cheeseflavor

This summer has been the summer of chip-sealing around here. I've lost one tire outright to a shard of rock from a chip-sealed road, and a couple of days ago, got another flat due to chunk of rock from a chip-sealed road half way through a 40 mile ride. The first tire had about a 1 inch cut in it, so I replaced it. This second tire has about a 1/4" cut right in the middle of the tread.

Do I need to replace the tire? At what point does a tire become a liability due to the number of, or the size of holes in it?

Oh... these are normal 700x23c tires.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts,

Steve

Wind 'N Snow

I just had to replace one tire due to rock, not glass damage. I think you should start looking at a new tire when you can see the insides of the tire/tube at 100 to 120 psi (I roll at 120. At that pressure, there is little holding the tube in if you have a big hole. At the same time, if you have a long cut, even if you can't see in when inflated, the longer the cut, the weaker the integrity of the tire. Location of the cut/hole also makes a difference. You can probably go a little longer with a cut on the sidewall, try a tire patch on the inside, then on the tread. Friction and abrasion on the tread will spell a flat or major blow out muck quicker.

I say this only out of personal experience and not with any real authority - I'm sure there are tons of LBS gurus out there with the score.

johnny99

If the cut goes down to the cords and you can see the cords damaged, I would replace the tire. If the cords are fine, I'll just glue the slit cut. ShoeGoo (a flexible contact cement sold in shoe stores) is very strong and durable.

Wind 'N Snow

Shoe goo. That's brilliant. I'm looking for some way to recycle my chewed up tires for roller/trainer use. This will be perfect!

JavaMan

I replace cut tires only when the tube starts bulging out and I can't stop it with a boot.

bike756

If you can see the tube, it is definitely time to replace it. Ive ridden a thousand miles on tires with 1/3" cuts all the way through the tire(both from the same rock), but that was in the sidewall.

cheeseflavor

Thanks to everyone for the excellent answers. I have placed a patch on the inside of the tire with 1/4" cut. I never really knew what was safe and what wasn't for sure. Darned tires are $40 ea, and the last one only had about 600 miles on it when I had to trash it.

Thanks again!

Steve

EventServices

Your tires aren't age-rated.
In other words, just because you spent $40 on them doesn't guarantee you 500 miles.

If it's cut, it's compromised. Throw it away (or recycle it).

OR, you can go for a really long ride with your fingers crossed the whole time.

ImprezaDrvr

I've been known to put a dollar bill folded into 1/4 or 1/8 is size behind cuts like this. Anything over about a 1/4 of an inch, though, and I'm replacing it.

webist

If front tire - I replace immediately. Rear tire - perhaps a little slack. I don't want to find out what happens during a front tire blow out at speed going down hill. Chip seal after all, leaves the worst kind of road rash!