Cut in tire tread -- is it rideable?

[melissam]

Today was my first ride on the Vredestein Fortezza tires that I got from biketiresdirect.com.

If you'd asked me what I thought of the tires at 10 miles into the ride, I would have given an ecstatic two thumbs up. (And I probably would have wiped out while giving the thumbs up.) The tires are lighter than the Conti Grand Prix tires they replaced, they are very sticky, and when I was climbing hills today, the bike just felt like it wanted to move forward.

Unfortunately, I flatted shortly after mile 10. After I got home and pumped up the tire with my trusty floor pump, I noticed a cut in the tire tread. The cut is probably 2-3 mm long.

Is the tire fatally wounded? I hate to toss it after just one ride. Which was only 11.85 miles. <sob> No, I'm really not a cheapskate. It's just that I hate to throw something away that hasn't gotten a lot of use.

With this type of tire damage, how likely is it that I'll get another flat? If I leave it alone, is that just asking for trouble?

Is there a way to repair this type of damage? Booting is a temporary fix, right? How about some type of goo that would seal the cut?

Should I just order another tire and put one of the Conti's on in the meantime?

Thanks for any ideas.

-- Melissa

[Triskeliongirl]

If it were me I would retire the tire. Booting is a good short-term fix to get yourself home. With that being said though, I imagine if you made a good patch out of an old tire, and glued it well over the gash, you could get some more miles out of the tire. But, I wouldn't do it. The risk of a blowout and subsequent accident just aren't worth it to me. You might want to invest in tires that are more slash proof next time. I have had great luck with schwalbe stelvios for being light, fast, and puncture resistant. Other folks swear by continental gatorskins.

[melissam]

Triskeliongirl,

Thanks for your opinions. I'll probably end up tossing the tire.

I have 650C tires, so my choices are pretty limited. Couldn't find the Stelvios in my size.

I really enjoyed the Vredestein's -- at least until the flat. I think the flat might have been caused by riding on an unpaved section of the road. I felt so good that I explored a new route, so I didn't know I'd hit the unpaved part. And, I hit a rut at a pretty good clip, so that's probably where I got the cut and the flat.

So, I'll probably try another one and be more careful. Maybe I just had bad luck today...

-- Melissa

[Triskeliongirl]

http://schwalbetires.com/node/200/ok

Go to this link, and you can order them in 650 x 23 from schwalbe direct. Their shipping is very reasonable too, since the tires fold compactly. The reason I tried them is that I have a terry with a 700cc rear/ 24" front tire, and there is also not much choice in 24" tires. They recently introduced this tire in 24" and I have been so impressed. I have yet to get a flat with them! It is remarkable given that they are also light weight and handle well. The center is very firm, it is their special flat resistant compound, not kevlar, but in my experience works even better.

[Running Mommy]

Ahh Vredsteins.. I used to LOVE those tires, like BUTTER.. Easy to get on and off the rim, oh those were the days...
Yeah those were the days alright! The days of CONTANTLY changing flats!!
IMO the tires are just too supple and pick up road debris way too easy. Yeah they are nice rolling tires, but what is the point if your stuck on the side of the road all the time??
I switched to conti GP 4000's and havent had a flat since. Here in AZ we have a real problem with road debris, thorns, etc. So we kind of need bomb proof tires. They may not be "fast" but at least I don't flat.
But yeah, I do love the feel of the vredsteins, they are a nice rolling tire...
Ahh if we could only have it all!!
Good luck!
Denise
p.s. my quintana roo rolls 650's, and the conti gp 4000's come in 650.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I use Stelvios on my Bike Friday Pocket Rocket - a little tires bike, but it's set up as a raod bike. These tires are awesome. I highly recommend them.

Oh, and I agree with everyone else - change the tire!

--- Denise