Barrettscv 

I learned a small lesson yesterday: If your tires are worn, carry a spare!

I've had great luck with the 28 x 700 Continental Gatorskin tires. The first 2000 miles resulted in two flats. Considering the combination of ride, speed and durability, I consider that to be a good result.

Sunday I got my third flat. Thursday I felt a slight bump, bump, bump, with each turn of the rear wheel. On inspection I found a bulge on the tire. So I reduced the air pressure and headed directly to the nearest lbs, a Performance store about 5 miles away.

While the selection was good, They did not have a folding Gatorskin in any size. So I purchased a 700 x 25 Ultra Race from Continental. This is a light & fast tire, but not as puncture resistant or as durable as the GP4000S or Gatorskin. Not cheap either, I hate spending money on something I don't really want to buy.

So I installed the Ultra Race and finished my 70 mile ride.

I'll buy another Gatorskin and remove the Ultra Race and keep it as a spare.

Once a tire is more than 75% worn, something is going to go wrong. The possibility of flats increases due to thinner tire and damage to the structure of the tire becomes an increasing risk.

The next time a worn tire comes to the end of it's life I won't need to make an emergency stop at the nearest bike shop, I'll have a spare.

Michael

CliftonGK1

Typically I get 3200 - 3500 miles from a 28mm Gatorskin (wire bead) on the rear wheel. More like 6000 for the front. I really wear them down to the cords, though.

Barrettscv 

I was hoping for the same. If the tire had not developed a bulge, I would of kept going on these. I will say that once a worn tire starts flatting with increased frequency, my tolerance for the tire wears faster than the tread thickness.

Michael

CliftonGK1

I'm surprised about the bulge on the tire. Did you inspect it after replacing it to see if there were any cuts, etc. where it was bulging?

A friend had a sidewall bulge on a Vittoria Pave a few weeks ago, turns out the tread was separating from the casing, and it looked like there was some damage along the bead. It was a brand new tire, so I'm guessing it was a mfg. defect. I had a sidewall blowout on a Gatorskin last summer, while the bike was just sitting in my spare bedroom. Similar issue: Damage at the bead, and the sidewall casing just blew clean out for about 1.5 inches.

Barrettscv 

That's also what I suspect in this case. This problem makes the tire unusable, I feel fortunate to have gotten 2000 miles of use out of it, so I'm only mildly disappointed. As stated in the OP, the tire was about 75% worn IMO.

The bigger issue was being stuck without a replacement tire, I was lucky I could limp to a bike shop. But I had to purchase a tire that has limited use for me just to finish the ride. I'll avoid this in the future.

Michael

Wogster

One thing you may want to do as well, is always have the best tire on the front. As a tire wears the chance of a blow out increases, a blow out on the front and your going to do a face plant, this is not something you want. A blowout of a rear tire, and you may dump the bike, but the chances of severe injury are much lower. What some people do is put the old front tire on the back and the new tire on the front, since front tires wear much less over a given distance. Bicycles really should get a weekly inspection, if you see a tire getting close, then get a new tire. What some people do is keep a folding tire as a spare. If they need a tire on the road they use the folder until they can get a regular replacement tire.

Barrettscv 

Yep, The folder is in it's own seat bag along with a tube & tools. The pump bag can now carry century supplies.

Self reliance is its own reward.

Michael

Wogster

If I was touring, which is something I would like to do, I would pick up a couple of flat resistant wire bead tires, along with a folding version of the same or a similar tire, that way your covered for all eventualities. Folding tires are much pricier then the wire bead version, so cheapskates like me would rather wear down a cheap non-folding tire then an expensive folding one.

EasyEd

Thanks for reminding me of what I was supposed to do this weekend. Go to lbs and buy a folding tire for the commuter. My wife put about an inch long cut in her rear tire about three weeks ago. She called me on her cell phone and I came out to get her. Patching a tube don't do a whole lot of good when you can see through the big hole in the tread!

late

Much of the difference is prob in my mind. But all I use are folders. I feel they are quicker and even ride better.

jesspal

I love Conti GP4000's, on sale for $40.00 each at PBK and they include a tube. I know they are a tad expensive but, i'm 270 and have over 1500 miles on the tires with little wear. In addition to a pretty good price they are giving away Conti tubes with the purchase of each tire. Coupon code to use is USARPR for %5 off as well.