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Two years ago I got a free bike for my youngest ward Emma through Freecycle. I cleaned and fixed it up. The tires were in bad shape, so I replaced them with two new tires from the local bike shop. Yesterday I was cleaning, oiling, and repairing my ward's bike fleet for another season. When I went to put air in Emma's tires I noted that the sidewalls of both were badly cracked. I didn't note the brand. Has anyone else out there had similar problems with tires? Are there brands which I ought to avoid?
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Cleveland
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Re: Cracking Tires!
Mon, May 18, 2009 - 9:01 PMTwo years seems way too early, but, yup, they do that. Gumwalls seem to be worse.
I'd take 'em back, myself. I've got eight or nine year old tires in the basement with no cracking whatsoever. Michelin -
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Re: Cracking Tires!
Fri, May 22, 2009 - 3:48 PMIt depends on the Tires Jim and the quality of them.
Bicycle tires sold in some bike shops can be of the lowest quality rubber similar to the ultra-cheap stuff sold in places like Wal-Mart,K Mart and other "department stores".
expect to pay around 16-20 dollars per tire for a good quality brand.These are the ones that last the longest and get the most mileage.
I just replaced the stock Kenda Quest's after four years use on my long wheelbase Recumbent bike with a set of smokin Primo Comet's and paid 29 dollars for each tire,but they are really good quality tires and will LAST!
It sounds like the rubber used in the tires your bought was low quality and dried out within 2 yrs,wich is the major cause of sidewall cracking in bicycle tires. -
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Re: Cracking Tires!
Fri, May 22, 2009 - 7:42 PMIf I had purchased the tires at a discount store or even a local hardware store I wouldn't have been so surprised. However, I bought them at a large privately owned bike shop which carries plenty of high end equipment. I just happen to have one of the tires on hand since I am taking the wheel in for tweaking. The brand according to the yellow logo is "Continental CountryRide puncture protection". The same name is in raised letters on both sides of the tire. There are also a few German words pertaining to maximum pressure. -
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Re: Cracking Tires!
Sun, May 24, 2009 - 7:45 PMContinental Bike Tires is an excellent Brand Jim and cracking of them should have never happened!
I know of only two ways a quality Tire can have cracks in it's sidewalls
1.) The Bicycle was left out in below zero degree temperatures either under a plastic tarp,or in an uninsulated Garden Shed,quality Bikes should NEVER be left outside in severe winter temperatures,and always stored INDOORS in a temperate room for the winter if you ride only in warmer weather.
2.) The tire could be a very "old" tire that has hung in a bike shop for a couple of years and it's thin sidewalls have dried out.
Either way,I'd take those back to your local shop where you bought them,If he is a reputable decent dealer,he will replace them for you as my shop here would for me.
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