This was about 15 years ago. I had been using Giros off and on for a few years, on roads in Denver Colorado and Dallas, TX. I didn't have a lot of trouble with them at first. Occasional flats and one carcass failure. Then I started reading horror stories on BF about whole batches failing. I pooh-poohed it, until someone asked for my address. A few days later I I opened a UPS box which had 4 unused and absolutely useless and unrepairable Giros in it. At this point I realized I needed to stop recommending them. Not long after their price popped up about $10 each (about $40?), while the YJ tires were unchanged and still 3 for $50. At that point I just left the Giro behind me. I continued using my small stash when I had to equip a wheel, but those tires eventually all turned into that twisty snake inside shape. Have never had that problem with YJs. My Gommi experience is fewer tires, but all good - Reliable and they feel good!

You also mentioned the Gommi Champions mounted to the rim with a gap on either side of the valve. I have had that happen with a few tires, but I have never worried about it, and just went out riding. After some time on the road the tires got "rounder." If I was really conscientious I would have demounted and re-glued them after they settled, but I did not. As a cyclist I beleive they are safe. As a safety engineer I am not supposed to believe anything is safe unless I have a well-documented paper pile that explains how its safety is guaranteed by known physics, but actually BF is probably the closest to that, as far as I can see. I think they are most-likely fine, and I would still just ride them cautiously/carefully and look, feel, and listen for any signs of trouble brewing. Have you tried to ride them with those gaps? What happenned? Did you put maybe 4 days of usage on them? Did it feel odd in any way on the road? Have the gaps become smaller in any amount?