Philphine

it's not something i worry about ususally, but i lucked into buying a coker monster yesterday, and i'd like to have the tires last as long as possible i guess.

i have a garage (unheated if that matters), and i don't see the bike as being more than the occassional nice day cruiser, so they won't get much use or abuse. but i'd like to know if there's something to wipe them down with, or keep them inflated just so or whatever might help them last. thanks.

HillRider

Store them out of direct sun or other intense light, away from a lot of heat, keep them inflated at least firmly and away from electric motors. That's about the best you can do.

Philphine

thanks. i'm curious about the electric motor thing though. how do they affect the tires?

Shimagnolo

Ozone cracking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

stevoo

Electric motors generate ozone. It is bad for rubber. Causes it to break down.

cny-bikeman

If you live in a climate where salt is used on the roads either avoid storing your bike in the garage in winter or if that is not possible put it on a hoist, making sure things are protected with lube or polish.

Jed19

OP, I store unused/folded tires in a black garbage bag in a dark closet in my garage corner. No cracks or visible degradations after many years. Those tires already mounted or still on bikes, I wipe down with 303 Protectant. I got the idea for the 303 Protectant from Lennard Zinn. Of course, I store tires away from sunlight and other ozone sources.

Technical FAQ: Taking care of unused tires - VeloNews.com

Philphine

thanks again. learned something new with the ozone thing and the day's only half over. i might mess around and learn two new things today.

Wanderer

If you decide to use the Aerospace 303, make sure you scrub those tires before use. It leaves a waxy feel to the rubber.

Jed19

Not necessary to scrub. I have ridden plenty on tires scrubbed down with 303 Protectant. You do not need to use excessive amount of 303 Protectant, just a tiny film works well (the stuff is expensive anyway). I spray a little at a time on a piece of rag, then wipe tires down, this results in a very light sheen coating. I now even wipe down stuff like cable housing and shifter hoods with the stuff to keep away sun and ozone fading.

Wanderer

I use 303 on a lot of stuff, and I buy it by the gallon - but sure wouldn't ride bike tires with the stuff still on there. One drop of water, and off they would go..... That stuff really is a waxy feeling to it.

Storage may be on e thing, but riding on it would be quite another.

Grand Bois

Jed is right, in my experience.

Wanderer

MHO - ride on any coated rubber at your own peril........ have you ever tried to get that stuff wet, without soap?

easyupbug 

+1, I'm into C&V cars/trucks and 303 is the standard, and Jed knows his stuff.

Wanderer

I know 303 is good stuff, and I use it on a lot of stuff! Like I said, I buy it by the gallon!

But, I sure wouldn't want it on the tread of my bicycle or motorcycle tires, under any circumstance.

Jed19

Wanderer, like I said, I don't go crazy with the stuff. I found just a little bit sprayed onto a rag and wiping down tires (leaving just a slight sheen) is just good enough.

I don't ride in the rain, so maybe I should not comment on how tire treads treated with 303 behave in the rain, but at present, I have probably twenty pairs of tires all periodically treated with fresh coat of 303, and I've never wiped the 303 off before riding the tires, and no issue re traction at all. And quite a lot of my tires are Michelin Krylion Carbons, Pro Race and others that have no treads at all or very smooth treads.

I don't ride motorcycles, so can't comment on the traction effect of 303 on motorcycle tire treads.

Looigi

Electric motors with brushes generate ozone. Induction motors don't. Most all appliance motors are induction type including those in furnaces, air conditioners, etc...