience riding long distances on tires in this condition? 

Thanks for the help/guidance!

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Permalink Reply by Beans on September 30, 2014 at 11:46am

Time bomb. I'd change'em especially for your weekend trip. Peace of mind.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 30, 2014 at 11:55am

I would get a replacement tire. Looks like you're going to need to sooner or later so you'll spend the money anyway. And since you'll need to do that regardless then why take the chance? A few bike shops like Turin are having sales now so you can get a deal. My 2 cents 

Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on September 30, 2014 at 1:01pm
You could reinforce from the inside for commuting with a bail out plan, would not do for 100 mile trip.
Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on September 30, 2014 at 1:31pm

Also, if you choose the reinforce route to get a few more miles it should only be used in the rear. If it blows you won't lose control. A front blow out be a wipeout for sure.

Tandemonium said:

You could reinforce from the inside for commuting with a bail out plan, would not do for 100 mile trip.
Permalink Reply by Michael A on September 30, 2014 at 2:16pm

what size tires are they?

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on September 30, 2014 at 3:18pm
Renee, inevitably, it can ruin your fun weekend ride & camping trip. Don't gamble on the last strands of support holding your tire together on the inside, and not failing on a stressful 100 mile trail trip with the extra weight from your camping gear. Change it out before you leave.

No issue !? My beater bike has a split recycled tire on it right now that I'm watching, but I would only trust it for nearby trips, not endurance style trips like your camping trip might be. Enjoy !
Permalink Reply by Ken Gray on September 30, 2014 at 3:42pm

This has to be the first thread where EVERYONE agrees! Nice to see.

Permalink Reply by Mac MacDevitt on September 30, 2014 at 4:58pm

Working Bikes has used tires from $5 and up. Full disclosure - I volunteer there.

Permalink Reply by john eminhizer on September 30, 2014 at 7:01pm

The short answer is no, you do not need to replace it.

That is a Vittoria zaffiro (700x25c Im guessing) and it is commonly seen with that type of checking on the sidewall. I've seen that same tire with that level of sidewall damage ridden for a long time without issue. If no casing (threads) is showing, and there is no bulging or deformation of the tire then it is fine for normal use, probably for a long time to come. The checking is not more likely to cause a flat, however if the casing does decide to split it will be a fairly catastrophic flat i:e: not repairable with a new tube, patch kit, and/or tire boot, it will mean a new tire.

The long answer is yes, you should replace it.

You are doing a fairly long ride unsupported (no cabbies or friends to call) with a moderate load, so you should strongly consider replacing it so it doesn't have a chance to turn what sounds like a great little adventure into a bummer.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on September 30, 2014 at 7:22pm

You can ride tires in whatever condition you want; you could ride them flat if you wanted to as well.

But yes, you really should replace those tires.  It is true that they may be fine for some time isn't it worth the price of some new tires for the piece of mind?  

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 1, 2014 at 3:04am

Not worth the risk on a long trip. If it were me looking at that trip, I'd go out and replace those tires now. Then you can enjoy that ride and not spend part of it dealing with a flat.

Permalink Reply by David P. on October 1, 2014 at 3:30am

Renee,

I won't pile on with the same answer, but if you can't get a new tire before the weekend, I'm sure I've got one that you can use.

David

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