Minor tear in sidewall, is this tire junk?
04-02-12, 10:53 AM
#1
Constant tinkerer
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Minor tear in sidewall, is this tire junk?
Just received a wheelset and tires in the mail today from ebay. Tires are used Continental Grand Prix. Noticed a tear in the sidewall, contacted the seller about it. My main question is, is the tire safe to ride or is it repairable? It's not bulging but doesn't look too good. I put it on the rear wheel.
I know there are probably lots of threads like this but as with bent frames it's always a judgement call.
I know there are probably lots of threads like this but as with bent frames it's always a judgement call.
04-02-12, 11:42 AM
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04-02-12, 11:45 AM
#5
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Darn. Ok, so now what do I do? I just bought these wheels/tires on ebay. Do I ask for some money back or just live with it and buy a new tire?
04-02-12, 11:51 AM
#6
incazzare.
Depends on what you paid, if it was really cheap, I'd let it go.
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04-02-12, 12:05 PM
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Did the seller mention the tear? If he did not, then you are within your rights to file a grievance with eBay. If he did, and you still went ahead with the purchase, then you are strictly on your own.
04-02-12, 12:05 PM
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You say you contacted the seller. I'd say wait and see how he responds. If he's cool and it didn't cost too much, let it slide. If he's a dick and/or you spent a lot, try to get some money back.
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04-02-12, 12:25 PM
#9
Banned
Ok, so now what do I do?
but why do you expect they would be good when you got the set Cheap.
leaving the tire on did protect the rim in shipping.
Now, go buy a new tire or 2 at the Local Bike Shop.
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-02-12 at 12:29 PM.
04-02-12, 12:27 PM
#10
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No mention of the tear, all it said was that there was about 60% tread life left. I paid $210 (shipped) for the wheels, tires, and tubes. The wheels were the main purchase and they're in good shape but the Continentals were still a selling point for me. I'll see what he says. I'm not too upset about it.
04-02-12, 02:44 PM
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If the wheels are good, just go for a new tire, and ding the seller's DSR for "Item well described".
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04-02-12, 03:54 PM
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In an emergency, I would probably ride that (slowly), but I would "boot" it with maybe a piece of business card between the hole and inner tube before I do so and the single ride with the booted hole would be to the LBS to get a replacement tire, ASAP.
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04-02-12, 03:55 PM
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Temporarily, I'd use a old dollar bill and fold it over into thirds and place it carefully between tube and sidewall. Then you can continue to ride it for a while. But I'd replace it at my earliest convenience.
04-02-12, 06:22 PM
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Two things I see here alarm me. !st, the bulge you see around the tear. Nothing good will come of it & will only get worse. 2nd, the tire itself seems awfully aged / on the verge of dry-rotting, regardless of the tear. I'd replace both tires.
