Bicycle Mechanics - Should I get new tires?

I have a 6 year old bike with the original tires -- Kenda K-176's (700x23c). The bike only has around 200 miles on it, but I wonder if the tires are in need of replacement?! They appear to be cracked around the rims...very small cracks...could be from sitting around or stress cracks?

And...if you do reccommend replacement, I need a CHEAP tire. Under $10 would be nice. ;)

Thanks,

Michelle

Yeah, I'd say they probably could use replacing.
I'd replace the tubes at the very least.
Some cracking is natural on a 6 year old tire.

Check out Bike Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com)
they have some Vittorias on sale for $9.95 and some
Vredestein that aren't too much more.

Good luck,
Marty

lotek, by "could use replacing" do you mean, YESSSS, replace them right this minute before they blow?! ;) I would like to hold off for better tires, and if I can get by with replacing the tubes first, I may just do that! Thanks!

As long as your not holding out for another 6 years, switching the tubes will be fine.

agreed,

new tubes at minimum. then wait and get
the best tires you can afford when they all go
on sale for the winter!

Marty

I would give the opposite advice -- if the tubes hold air, keep them until they don't, but to prevent a serious blowout-caused mishap, replace at least the front casing.

I have had great luck with Nashbar Prima 2 Plus Road tires. They will not impress your friends at the bike club, but I have had over 1,000 miles without a flat. They are on sale (always???) for $9.95. I think you should replace tubes also.

Here is an additional discount Wednesday only. If you search you can usually find a 10% off coupon code.

From Midway Sam

Just got this in my Inbox...

"Check out our extra-special offer, only for our email subscribers: take 10% Off your total web order (use Coupon Code REST at checkout). Don’t wait, the 10% off deal is only valid through Wednesday, July 23rd."

How much is your insurance deductable if you are hospitalized from a crash? Although you have not put hardly any wear on them with 200 miles riding on tires with 6 years of weathering is asking for trouble. Buy the cheap but new tires now to get you by and then save for the better tires for later if you are not satisfied with them.

I don't know what part of the country you are in but where I'm at the temps are pushing 100. With a combination of hot pavement and old tires you may be asking for trouble.

Just my 2 cents. :)

Sounds a little dubious. This winter I went for a ride on an old tire that I had mounted for riding the trainer. About 6 miles from home, the rotten side wall separated from the wire bead, resulting in an unfixable, unrideable tire. My quick lunchtime spin turned into a 6 mile hike in cleats.

So, I'd say if the rubber is hard and cracks/flakes when you bend the rubber, don't even ride them. Otherwise, go ahead and order the new tires, but ride what you got in the meantime.

You can get some decent deals on tires at ebay. Some Conti 1000's for example. They're light and they last quite a while and there's usually some up for auction.