TJHOO

Question sounds silly at first, but I'm serious.

For a given make/model of tire, all other things being equal, is there any difference in color other than cosmetics?

eg
-would light colors run any cooler (doubt)?
-would black be more durable (doubt)?

TCR

You've got all sorts of tire questions tonight!

Someone once told me that black tires are slightly more durable. I don't remember the reason exactly so I won't even attempt it but I do remember it sounded good at the time.

TJHOO

Hey we're on a roll..Get it...hahahaha.......oh boy, it's getting late. Time for bed.

Anybody else?

SDRider

It makes no difference whatsoever.

gpelpel

I also read that black tires are more durable for the fact that the black part of a tire contains a higher percentage of carbon.
Can someone confirm this?

mrballistic

it's funny... the same question pops up a bunch on dj boards about vinyl.

(some colored vinyl is better than others, and black is the only color that's recycled -- so you can be certain that you're getting a fresh press on colored vinyl).

i'd assume that colors on tires do nothing to modify performance, however.

TJHOO

I'd bet running shoes are diff than tires.

Anyway, The black part of running shoes are more durable for the most part than the colored part. Can't recall ther names of the different types. Roadrunner sports is the place though.

TJHOO

Per Roadrunnersports https://www.roadrunnersports.com/cgi-...rrs/rrHome.jsp

Talking to them on the phone, this appears to be true about RUNNING SHOES. Not sure about cycling tires.

khuon

I once blew through a rear tyre and went to my LBS to get a new one. They were out of stock and expecting a new shipment the following week so they lent me a loaner GP3000. It was pumpkin coloured. I rode on it for a week and a half. Admittedly it was a short time frame but it didn't seem to behave or wear differently than my "normal" black GP3000s.

johnny99

Some black tires have are made with carbon for better durability. Some black tires do not use carbon. Some tires use black carbon rubber in the middle, but colored rubber on the sidewalls. You need to look at the specifications for your specific tire.

I believe that some Michelin and Panaracer tires and maybe all Avocets are made with carbon rubber.

EURO

Red ones wear much faster, the red stands for 'danger'.

my58vw

RED ones wear faster because they heat up more (about 0.00001% more) because they color is closer to the infared (heat) region.

james57

How about Michelin with a yellow and black stripe .... This is a sign the we are all spending way too much time on our indoor trainer .. well for me, ot is ..

bbattle

I have a red striped Michelin Carbon on the front for cornering.

I have a yellow striped Michelin Carbon on the back for traction and power.

TJHOO

Talked to Competitive Cyclist and Performance.
They both said the color matters not.

theshoemaker

I'm always wondering this. Euro, where does your info come from? We need some solid data in this thread for it to be of much value.

Almost across the board red colored pigments will fade faster than other colors, esspecially when they are a bit towards the magenta side. I don't know if this has any effect in tires though.

bbattle

Shoemaker, Euro was making a joke. Just as I did in my post about the yellow and red stripes on my tires.

We've probably wrung all the good humor out of this thread as Performance has spilled the beans.

Retro Grouch 

I can't say for sure about road bike tires, but I can definitely say about kid's bike tires.

The black tires that are commonly provided on boy's bikes will last about three times as long as the white tires on girl's bikes. Carbon is an element that is commonly added to rubber mixes to improve wear. My guess is that the carbon muddies up white tires.

TJHOO

Actually, just talked to Biketiresdirect. Gentleman there said the black may have more carbon, and possibly be ever so slightly more durable.

Do any pros ride colored tires?

johnny99

1. Yes, carbon black rubber does last longer, but not all black tires are carbon rubber.
2. Carbon rubber reportedly doesn't grip as well as the silica blend used in some other tires, so carbon may not be best for racing situations. Some manufacturers claim that they use carbon rubber for the center of the tire, but a softer compound on the sides for cornering.
3. Pros mostly use tubular tires, so what they use doesn't have much bearing on what amateurs use.
4. Pros have mechanics to inspect and replace their tires as needed (and also free tires from their sponsors), so they don't really care about durability.

AndrewP

The carbon in rubber makes it more durable, but other materials like silicones are used in tires. Does anybody know whatcolor does to them?

bbattle

The color is added for the OCP crowd.

TJHOO

Planning on getting a pair of Conti GP 4000's. Trying to decide on color. Any more recent thoughts?

56/12 and 22/28

Get white tires.

They won't absorb as much sunlight, and they won't break down as fast.

steve_wmn

Actually you should mount white tires when your riding into the sun and black tires if you're riding with the sun at your back. The effect of solar wind pressure will make you go 0.0000003 KPH faster that way.