Bicycle Mechanics - Does my tire need to be replaced?

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These are the tires that came with my new Cannondale Synapse. They have around 600km on them and the rear one seems to be splitting at a small section. I noticed this maybe 200km ago and it doesn't seem to have gotten much worse than when I first saw it. Is it dangerous to ride with this? Should it be replaced? Thanks..
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/lazymeJ/DSC_0032-2.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y152/lazymeJ/DSC_0034.jpg
rhenning
09-13-12, 06:19 PM
How good is your health insurance? Yes replace the tire as it will be cheaper. Roger
bikepro
09-13-12, 06:21 PM
It looks like the tread is separating from the tire. I wouldn't trust them.
Trad separation on tires, especially HP tires isn't all that rare. Many HP tires are not molded in one piece over the tire plies, but are separately molded treads which are rubber cemented on. The best tires are made this way so the fabric isn't weakened by heat.
Use rubber cement, or something like 3m FastTaK to glue it back and you'll be good to go. The way to do this is to inflate the tire, peel back the tread, and coat both the tread and body with glue, let it dry completely, then carefully rolling the tread into place. Work carefully, it's a contact bond, so you only get one shot.
BTW- the 2 main causes of this problem are overloading/underinflation, and riding in the rain. I ride tubulars, and have been dealing with tread separation for 45 years. Just another minor inconvenience. Your tire is safe as long as the structural cloth plies don't show any damage. You can tell because when they weaken the tire will get lumps or twists, this happens long before they let go.
longbeachgary
09-13-12, 06:53 PM
How good is your health insurance? Yes replace the tire as it will be cheaper. Roger
Great advice. Don't take any unnecessary chances.
10 Wheels
09-13-12, 06:56 PM
Take it back to your bike shop.
Good chance they will give you a warranty replacement.
Thanks for the input everyone. I'll take it back to the shop first and see what they say. The bike is still very new so it sucks that this has already happened.
Slaninar
09-13-12, 11:46 PM
Had that happen on a Schwalbe Marathon. They replaced it for no charge. I wouldn't ride a tyre like that if I had money for a new one. Or could get it replaced. If not, I'd glue it and take corners and downhills slower. Have ridden worse. :)
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