Originally Posted by
lineinthewater
I'm referring to those small (sometimes > 0.5") extensions that line the sidewalls of both sides of the tire. Are those just remnants of the manufacturing process? The normal tires I buy always have long tabs, and my frame is so close to the tire (near bottom bracket) that it will hit and wear down the clearcoat/paint if I fail to cut them when I buy them.
L; Car tires also had them in my dad's era. I remember well that he always called them tire-nipples (with a silly solicitious grin). In the modern politically correct era, I don't call them anything. Since I would refuse to buy or ride any bike with tires that close to the chainstays or fork, so I have never had the paint wear issue. I just snip them off new tires with a pair of blunt nippers 'because I want to'.
/K