Cracks in Tyre Wall

[arranandy]

I was giving my commuter hybrid a quick once over last night and I noticed a number of cracks in the wall of the rear tyre almost right round the diameter. Should I replace the tyre?

Its a 700c x 32 Conti Sport Contact, its about 10 months old and has done about 1500 miles.

Also what could be causing the tyre wall to crack?

 

[domtyler]

Hmmm, mine are quite a lot older than that and have done a lot more miles and yet I have not noticed any cracks or any other defects in mine.

Is the bike left outside in all weathers? Maybe the strong sun you get in Scotland could be causing a breakdown of the rubber?

 

[02GF74]

I've had cracks in the rubber and continued riding without any problem. It is the casing underneath that is the strength of the tyre - if that goes, then definitely replace it.

... now wait for someone to say I am wrong.....

 

[Milo]

Should be fine just a bit more likely to puncture at a guess.

 

[squeaker]

Also what could be causing the tyre wall to crack?

Under-inflation

 

[RedBike]

I seriously doubt there's a problem with the tyres. However, for the cost of a new set is it worth taking a risk with them?

 

[walker]

I'd replace it myself. no point risking it.

 

[threefingerjoe]

O2GF74. I agree with you. I run Continental Sport Contacts, and have 4000 miles on the current set. The strength really is in the casing, not in the outside rubber coating. What CAN cause this kind of deterioration in the rubber is ozone. Was the bike stored near any electric motors? If those were my tires, (unless they were REALLY old and dry-rotted), I'd run them until the fabric shows.

 

[llllllll]

Agreed, if I replaced my tires every time I got a crack/cut/spilt they'd only last a week. I bought a Continental Gatorskin for my commuter and within a couple of days it had a half inch cut in the tread. Thought about replacing it, but it never punctured and is still going strong 3 months later, though I've probably cursed it now.

 

[HLaB]

My Conti Contacts are just over a year old, I think they've done just over 3,500mls and show no sign of wear. The tyres that came on my last hack (can't remeber the make) cracked quite early but never deteriorated any further and lasted for several years.

 

[Blue]

I think the perceived wisdom regarding this is to ditch a tyre when you start to get lots of punctures or if a rip is so bad that the casing is showing. That's the rule I follow anyway!

Certainly, I get a lot of cuts/nicks in my tyres(poor roads) and roll along without any problem. However, I would be cautious about sidewall damage.