Classic & Vintage - Tire problems

It the past, I bought tons of new (mostly tan/blk) Cheng Shin/CST tires for all my flips, as well as for some of my own bikes that I did not ride as hard or as often. I was pretty satisfied with them, given the price, and the tolerable ride quality.

Lately though, I have been plagued with separation in the bias plies and seams on several tires that were practically new. (I do not over-inflate my tires: I set them to 80psi with a gauge.)

The problem is initially evidenced by some waviness, or a little "wow" in the tire, as if there was a warp in the rim. This is actually indicative of a separation, and it can rapidly become a big bulge, and then a big "bang". I had a couple blow outs on the rear before I became much more wary about regular inspection, and today, I noticed yet another - this time a front tire, already starting to separate. :notamused:

I am not posting this to vent: This is something that can affect your safety as well as your pocket book.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Bike%20Forums/CSTdefect4.jpg

Where did you buy the tires? I'd contact them about a return. I suppose it's hard to prove you didn't overinflate them, but they probably sell tons of cheap tires and odds are you won't be the only one with this gripe. Ultimately the message needs to get back to the mfr. but they'll probably hear that loudest if their distributors start complaining.

I've never thought about it before - do tires have a batch number?

I noticed that these tires frequently had a molded-in hop, as if the bead wasn't seated properly (though it was.) I stopped buying them for that reason, glad I never encountered a separating tread!

CST's newer designs seem to have much nicer construction than the classic ones, I wonder how frequently the molds & other production equipment are replaced?

Where did you buy the tires? I'd contact them about a return. I suppose it's hard to prove you didn't overinflate them, but they probably sell tons of cheap tires and odds are you won't be the only one with this gripe. Ultimately the message needs to get back to the mfr. but they'll probably hear that loudest if their distributors start complaining.

I've never thought about it before - do tires have a batch number?

If they all failed at once I might have packed up the lot and sent them back to whatever stores I bought them from, but shipping one at a time would be prohibitive.
As it stands I just cut them up when I see this issue (so no one will trash-pick them and use them).
The manufacturer in this case is in China BTW. I doubt if there is such a thing as a batch number.

Thanks for the heads up. I can't say I've seen the problem with my inexpensive tires, but I will be sure to inspect them.

Those cheap $4.99 gum walls will do that....

i would expect a lot better from a $5 tire %

i would expect a lot better from a $5 tire %

Heck! - they set me back 7 or 8 bucks - EACH!
(My point is that reconstructive facial surgery can cost even more.)

Don't buy cheap Chinese tires, maybe???

Auch, if you bought them from Performance or Nashbar, you'd deal with them, not with China.

Hi Road Fan! - They would cost more than they are worth to return. - Plus, I sourced them from various stores, and for the most part, could not tell you which store I bought which tire from. (I guess I should have been practicing my own lot control? :rolleyes:)

Anyway, I decided to take 753proguy's advice a while ago, and lately have only been buying more expensive tires. - Of course that makes it even harder to make money on flips.

Well, not an easy problem!

I know OFG, when he was more active in flipping, bought Forte tires en masse when they were being blown out.