Bicycle Mechanics - Is it safe to use tires from 1984?

They look like they're in amazing shape, but I know they're original. As far as I know, the bike has been ridden a few hundred miles when it was new then put away. I have different tires but it kinda seems like a waste to not use these if they're OK.

They look like they're in amazing shape, but I know they're original. As far as I know, the bike has been ridden a few hundred miles when it was new then put away. I have different tires but it kinda seems like a waste to not use these if they're OK.

Try 'em and find out!

I wouldn't be surprised to find that the fabric has started to rot and the volatile compounds have evaporated out of the rubber and adhesives. Unless the tires have been kept wrapped in plastic in a refridgerated environment, I doubt they're any good.

Probably fine as long as they've been kept away from UV and ozone & other pollutants. If the sidewalls look in good shape (no obvious cracking or hardening) then I can't see why the interior cords would have deteriorated.

Stored or not the industry accepted life of a tire is 5 years. Your call, but Murphy's law being what it is it'll be the day you're furthest from home with a dead cell phone battery that they'll fail. :P

I picked up a pair of Carlisle cruiser tires at a local thrift store last year, and installed them on a Schwinn cruiser that I sold. The last year Carlisle made bicycle tires was 1987, so they were at least 21 years old. No cracks, no rot, good tread.
I think tires - like most other things - were just made better in the old days. But, hey, you gotta ride them - you gotta make the call.

Easier to assess their condition if you remove them from the wheels, which will also let you check the rim tapes and inner tubes, and that there are no protruding spokes. If you give the tyres a good flexing, you'll be able to see circumferential cracks which may not show up when the tyre is mounted and inflated.

I have tyres that date back 40 years that are still working wonderfully... it is all about how well they have been preserved and UV will destroy them.

If they are on a bike I planned to do long rides on, I would replace them.

You could test their reliability by using one of them on the back for the first few rides.

I think tires - like most other things - were just made better in the old days.
Really? I guess you don't remember the 50's and 60's when car tires wore out in 25,000 miles or less, usually less, and a car with 50,000 miles was considered really old. These really are the good old days.

Some risk.

Some reward.

You gotta' be asking yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?"

Well?

Do ya ... punk?

;)

I agree it's mostly in the storage. During last year's Tour, they talked with one of the team equipment managers who spoke of "aging" the tires used in the race.
He keeps a storage area full of tires, using the ones that have "aged" properly and replacing them with new... He wouldn't say how long he ages them, however.

Given how ugly over the handlebar accidents are, new tires look cheap. bk

Some risk.

Some reward.

You gotta' be asking yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?"

Well?

Do ya ... punk?

;)

+2

A couple years ago I had a ~12 year old tire blow out the sidewall while the bike was HANGING IN THE GARAGE.
The tire had very little wear on it, since it had spent most of it's life unmounted, hanging on the wall of the garage.
Oh, and this happened just two hours after I had been doing 45 mph down a hill on a busy road.:eek:

You couldn't pay me enough to ride tires that old again.

I agree it's mostly in the storage. During last year's Tour, they talked with one of the team equipment managers who spoke of "aging" the tires used in the race.
He keeps a storage area full of tires, using the ones that have "aged" properly and replacing them with new... He wouldn't say how long he ages them, however.

"We will mount no tire before it's time."
-- Orson Welles

I've done it (used old tires) plenty of times. If the sides aren't rotted and/or cracked, I use them.

My motto is to never ride a tire older than me. Except for my girlfriend Uni Royal.

So how does Uni feel about you?


:D

Would you use a condom from 1984?

Hi, My Bike is 1985 , original Tyres and still going strong. I bought a new Raleigh Tyre the other day, came in a fancy box with Raleigh Logo,,, in small print on the back, Made in China. My 1985 ones have Made in England on them. Keep thinking of those Chinese ones made Down to a price. Ged.

Potentially large risk, small savings, yet I'm swimming upstream here. Ahh yes, it's the cheapskate factor. bk

I would be afraid Big Brother would be watching me everywhere I rode it.

Would you use a condom from 1984?

Sure I would... I still use the vasectomy that I bought in 1988.

I would only do it if these tires were something special, like Clement Criterium, that you just can't get anymore. I pumped up one of those from around 1983 and rode it around the park, but in the end I decided it wasn't particularly safe, although it held air and didn't fall apart on me. I did have to clean the rim and re-glue it.

I didn't use them BTW

I didn't use them BTW

I'm sure your bones and your skin appreciate that.:thumb:

I own 3 vintage bikes and won't ride old tires past the end of my driveway.

I live in a hilly area; I will hit 30mph + easily on almost any ride I do.

I also replace all the cables, inner tubes and brake pads of any old bike I own, first thing I do. I am sure there are other risks I'm taking but these are easy ones to manage.

There's a small downhill in the park that I can crank it up to 30+ on, but that's it. I took it really easy going down with those old tires. I'm not crazy. This was not on my Davidson either. I had an Italian bike that came my way about a year after I bought the Davidson.

I started pricing out replacing all the parts needed on the Zilioli, pads, cables, tires (sew ups on this one) and couldn't justify it considering the bike is slightly big for me. I haven't taken it out since that one ride.