General Cycling Discussion - Do Mr. Tuffies wear out tires?

A few months ago I put brand new KendaCross's and Mr. Tuffies on my MTB. I was on my daily 14 mile ride (5 miles of pavement and 9 miles of gravel) today when my rear tire developed a big bulge. After thumping my way home and removing the tire I found that the tire fibers in the area of the bulge on the inside of the tire had all been worn to a frazzle. The bulge was about 2" in diameter and directly over the area where the ends of the Tuffie overlaps. However, there was also a 1/16" diameter puncture in the middle of the bulge. The tire did not go flat.
Upon inspection, I noticed that the front tire is also developing a bulge in a place where the tire has been punctured, but I haven't yet removed that tire to see if it's where the Tuffie overlaps. There is also one more tire puncture in the front, but that spot hasn't yet developed a bulge.
It kind of looks like the Tuffies prevent flats, but in their place the tire fibers wear away and a bulge eventually developes.
Anyone experienced anything like this?

The problem is the Kenda tires. The bike I bought last year came with Kenda tires. The same thing happened to both my tires within a week of each other in under 90 days and around 800 miles. That was also *before* I started using Mr. Tuffys.

Fortunately, my LBS replaced them under warranty, even let me switch brands in doing so. Since then, I've put 3,000 miles on that bike with the other tires and Mr. Tuffys. No problems at all.

Your story reinforces the decision I made back then to never buy a Kenda tire.

I disagree. I have had this exact same issue with Mr Tuffy Liners. The problem I had was that the liners rub on the inside of the tire, until they rub right through one of the layers of the tire belt material and the tyre starts to bulge. I had liners on 3 different bicycles, and they all showed the same symptoms. This was across 4 different brands of tyre - Kenda, some other no-name type, Vittoria Randoneur and Specialized Flak Jacket tyres. The Kenda, Vittoria and Specialized all developed bulges and failed. I fortunately had not done enough mileage on the 4th brand, but the wear was clearly showing. The Specialized brand tyres also showed accelerated wear. I normally get 6000k from a rear 700x38, but with the liners I went through 2 sets. The first developed a bulge at 2600k. I never fully examined it at the time, as there was no history of failure at that point, and I had no suspicions of any type. I merely blamed it on the tyre failing for some random reason. Also at that time I had only one bike with liners. The second wore almost completely by 2000k, making me suspicious, but not knowing what of. By the time the second tyre failure, (Kenda 700x25 - on a different bike) I examined the tyre closely, and found that the cause was in fact, the liner. By now I had liners on all 3 bikes, so was able to check all 3, finding the same symptoms in all, and 4 tyres of 6 needing changing. So now I don't have liners anymore, and am waiting to see how long the latest rear tyre will last. I'm only about 300k in so far, so it's too early to say. The only other thing to have changed with regard to my tyres is the purchase of a pump with a pressure guage, enabling myself to regularly kepp them at the pressure I like, 80 psi rear and 70 front. Prior to this they were often much lower. I have no idea if there is any problem with that, but we'll soon know for sure.
In addition to the problems with wear, in around 5000k I had at least 3 punctures which occured at the point where the two ends of the liner overlap (incidently the point where the tyre wear occurs), and no trace of anything having pierced the lining or tyre. I've read of other people having the same occur to them, and it seems to be caused by the liner itself pinching the tube.
All in all the best quality tyres lasted the longest, but still nowhere as long as they should. I wanted to try tyres with perhaps less inbuilt flat protection, and better ride quality, maybe even cheaper. However they would probably be lucky to last 1000k before catastrophicly failing. So, for myself, I do not recommend Mr Tuffy liners. A lot of people swear by them however. I wonder what they are doing different

I tried Mr Tuffys on my tandem. 700 x 25 Continentals. My results were reversed in direction. The strips were cutting into my tubes. I don't use lite tubes but still they cut through no matter what I did. I trimmed the edges, plaeced electrical tape. reversed overlap direction but results always the same, a slice in my tubes right a the ends' junction.

I ditched them and found as long as I have good tires I don't flat much.

I tried Mr Tuffys on my tandem. 700 x 25 Continentals. My results were reversed in direction. The strips were cutting into my tubes. I don't use lite tubes but still they cut through no matter what I did. I trimmed the edges, plaeced electrical tape. reversed overlap direction but results always the same, a slice in my tubes right a the ends' junction.

I ditched them and found as long as I have good tires I don't flat much.

I've been using Tuffys for close to 20 years and I have occasionally had them wear through a tube but it's pretty rare. I don't trim or cut them but just overlap them. If they have a sharp edge, you can use a little sandpaper to feather them so that the transition is smoother.

I haven't ever had them damage a tire however. I do...and lots of people say this is very silly...put talc (not corn starch but real talc - the mineral) in all my tires. I've noticed that without it, the tube and liner tend to weld to the tire. I don't notice movement of the tube in the tire but I've never had wear problems with the Tuffy on the tire either.

I had a Michelin Dynamic develop a similar bulge... tire liner appeared to have worn away the fibers.

Thanks for the replys. I just checked the front tire. There are numerous places where the tire has been punctured and the threads are beginning to fray in those places. The worst place is just beginning to bulge. There was no bulge or fray at the overlap.
It looks like the liners have saved me from having about a half dozen flats in the last few months. Problem is the tires appear to be failing due to being squished between the sharp gravel and the tire liners.

Bottom line is I need new tires. I loved the low resistance the Kendas gave me. However, I would like something that would hold up to more than a few months of riding.

I need a tire that gives low rolling resistance on pavement, but is durable enough to be taken on 20 mile rides on sharp gravel roads. I just ride. I don't do any crazy stuff so traction is not real important to me. It would be nice if I could still use the liners to give protection from sharp rocks, locust thorns, and sand burrs.
Any suggestions? I've been looking at the Michelin Country Rock tires, but I don't know if they have low rolling resistance.