How many more miles...

[DebW]

... do you think I can get on this tire? (see attached photos)


The white spot is where the tread is worn completely off and the casing is showing. This is a sewup (the label is too worn to read but maybe somebody can recognize it). I use 270-300 gram tires in the $20-30 range.


I think I've been riding on this tire for ~3 years, since I replaced my rear rim. I'd estimate it has 2000-3500 miles on it (I was off the bike for 4 months last year with a broken collarbone). Don't think I've ever worn tire tread down this far, but I typically do get multiple years out of a sewup. Guess that speaks to the cleanliness of the roads that I ride on.

If anyone wants to place bets on the miles left in this tire, maybe we can give a prize to the closest guess. My odo currently reads 6142 miles. I intend to ride it until it blows out. It's glued on well and it's going to stay on my rim as long as possible. Though I might change it if I decide to do a century or 75 mile charity ride, to avoid a potential long ride on an unglued tire.

[RoadRaven]

I'd change it now... As soon as tyres start to show this kind've wear... we change - if not before.

As for riding til it blows, please don't take offence - but that seems irresponsible to me.

What if it blows on a downhill corner? Who among your family gets to pick up the pieces?

What if it blows on a busy stretch of road and you lose control and go under a truck? How will the truck driver live with himself?

What if it blows when you are riding with a pack of friends? Are you gonna feel ok about the crash you may cause?

I'm sorry, Deb, this is not intended as a flame, but you really need to consider your own safety and the well-being of others (not to mention the possible damage to your steed...)

Biking should not be about screwing the lass cent out of every piece of equipment... it should be about having fun safely...

I hope you change your tyre.

[Grog]

Thank you RoadRaven for expressing my feelings in a much nicer way than I would have. I'm had abstained from commenting so far but...

I don't think it's a good idea to wear a tire to such a degree. Please do everyone a favor and change them. Nobody's safety should be compromised just to see how far you can take this tire.

[RoadRaven]

Um... thanks Grog... I typed this, read, tweaked, reread... got a couple of others in house to read... wondered if I was being harsh and then decided I had to post because if this tyre resulted in a crash I would have not forgiven myself for not piping up.

I noticed how many people had looked at the attachments and began to wonder if I was being a bit of a control freak...

Hey Deb, really looking forward to you replying and telling us you have changed tyre...

[SnappyPix]

Completely agree with RR & Grog.
Are you seriously willing to risk another broken collarbone (or worse) for the price of a tyre? I understand the "let's see how far we can take this baby" joke, but think that the risk of a crash or nasty consequences following a blow out should be taken seriously.
I honestly don't think you should compromise your life for the sake of a joke or a few dollars on a new tyre.
Put it this way, I wouldn't want to be riding behind you unless you changed your tyre.
Please reconsider.

[yellow]

I think I've been riding on this tire for ~3 years, since I replaced my rear rim. I'd estimate it has 2000-3500 miles on it (I was off the bike for 4 months last year with a broken collarbone). Don't think I've ever worn tire tread down this far, but I typically do get multiple years out of a sewup. Guess that speaks to the cleanliness of the roads that I ride on.

I'm surprised it's lasted this long! I usually go through 2 sets of tires each year (though not always). I can't imagine having a tire last 3 years. I do tend to ride lighter tires, but they aren't racing tires or anything like that. And I always change them at the beginning of the outside riding season. Since the trainer eats tires, I can always use up the last little bit of rubber on used tires that way rather than risk it on the road.

Now that I'm riding in a more urban environment, I'm paying a lot more attention to the tires. Last thing I want is a blowout that could potentially cause me to lose control.

So, to answer your question, I'd say 0 miles outside. If you have a trainer, keep it for use with that or for "parts" to make little boot pieces. Old tires also make good dog toys and can be used to create interesting garden artwork!

[DebW]

I've changed the tire. Thank you Road Raven, Grog, et al. for talking some sense into me. I've never had a problem with a blowout on the road, but no sense taking chances.

[Blueberry]

I have to echo what everyone else has said - I looked at the pics and then debated for a long time what to say. Others said it for me, better than I could have.

I see bicycles as a form of transportation, in addition to being a fun sport. We have a right to ride them on the road and we don't have the same kinds of state enforcement that cars do (don't want to get into the right/privilege debate here). A car with a tire like that would not pass inspection and would therefore be pulled from the road until it's fixed. Just because bikes don't have to be inspected doesn't mean that we shouldn't act responsibly with regard to their operation. The same logic applies for bike tires as for car tires - please change it before you hurt yourself and/or someone else in the process of trying to eek a few more miles out of it. Sorry to be harsh, but that tire is a disaster waiting to happen!

[Blueberry]

DebW-

I was typing my message as you posted - *very* glad to hear that you have changed it!!!!!!!

[dianne_1234]

Great photos! I think from the label it looks like some model from Panaracer. If it's a "Tourguard" version, the ply you see under the tread is the anti-puncture Kevlar belt. (Maybe that's why it's lasted so long?!?)

If it's a "Tourguard" version of any Panaracer model, I'd think that tire could go another... 500 miles? 1000? Good thing it's on the rear: a flat there is much easier to control than on the front.

When you take it off, it would be interesting to cut it open to see the belt laminated under the tread! I've used scissors in the past, but I'm not sure how easily they'll cut through Panaracer's Kevlar.

[betagirl]

Yeah, change it. I had a tire show through like that and my tube started to bulge in that weak area of the tire. It just spells blowout.

[RoadRaven]

*breathes sigh of relief*
Thanks Deb for letting us know
Am pleased you are still talking to me too... always so difficult in this kind've environment to hit the right note so one is not aggressive or condescending...
Looking forward to many more posts from you

[Geonz]

When I had a flat on a worn tire last year - which made me realize how worn it was - my buddies said they weren't going to ride with me until I had a note from the bike shop that I had replaced it.
I reckon if you hang around *this* forum, you're gonna get ladies who want to have fun, not out macho each other with foolishness ;-) What are we, occasionally sensible???
I usually get 5000+ miles on my Continental 2000's - I'm trying to figure out some useful or decorative way to recycle them :-) Hmmm... maybe cut them and use them to guide track lighting?

[DebW]

Great photos! I think from the label it looks like some model from Panaracer. If it's a "Tourguard" version, the ply you see under the tread is the anti-puncture Kevlar belt. (Maybe that's why it's lasted so long?!?)

Thanks for the id. Panaracer sounds right. Probably Kevlar. I didn't expect the tube to bulge through anytime soon. But riding on no tread and no rubber wasn't a bright idea.

RoadRaven, you were very polite and diplomatic. Thanks again. Next time you can just tell me that I'm being an idiot (but do it in a PM please!).

[Nanci]

You know the bad thing about these ancient tires- if you flat, and have to change it, the sidewall can disintegrate during the process, leaving you with a now _really_ unsafe tire.

(I know you already changed them- just pointing it out because I inherited a bike with tires like that, that had never been replaced _ever_ in years and years) and that happened to me when I flatted.

Nanci