Shelf life tubes tires etc.
06-13-23, 04:41 PM
#1
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Shelf life tubes tires etc.
It's been a minute since I was on a bike - or rather about 10 years. However, am considering the creaky and long haul back to fitness and have a bunch of tubes and folding tires that are new, unused but circa 10 years old. What's the shelf life on tubes and folding clinchers?
cheers
Al Bundy
cheers
Al Bundy
Last edited by Al Bundy; 06-13-23 at 05:23 PM.
06-13-23, 09:12 PM
#2
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If the tubes were kept away from ozone or UV; e.g. out of sunlight and away from electrical equipment, they should be fine.
Tires are a case-by-case basis. In my experience, the when a tire ages, rubber around the bead (the farthest inward part) gets stiff and "crunchy". This isn't a deal-killer, but it can make the tire uncomfortable or difficult to mount. If you inflate the tire and don't see cracks in the rubber, it might be just fine. But any tire of that age may be more prone to failure (such as tread delamination or cord separation) sooner than a new tire - conversely, it could hold up well.
Really old tires (such as 20+ years old) are a crapshoot. But it sounds like yours are younger than that.
Tires are a case-by-case basis. In my experience, the when a tire ages, rubber around the bead (the farthest inward part) gets stiff and "crunchy". This isn't a deal-killer, but it can make the tire uncomfortable or difficult to mount. If you inflate the tire and don't see cracks in the rubber, it might be just fine. But any tire of that age may be more prone to failure (such as tread delamination or cord separation) sooner than a new tire - conversely, it could hold up well.
Really old tires (such as 20+ years old) are a crapshoot. But it sounds like yours are younger than that.
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Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
06-13-23, 10:34 PM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
If the tubes were kept away from ozone or UV; e.g. out of sunlight and away from electrical equipment, they should be fine.
Tires are a case-by-case basis. In my experience, the when a tire ages, rubber around the bead (the farthest inward part) gets stiff and "crunchy". This isn't a deal-killer, but it can make the tire uncomfortable or difficult to mount. If you inflate the tire and don't see cracks in the rubber, it might be just fine. But any tire of that age may be more prone to failure (such as tread delamination or cord separation) sooner than a new tire - conversely, it could hold up well.
Really old tires (such as 20+ years old) are a crapshoot. But it sounds like yours are younger than that.
Tires are a case-by-case basis. In my experience, the when a tire ages, rubber around the bead (the farthest inward part) gets stiff and "crunchy". This isn't a deal-killer, but it can make the tire uncomfortable or difficult to mount. If you inflate the tire and don't see cracks in the rubber, it might be just fine. But any tire of that age may be more prone to failure (such as tread delamination or cord separation) sooner than a new tire - conversely, it could hold up well.
Really old tires (such as 20+ years old) are a crapshoot. But it sounds like yours are younger than that.
Thanks!
06-14-23, 06:04 AM
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If they feel brittle and show any signs of cracking then I would bin them. But otherwise they might well be okay, depending on storage conditions.
06-14-23, 06:05 AM
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Depends on how they were stored. Photons will damage the material on the long run. I guess air can also degrade it as well.
06-14-23, 06:25 AM
#6
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No way to tell without looking closely and flexing the tubes and tires. I was off the bike for 8 years and had several leftover tires that were 10 years old. I put one on for awhile, but it was obvious that the others were rotten.
06-14-23, 08:14 AM
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Tires and tubes aren't anything I'd toss just because of some expiration date even if they had one.
I'd still put them on and see how long they last. Only if the tire isn't a size and model that I wish to use any more, or the tube is way too oversized or undersized for the tire would I not use them. Then I'd consider tossing them. If these are old 18 to 21 mm wide tires, I might just toss them no matter how good their condition is. Though I might keep the tubes to use for things. Cut up into strips I find them very useful for tying things up or using to hold stuff together as the glue dries.
Tire and tube failures have never caused me any injury or even made me feel unsafe when they blow out, even when riding at quite a bit of speed.
I'd still put them on and see how long they last. Only if the tire isn't a size and model that I wish to use any more, or the tube is way too oversized or undersized for the tire would I not use them. Then I'd consider tossing them. If these are old 18 to 21 mm wide tires, I might just toss them no matter how good their condition is. Though I might keep the tubes to use for things. Cut up into strips I find them very useful for tying things up or using to hold stuff together as the glue dries.
Tire and tube failures have never caused me any injury or even made me feel unsafe when they blow out, even when riding at quite a bit of speed.
