Tall Cool One
04-17-11, 06:08 PM
I just noticed tiny "head of a stick pin" sized holes in my tire surface. Is it time for new tires?
Bicycle Mechanics - Tiny holes in the surface of tire....Time for new rubber?
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FLYcrash
04-17-11, 06:10 PM
No, you can get away with holey or cracked rubber as long as the fabric carcass is in good shape.
MilitantPotato
04-17-11, 06:27 PM
As long as the cords under the rubber (casing) is intact and not showing, the tube isn't bulging through, or you're not getting flats from debris looking at you, you're fine.
Most tires are done in by large cuts that cut more than a couple threads, sidewall damage (not cracking rubber, that's a non-issue,) or just worn so thin they get flats too frequently.
Most tires are done in by large cuts that cut more than a couple threads, sidewall damage (not cracking rubber, that's a non-issue,) or just worn so thin they get flats too frequently.
bluefoxicy
04-17-11, 06:36 PM
As someone who drives a car, this is all freaking insane advice; but I guess it's okay for bicycles?
Do not analogize this to cars.
Do not analogize this to cars.
MilitantPotato
04-17-11, 06:51 PM
Yea, car tires are much, much different. Cracking causes friction and heat in car tires, no true in bikes.
Low tread is a problem for both, but less of an issue for bikes, since they don't hydroplane, they just get flats more frequently. Small sidewall cuts aren't the end for a bike tire, unless the tube bulges through, but even those can usually be booted and used for awhile. Low PSI in cars can cause blow-outs and tread separation, for bikes you just risk a pinch flat, and accelerate wear.
Low tread is a problem for both, but less of an issue for bikes, since they don't hydroplane, they just get flats more frequently. Small sidewall cuts aren't the end for a bike tire, unless the tube bulges through, but even those can usually be booted and used for awhile. Low PSI in cars can cause blow-outs and tread separation, for bikes you just risk a pinch flat, and accelerate wear.
Shimagnolo
04-17-11, 06:51 PM
Some tires have a few tiny holes molded into the tread as wear indicators.
i.e. when the hole disappears, they want you to replace the tire.
Could this be what the OP is seeing?
IIRC, Continental GP4000 is a tire that has these.
i.e. when the hole disappears, they want you to replace the tire.
Could this be what the OP is seeing?
IIRC, Continental GP4000 is a tire that has these.