Continental GP4000s II
 

Today, while inspecting my wheels, I noticed that the thread along the sidewall of my front tire was coming undone. I pulled on a few strands which made it worse. To be safe, I swapped out tire for a new one (old one had 2K + miles). Otherwise, the tire looked fine.

Tire had not gotten past the wear marks and tread looked warn but still good.

Did I over react? I figured, better be safe than sorry.

By the way, putting the replacement tire (Continental GP 4000s II) back on my wheels was a snap!

Over reaction. I clip the loose threads often. Never had a problem even when that sidewall ribbon like thing looks a bit loose.

I had one friend that let it go till it looked like his tires had wings. Now that was too much! :D

But he had no problem.

FR, GP4000's are much better with this issue than the GP2000 and GP3000's I used 20 years ago.

Your reference to your friend made me go back in time....

I grew up on Long Island and have a cousin that used to drive me to/from work for awhile to an office building in Manhasset (worked in same building, different companies). For awhile she kept telling me that on the way home, she would hear this ping noise coming from her front end. After hearing this a few too many times, she asked her husband to check out her car (why I didn't escapes me). Low and behold, her tires were so bald that the noise was from the steel belts unraveling off the tire and hitting the jersey walls as she passed through them on the way home. I remember LMAO over that one.

When I was a poor college student, I may have been guilty of wearing a tire or two down to the steel belt. :o

Just ride till cord.

Overreaction. It happens with continental casings. most of the time they are fine. if it happens a lot and you end up with a gap then it's time.

Thanks for the feedback. I will keep the older tire as a spare then.

I guess we all know someone like that! :D

I mix up a teaspoon or a bit more of 3M 4200 (fast cure) poly sealant with a few drops of paint thinner and paint over that area to hold the treads down. If you paint over the entire side wall area, the side wall will also be protected. Actually, now I use a different brand tire.

I experienced this with a dozen of these on the rear. Never had a failure though.

Used to happen when I left the bike outside at work parked under some stairs each day.

The front wheel was always in shade, but the rear wheel was exposed to sun.

I started covering the rear wheel, and the problem was reduced.