Is my tire worn out?
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Is my tire worn out?
I bought a Giant OCR2 over the summer and love the bike. I have about 700 miles on it and notice little spots here and there of yellow showing through the center of the rear tire. I would say there are four or five spots of yellow a little larger than pin heads, some like two pin heads. These are Kenda Kontenders and are size 700x26c. If necessary, what can I use to replace? I cannot find it anywhere, if I need to.What is a longer lasting tire of these are worn? They do not look bad at all. Also, I have the Xero-LIte XSR-4 Wheels. Are these wheels causing tire wear? Please help me out here.
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Hmmmm. 700 miles sounds very early for a tire change. Do you keep your tires properly inflated? Do much skidding when you stop? Do you ride on a trainer?
Seems to me you should get at least 2x your current mileage out of even an inexpensive set of tires. Is the front wearing like the back?
As far as replacing, as long as the tire fits the rim, you're good to go. No need to go with Kenda, unless you want to. Continental, Michelin, Vittoria, Specialized ... the list goes on.
Seems to me you should get at least 2x your current mileage out of even an inexpensive set of tires. Is the front wearing like the back?
As far as replacing, as long as the tire fits the rim, you're good to go. No need to go with Kenda, unless you want to. Continental, Michelin, Vittoria, Specialized ... the list goes on.
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Originally Posted by Danielle
I bought a Giant OCR2 over the summer and love the bike. I have about 700 miles on it and notice little spots here and there of yellow showing through the center of the rear tire. I would say there are four or five spots of yellow a little larger than pin heads, some like two pin heads. These are Kenda Kontenders and are size 700x26c. If necessary, what can I use to replace? I cannot find it anywhere, if I need to.What is a longer lasting tire of these are worn? They do not look bad at all. Also, I have the Xero-LIte XSR-4 Wheels. Are these wheels causing tire wear? Please help me out here.
First you have to make sure that you are seeing cord and not just some paint you picked up off the road surface. Do you keep your tires properly inflated? Most get over 2k miles on their tires without replacement...I do and I weigh about 180 lbs. You have many options for tires. Do a search. You can even find colored tires if that suits your fashion sense. Is it your rear tire that is showing wear? Is it significantly flat spotted? Rear tires wear 2-3X's to one versus front tires due to the rear wheel being the drive wheel and weight distribution.
HTH,
George
#6
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I have the same tires. Got about 1300 miles on them without complains, so far, although they do wear a little fast.
Make sure that it's cord that's showing through. Do you have a digital camera? Pics work well.
Make sure that it's cord that's showing through. Do you have a digital camera? Pics work well.
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Originally Posted by Danielle
Let us know,
George
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Danielle,
You aren't locking up the rear wheel when you apply the brakes, right? Locking up the rear will rapidly trash the tire.
It is very easy to lock up the rear wheel, so go light with the rear brake. The bulk of the braking should be in the front.
You aren't locking up the rear wheel when you apply the brakes, right? Locking up the rear will rapidly trash the tire.
It is very easy to lock up the rear wheel, so go light with the rear brake. The bulk of the braking should be in the front.
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I did a search here a little while ago on tire wear and someone mentioned they only got 600 or 700 miles out of their stock Kendas (only sticks out in my mind cuz I was looking into my mercier at the time and it comes with the same tires). Just order another rear, tires are cheap. If color isnt an issue, these look like a good deal (I replaced my kendas with them)
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420
Might wanna rotate the front to the back so you can use that one up too.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420
Might wanna rotate the front to the back so you can use that one up too.
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Originally Posted by No Exit
I did a search here a little while ago on tire wear and someone mentioned they only got 600 or 700 miles out of their stock Kendas (only sticks out in my mind cuz I was looking into my mercier at the time and it comes with the same tires). Just order another rear, tires are cheap. If color isnt an issue, these look like a good deal (I replaced my kendas with them)
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420
Might wanna rotate the front to the back so you can use that one up too.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420
Might wanna rotate the front to the back so you can use that one up too.
DO NOT..... I repeat..... DO NOT.......Rotate your tires. Go buy you a set of hard compound tires and make sure you inflate them to the recommended pressure on the sidewall every time you ride. A worn back tire rotated to the front gives you a severely elevated risk of blowing one out. If that happens while going 30 miles per hour and it is the front tire there will be lot's of "sad singing and slow walking" in the coming days.
Does your tire apear "squared off" in the middle part of the tire? Is the back tire alot more square than the front tire? If so.... Go buy you a new rear tire and don't chance it.... and never ever rotate your tires because of excessive wear. I may be drafting you when you go down.
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NOOOO... I said rotate your good front tire to the rear so you can use that one up.. not put your nasty tire on the front. Get a new tire, put it on the front and put the front tire on the back.
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I'd try some Continentals if it were me, assuming these are actually worn out. I estimate I have nearly 1000 kms on my Countryrides, and there are still traces of the center ribbing where the tire came out of the mold.
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Originally Posted by Danielle
What is compatible with a 700x26c? I cannot find this size anywhere
a lot of 622-25 tires are actually 26 when fully inflated, if you grab it with a digital caliper.
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That 'don't rotate your tires' thing is crap. I 'know' that's what it says on Sheldon Brown's site. He also says to not retire tires until cord is showing...on the front. Soooooooo....Let's say you still have some viable rubber on the rear. Rotate the tires, and you'll notice one thing, and that won't be a blowout. You'll notice some steering 'oddness' due to the flattened portion of the worn tire. You'll get used to it. The front will stay pretty much in whatever shape it's in since it was rotated from the back. Meanwhile...In time, the rear will begin to show wear, and I bet you this: you'll notice lower rolling resistance. Furthermore, I hereby posit that the 'myth' of aging tubulars for better performance is essentially correct, but it doesn't mean what is commonly understood and derided. Aging a tubular by using it on the bike wears down the rubber, thereby reducing the rolling resistance. The downside to this 'aging', and rotating your tires is pretty simple: more flats. I ALWAYS rotate my tires. I've NEVER had a blowout. Never. Not one. Oh, except for the overinflated brand new rear tire that was in the back of the car...and that was a pinched tube, the tire itself was fine.
Or, listen to everyone else, and chuck it. It's only money.
Or, listen to everyone else, and chuck it. It's only money.
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Originally Posted by Starclimber
That 'don't rotate your tires' thing is crap. I 'know' that's what it says on Sheldon Brown's site. He also says to not retire tires until cord is showing...on the front.
Originally Posted by Starclimber
Soooooooo....Let's say you still have some viable rubber on the rear. Rotate the tires, and you'll notice one thing, and that won't be a blowout. You'll notice some steering 'oddness' due to the flattened portion of the worn tire. You'll get used to it. The front will stay pretty much in whatever shape it's in since it was rotated from the back. Meanwhile...In time, the rear will begin to show wear, and I bet you this: you'll notice lower rolling resistance.
See: https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-rotation
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Hey, Sheldon. Thanks for stopping by. "or the fabric shows through the rubber." My experience is that the rubber becoming absent occurs at about the same time. I must have melded our experiences. A mindless meld, perhaps. My apologies. Seems pretty close to me, though. You don't mention front or rear, so I'm guessing this advice applies to either.
Less rubber to deform equates to less rolling resistance, also in my experience. Experiment: Take two brand new tires, mount them on the bike, ride'm. Take two 'experienced' same brand tires, ride'm, and let me know what you think. I say the 'seasoned veterans' roll better.
Lastly, assuming one puts a 'seasoned' rear tire on the front, and a newbie on the rear, one would tend to purchase fewer tires in the long term. Perhaps your experience is that front and rear tires wear at the same rate, but I don't think you'll back that horse.
Again, thanks for the reply/riposte. Rarely have I found anything you've written to be contentious, or inaccurate, or a waste of time to read. I value your input, and have read MANY of your articles and humorous essays. I'm still hoping a FasterCard application will appear in my mailbox...
PS: I still wipe my tires...and I'm pretty sure I get fewer flats because of that silly habit.
Bill "Somewhat Full of Crap" Kipper, aka Starclimber
Less rubber to deform equates to less rolling resistance, also in my experience. Experiment: Take two brand new tires, mount them on the bike, ride'm. Take two 'experienced' same brand tires, ride'm, and let me know what you think. I say the 'seasoned veterans' roll better.
Lastly, assuming one puts a 'seasoned' rear tire on the front, and a newbie on the rear, one would tend to purchase fewer tires in the long term. Perhaps your experience is that front and rear tires wear at the same rate, but I don't think you'll back that horse.
Again, thanks for the reply/riposte. Rarely have I found anything you've written to be contentious, or inaccurate, or a waste of time to read. I value your input, and have read MANY of your articles and humorous essays. I'm still hoping a FasterCard application will appear in my mailbox...
PS: I still wipe my tires...and I'm pretty sure I get fewer flats because of that silly habit.
Bill "Somewhat Full of Crap" Kipper, aka Starclimber
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Originally Posted by Starclimber
Hey, Sheldon. Thanks for stopping by. "or the fabric shows through the rubber." My experience is that the rubber becoming absent occurs at about the same time. I must have melded our experiences. A mindless meld, perhaps. My apologies. Seems pretty close to me, though. You don't mention front or rear, so I'm guessing this advice applies to either.
Less rubber to deform equates to less rolling resistance, also in my experience. Experiment: Take two brand new tires, mount them on the bike, ride'm. Take two 'experienced' same brand tires, ride'm, and let me know what you think. I say the 'seasoned veterans' roll better.
Lastly, assuming one puts a 'seasoned' rear tire on the front, and a newbie on the rear, one would tend to purchase fewer tires in the long term. Perhaps your experience is that front and rear tires wear at the same rate, but I don't think you'll back that horse.
Again, thanks for the reply/riposte. Rarely have I found anything you've written to be contentious, or inaccurate, or a waste of time to read. I value your input, and have read MANY of your articles and humorous essays. I'm still hoping a FasterCard application will appear in my mailbox...
PS: I still wipe my tires...and I'm pretty sure I get fewer flats because of that silly habit.
Bill "Somewhat Full of Crap" Kipper, aka Starclimber
Less rubber to deform equates to less rolling resistance, also in my experience. Experiment: Take two brand new tires, mount them on the bike, ride'm. Take two 'experienced' same brand tires, ride'm, and let me know what you think. I say the 'seasoned veterans' roll better.
Lastly, assuming one puts a 'seasoned' rear tire on the front, and a newbie on the rear, one would tend to purchase fewer tires in the long term. Perhaps your experience is that front and rear tires wear at the same rate, but I don't think you'll back that horse.
Again, thanks for the reply/riposte. Rarely have I found anything you've written to be contentious, or inaccurate, or a waste of time to read. I value your input, and have read MANY of your articles and humorous essays. I'm still hoping a FasterCard application will appear in my mailbox...
PS: I still wipe my tires...and I'm pretty sure I get fewer flats because of that silly habit.
Bill "Somewhat Full of Crap" Kipper, aka Starclimber
George
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Originally Posted by Starclimber
Hey, Sheldon. Thanks for stopping by. "or the fabric shows through the rubber." My experience is that the rubber becoming absent occurs at about the same time. I must have melded our experiences. A mindless meld, perhaps. My apologies. Seems pretty close to me, though. You don't mention front or rear, so I'm guessing this advice applies to either.
Originally Posted by Starclimber
Less rubber to deform equates to less rolling resistance, also in my experience. Experiment: Take two brand new tires, mount them on the bike, ride'm. Take two 'experienced' same brand tires, ride'm, and let me know what you think. I say the 'seasoned veterans' roll better.
Originally Posted by Starclimber
Lastly, assuming one puts a 'seasoned' rear tire on the front, and a newbie on the rear, one would tend to purchase fewer tires in the long term. Perhaps your experience is that front and rear tires wear at the same rate, but I don't think you'll back that horse.
The concept of rotating tires rear to front only makes sense if you are going to replace tires in pairs, but there's no good reason to replace tires in pairs unless you run a different type/size front/rear...and if you do that you wouldn't want to rotate them either!
Originally Posted by Starclimber
PS: I still wipe my tires...and I'm pretty sure I get fewer flats because of that silly habit.
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#21
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My mercier came stock with Kenda koncepts (the base model tire) I got between 900 and 1000 miles out of them.
I bought 2 brand new tires. Serfas Secas.
I find that my front tire last over twice as long as the back. So I sometimes I have to buy just a new tire for the back, sometimes I buy a new tire for both front and back.
Be sure to keep your tires at the reccomended pressure, this will help them last as long as possible. If you are a heavier rider, your tires will wear quicker then a lighter rider.
When I had the Kendas on my bike I was over 200 pounds. Now that I am 30 pounds lighter the same tire just might last me longer.
Road condition plays a factor too.
I bought 2 brand new tires. Serfas Secas.
I find that my front tire last over twice as long as the back. So I sometimes I have to buy just a new tire for the back, sometimes I buy a new tire for both front and back.
Be sure to keep your tires at the reccomended pressure, this will help them last as long as possible. If you are a heavier rider, your tires will wear quicker then a lighter rider.
When I had the Kendas on my bike I was over 200 pounds. Now that I am 30 pounds lighter the same tire just might last me longer.
Road condition plays a factor too.
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Originally Posted by Crayon
Danielle,
You aren't locking up the rear wheel when you apply the brakes, right? Locking up the rear will rapidly trash the tire.
It is very easy to lock up the rear wheel, so go light with the rear brake. The bulk of the braking should be in the front.
You aren't locking up the rear wheel when you apply the brakes, right? Locking up the rear will rapidly trash the tire.
It is very easy to lock up the rear wheel, so go light with the rear brake. The bulk of the braking should be in the front.
mscycler
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Originally Posted by mscycler
I'm no expert here, but I remember reading somewhere that you should always get your water bottle out of the vage with your left hand. That way, you still have your right hand for rear braking. I would guess that you would need your rear brake much more than you would your front. I know on motorcycles, you use your rear brake much more than the front...for control purposes...what would make a bike any different???
mscycler
mscycler
I don't know what the MSF is teaching motorcyclists nowdays. Just last week, I heard "use the rear brake more" from a new rider. When I took the rider safety course and the advanced course many years ago, they taught us to use the front brake with more force than the rear.
Physics dictates that the front brake provides the bulk of the stopping power. The rear end of the bike unloads when braking making it far too easy to lock up the rear tire. Not to mention, you have more "control" of a hand brake than a foot brake.
Last edited by Crayon; 09-25-05 at 01:52 PM.
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Oh, I should have mentioned Campagnolo Record brakes. The front is dual pivot, providing greater stopping power, and the rear is single pivot, providing lesser stopping power.
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Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
Well, a thinner tire will have lower rolling resistance. If rolling resistance is a high priority for you, you should buy thinner tires to begin with, rather than starting out with thick tires and counting on them to wear thin.
The concept of rotating tires rear to front only makes sense if you are going to replace tires in pairs, but there's no good reason to replace tires in pairs unless you run a different type/size front/rear...and if you do that you wouldn't want to rotate them either!
Hopefully this clarifies my stance on this issue. I'm odd, but not stupid or insane. Usually.
Bill 'Not Afraid to be Inquisitively Eccentric' Kipper
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