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Dry rotting tires are a common issue for those that don’t ride their bikes too often! So many people like having bikes, but irregularly take them out (at no fault of their own). However after that amount of time, they may come out to a nearly new bike and find dry rot and cracks throughout their tires. In this article we are going to talk about how that happens, and what you can do to keep it from happening.
So how do I keep my bicycle tires from dry rotting? The best way to keep your bicycle tires from dry rotting is to keep it out of the weather. Other things will include riding the bike a little bit more often, keep the tires full and to make sure you are keeping your bicycle off the ground when in storage.
Let’s dig a little bit more into these four things you can be doing to keep your bicycle tires from dry rotting.
By far, the main reason why bicycle tires dry rot and rack is because they have been left out in the weather. The constant change from rain, snow and sun will cause the rubber in tires to break down. This is especially caused by the UV rays from the sun.
The best way to fix this, is to store your bicycle in an indoor space such as a shed, garage or indoors! Alternatively, if that isn’t something you are able to do, a bicycle cover like this one will be a best bet to at least keep it mostly protected.
Giving your tires a chance to heat up on a good bike ride every once in a while can make a huge difference in the longevity of your bicycle tires. Heating up the tires on a ride, will allow the compounds to stretch out in the way they are supposed to and will allow them to last longer.
A side effect of this, is that you might find that you want to bicycle longer, and enjoy the sport!
Fill up the air in your tires regularlyBicycle tires are built to be in a specific shape, so make sure to keep them aired up to keep them from being deformed. If there isn’t enough air in the tires, they will squat down and will crack at the point where it is bending abnormally. If left for long periods of time, this is one of the main ways you will get dry rot and cracks.
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I would just keep a bicycle pump like this one sitting next to your bikes, and every once in a while do a check to make sure they are pumped up and pump them up if necessary.
Finally, another great way to keep bicycle tires from dry rotting is by keeping the bicycles off the ground in storage! This can be done via hanging bike racks like this one, or just by using those screw in type bike hangers right here.
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When you keep the bicycle tires off the ground, it takes the weight off of the rubber, and allows them to stay in their ideal form, rather than squatting down.
Another huge benefit of this is space savings! Hanging your bicycle up off the ground, allows for a ton more floor space, especially in the case of an apartment.
If your bicycle tires are dry rotted now, I would highly recommend purchasing some new tires before riding. Dry rotted tires have a tendency to go flat, as the tires structural integrity has been compromised. Air will find its way through the path of least resistance, and in this case that is the cracks.
These tires, even if not flat, can also be dangerous for your ride. They generally are not able to conform to the road as well, and you may find yourself not able to take corners in a way that you used to be able to.
How long do bicycle tires normally last?
Bicycle tires (if taken care of) can last up to 10 years! This will only happen though if you take the steps to maintain your bike.
Don’t think you can leave a bike in storage for 10 years and expect that they will be fine upon your arrival.
Can you repair a dry rotted tire?
Unfortunately dry rotted tires are unable to be repaired. Make sure to take care of your bike, and maintain those tires, otherwise you will be replacing them when you are ready to cycle again.
How can I make my bike tires last longer?
Taking all of precautions in this article such as keeping the tires at the right PSI, storing it off the ground, riding it regularly, and keeping them somewhere out of the weather will all help bike tires last longer.
So there you have it! There are thankfully many ways you are able to keep bicycle tires from dry rotting. If you are someone that doesn’t use your bicycle very often, make sure to take these additional steps to make sure you don’t come back to a bicycle that needs some extreme maintenance to get it ridable again.
No one wants to be ready for a nice ride, only to find they have to work on it before they get a chance to.
By Tony K | Mountain Bikes
I was thinking lately about bike tires cracking and what causes them to crack. When they crack, are they safe to keep using or are they too dangerous to use. So I decided to do a little research and share it with you today.
You can keep your tires from cracking by riding your bike often and storing your bike out of direct sunlight. Rubber tires do their best when they are used often, causing the rubber to flex. UV sun rays also cause the rubber to break down and become more brittle, so storing them out of direct sunlight can drastically help the tires not to crack.
Of course, substandard rubber in the tires can speed up cracking in the tires as well.
I’m sure you have more questions like how safe are tires that have already cracked. Let’s jump right into what exactly causes tires to crack so you can avoid it and then what you should do once they do crack.
Tires will crack for one of 4 main reasons under normal usage. When a bike tire cracks, it means the layers of the tire are separating and breaking down. There are many ways and these are the most common ones.
Bike tires are made of rubber which can break down the rubber when it has prolonged exposure to the Sun’s UV rays. This is known as UV degradation. The rubber will crack and disintegrate
You may wonder why these bike tires companies aren’t doing something to help the tires last longer since everytime they are in use they are exposed to UV rays.
As it turns out, they do include a UV stabilizer, and it’s called Carbon Black. This Competitive Absorber captures the UV radiation and converts it to heat which becomes harmless.
This absorber is almost always used to help stabilize and reinforce rubber in tires, and it’s the reason why all of these bike tires are black.
So while the stabilizing agent does help, it just slows down the process of the rubber breaking down.
You can’t help the sun affecting your tires while riding (which is minor), but store the bike out of the sun to really slow down this process.
Storing a bike in the garage on a concrete floor when not in use seems like a fair thing to do. It’s out of the weather and away from UV rays. So why is it bad?
In itself keeping a bike in the garage is fine. Keeping it in the garage and not using it is bad.
And no, I don’t mean just because they’re so fun to ride 🙂
Bikes just sitting in the garage can develop what is called Dry Rot. The tires become brittle and less pliable over long periods of time.
You may not see the dry rot until you ride it for a couple of miles and notice the cracks happening. Fundamentally the tire compound is breaking down and not interacting with the road as it should.
The risk is that the tires could have a blowout and it could result in you getting hurt.
If you plan on riding a bit, it’s worth spending a few bucks to just replace the tires to be safe. You can get 29″ Schwinn replacement tires on Amazon for only $21.99. For $44 you can be good as new and no risk.
Riding a bike with tire pressure too low can also cause cracks as less tire pressure means the tire structure isn’t supported nearly as well as it was designed for.
Mountain bike tires are normally 25 to 35 psi. Road bike tires are normally 80 to 120 psi.
If you were to run road tires at say 40 psi, the tires will have more stress and more likely to develop cracks in the tire. The sidewall damage tires compound can get in this situation is enough to structurally compromise the bicycle tire itself.report this ad
The only safe thing to do at this point is replace the tire and ensure the tires are inflated normally for future rides.
Sometimes tires are just not made very well from the manufacturer.
When you see something like the above picture, it’s not something you did wrong.
Tires are made from different rubber compounds, and sometimes they aren’t sticking together too well. The picture above shows where the sidewall rubber compound and the tread rubber compound are separating and something like this is a defect from the manufacturer that comes out given enough time.
It may take more than 6 months or as little as a month, but main tread can actually separate from the rest of the tire.
This is not something to mess around with. Replace these suckers fast.
Tires that have cracks can have different ways that the bike tires can fail depending on what caused the crack to develop.
While none of these are good, if you are riding near vehicles or hauling down a mountain, the results could be disasterous.
Remember that a tire isn’t safe just because it can roll. The key issue is whether the tire can still effectively perform as it should for your bike on the road.
So, cracked bicycle tires are not safe to ride on and they should be replaced immediately.
Just imagine you’re jumping your bike and you come down and your tire has a blowout. Not a pretty thought, so just be safe and replace tires when they are not performing as they should.
After you’ve had to deal with one set of cracked tires, the first question is going to be how to prevent it from happening in the future. It’s a fair question to say the least.
So here’s my list on what I do to make sure my tires stay fresh and safe, keeping in mind that the tires are the only thing actually touching the road so it’s pretty important.
Really that’s all I do.
After awhile, it’s just part of normal maintenance.
Always check the tires, brakes, and all mechanical items regularly and bikes are a lot more trouble-free. In fact, if you have to take off your wheels to load it into a vehicle to transport to the trails, now is a perfect time to inspect the tires.
That and be sure to bring a spare tube and a mini air pump in your backpack of biking supplies to ensure you can get to where you are going. Heck, even something like this Bell tool kit one I saw at Target the other will help you out in a pinch.
How long bike tires should last really depends on what type of bike tires. Generally speaking, expect 1,000 to 3,000 miles out of a set of bike tires
| Tire Type | Expect Mileage Tire Should Last |
| Road Tires | 1,000 to 3,000 miles |
| High-End Tires | 2,500+ miles |
| Racing Tires | 1,000+ miles |
| Touring Tires | Up to 4,000 miles |
| Trail Tires | 3,000 miles to 8,000 miles |
Tires like trail tires and touring tires are durable because they often are used on more technical terrain.
Things like sharp rocks can radically cut down on the mileage of a tire but don’t avoid having fun either.
Expect for racing tires, most tires you can expect to get around 2,000 miles of usage out of.
The key is to learn how to examine your bike tire for signs of advanced wear and that it’s time to replace them.
Look for these key issues to alert you that the tire is ready to replace:
So just keep an eye on your tires and make tire inspection part of your regular checkup. If you see any of the common signs of tire failure, be safe and just get a new set so you can enjoy riding without issues everyday. Replace bike tires before one goes out while you are riding.
I am a mountain biker among other things and I enjoy writing about both topics I know but also about new things about mountain bikes that I learn.
If you enjoy tackling trails and tracks and everything in between, then this is the blog for you.
Tire punctures are common for cyclists and at the same time a nightmare on the race and a spoiled mood on a bike trip.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of a puncture. Our tips will help you avoid an unpleasant situation.
Bicycle tires are what protect your camera. The lightest and fastest tires are also the most prone to punctures.
Tough and durable marathon tires have a tough, puncture-resistant layer that helps prevent sharp objects from penetrating the belt and tube. Yes, they are heavier, but the repair of the wheel has a stronger effect on the results of the race in a negative direction.
Often the cause of a puncture, puncture or snakebite is under-inflated tires. "Snake bite" occurs when a sudden collision with something protruding (curb, stone).
In this case, the camera breaks in two adjacent places. Due to the weak pressure in the chamber, the tire bulges, pressing against the rim, and the chamber is sandwiched between the rim and a solid object on the road.
To avoid this problem, make sure your tires are properly inflated before riding, especially if you're on a less than perfect track. Properly selected pressure gives less chance of deformation of the tire and its contact with the rim.
The tire must be marked with the values to which it should be inflated. Try not to go beyond both the minimum and maximum values. If you are going to ride on asphalt, bring the tire pressure to the maximum value, and if on an uneven surface, reduce it to the average allowable.
This simple tip is ignored by many, unaware that before and after every ride you need to spin the wheels and check for any sharp objects stuck in the tyre. If they are not removed, they will over time, under the influence of your weight, push into the inner chamber - and provide a puncture.
Most glass and debris collects on the edge of the road, so another way to protect yourself from camera repair is to choose a place on the road away from littered areas.
Don't just look under your wheel, otherwise you risk not noticing a pit, stone, broken glass and other dangers in time. Look a few steps ahead.
If you are traveling in a group, warn your comrades of the danger. There are special signs for this. If someone has a puncture, the whole group will have to wait on the side of the road until the injured cyclist is done with the repair.
If you cannot avoid a potential hazard, loosen your grip on the handlebars as much as possible and try to "slide" over the obstacle. When you tense up by squeezing the steering wheel and leaning on it, the force acting on the front wheel in the event of an impact increases.
In addition, you can use your cycling skills to literally jump over obstacles. This works well with potholes, rails, and narrow artificial bumps like speed bumps. Just don't show off your amazing skills when riding in a group.
If you do need to replace tubes, always check the inside of the rim and tire for any debris. To do this, carefully run your finger along the inner surface and inspect.
Then inflate the inner tube a little, place it in the rim support and make sure that the inner tube does not get stuck between the rim and the edge of the tire.
Tubeless tires don't have the usual tube underneath, hence the name. Tubeless technology has been around for many years, especially in the mountain bike market. Gradually, it is being introduced into the road cycling environment. "Tubeless" have increased resistance to punctures and here's why:
Tires don't last forever and wear out over time. Many of them have an indicator showing when it's time to replace. As soon as it shows up, get a new tire.
Indicators are usually two small holes a few mm wide in the tire tread. If they are no longer visible, then the tire has worn out, and it is time to change it.
There are no such indicators on the MTB, but you can watch the tread spikes. When they get rough and close to being level with the ground, it's time to install a new tire.
Sometimes the problem is not on the outside, but on the inside. For example, in the rim. So, the rim is surrounded by a rim tape, which can be damaged or move. This is the most innocuous of problems, and if you find worse faults, visit a bike shop where they will fix your wheel.
Of course, it is not expected that a puncture will be the fault of the old chamber, but it does happen.
The inner chamber also wears out, and the rubber becomes more crumbly. If you haven't changed your camera for several years, check it before an important start.
Although there is a belief among riders that with a new tube a puncture will happen literally on the same day.
Taping a punctured chamber is a cheap but temporary solution. With a camera that has a patch, and even more so more than one, the risk of a puncture increases. If it is not possible to install a new camera on the way and you have to patch a punctured one, we recommend that you replace it immediately after the trip.
This tip is for cyclists who ride without punctures for a long time. The chamber valve itself and the place around it wear out faster than rubber. During the year, you have to pump up the wheel countless times, so sometimes the culprit of a flat tire on a trip is a valve damaged from use.
The area on the tube around it can also tear and crack, because it is most subject to friction against the hole in the rim.
It's more likely to get a puncture in the rain because the water acts as a lubricant and helps sharp stones and glass cut through the tire. And when it rains, there is more garbage on the road: it is washed from sidewalks, lawns and from the edge of the road to the part where you usually ride a bike.
Sealant can be used not only in tubeless tyres. This tool is added to conventional cameras. It, of course, will make the wheel a little heavier, but it will create additional protection.
Adding sealant is easier if the chamber has a removable valve core, so you can fill it without risking clogging the valve. But before you follow this advice, make sure the sealant is compatible with your bike's inner tubes, especially if you're using latex ones.
Inner tube sealant works the same as tubeless sealant. It covers the inside of the chamber as the wheel spins, and if you puncture, the air escaping from the chamber sucks the sealant towards the hole. Sealant particles should plug the hole before the wheel deflates.
A wider tire can be a life saver for flat tires if you have to drive on bad roads frequently. For daily training or commuting, tire width is not critical. A larger volume of air will resist impact or "snake bites".
When you decide to use a wider tire, make sure you also fit the correct inner tube. If you buy a 25mm tire but still have a 23mm tube, the tube rubber will be too thin, increasing the chances of a puncture.
You can also buy puncture resistant tape that goes between the tire and tube, adding an extra layer of protection. However, with modern technology and puncture protection materials, it will be an unnecessary addition that will only increase the weight of the wheels.
However, tape is worth considering if you're mountain biking on very bumpy trails and don't want to go tubeless.
We hope that our advice will help prevent a puncture, and your trip or race will be pleasant and leave only positive emotions.
Read more: How to properly wash a bicycle
Bicycle tire wear is a natural thing and it always happens. In general, you need to keep in mind that a bicycle tire is a consumable item.
Wear itself is different and carries different risks when driving.
Tread wear. Leads to an increased risk of punctures and loss of traction and ground. For a “toothy” tire, this is generally death.
Deep and wide cuts, abrasions and breaks in will not hold an inflated tube inside, and it can burst at any moment, all the more so you should always remember that it is not the tube that holds the pressure, but the tire.
Small cracks in rubber are not as bad as deep and multiple cracks that can lead to gusts.
One of the serious and objective factors of bicycle tire wear is the weight of the cyclist.
The rule here is simple: the more the rider weighs, the faster the tires wear out, especially the rear wheel. Tires on a bicycle on a 100 kg man will wear out faster than on a slender girl weighing 50 kg.
Cycling experts believe that starting with a load of more than 75-80 kg, tire wear becomes more noticeable.
Again, given the weight distribution of the cyclist on the wheels, the rear tires are subject to more wear.
First of all, what is a compound?
Compound in tires is the compound of rubber from which the tread is made.
What affects the stiffness of the compound.
One of the properties of compounds is hardness or stiffness.
Designated on tires with a two-digit number with the letter "a" at the end. For example: 40a, 42a, 57a/62a, 60a, 62a, 70a, 80a. The larger the number, the stiffer the tire.
Depending on the composition of the compound, the properties of the tire differ. For example, a "sticky slick" with a hardness of 40a or 42a will ride on smooth asphalt even worse than a "toothy" rubber with a hardness of 70a.
There are many types of rubber used by manufacturers, but the general idea is the same: the softer the compound, the better the grip, but the higher the wear rate .
You can read more about the compound and stiffness of tires on our website in the article “What is the compound and stiffness of bicycle tires”.
Each type of tire is designed for its own operating conditions. Therefore, if you drive on asphalt on toothy rubber designed for driving through the forest, then its wear will be very fast.
Some young cyclists buy a brand new mountain bike with toothy tires and ride it on the city asphalt. Ponty, of course, is a great force, but for asphalt you need to take slicks or semi-slicks. And on toothy ones - ride on the ground, sand, snow, etc.
For more information about the types and choice of tires, see the article “Which tire to choose for a bike”.
Continuously riding with low tire pressure will cause premature tire wear. In this case, the destruction of the side wall of the tire and excessive wear of the tread occurs.
More information about tire pressure can be found in the article “Bicycle tire pressure”.
When braking hard and hard, especially on asphalt or concrete, the tread wears out very much, especially on soft rubber.
Bicycle storage under the following conditions:
lead to a change in the properties of the rubber or compound from which the tire is made and its accelerated wear.
The tire loses its softness, cracks and quickly becomes unusable.
For more information about the rules for storing a bike in winter and between skiing, see the article “Where and how to store a bike in winter”.
Based on the listed causes of tire wear, methods to combat this phenomenon are also selected.
You do not need to use a penknife, a sharp flat screwdriver, or the first piece of iron that comes across, especially if it has sharp edges or burrs. There are special tools for these jobs. Everything must be done carefully, because. if the inner surface of the tire is damaged or cut, it may not withstand the high pressure in the chamber and burst right on the road. How to put the last 20-30 cm of a stubborn tire on a bicycle wheel is described here.
Since the rear wheel wears faster than the front, swapping them will prolong the life of the entire set of tires.
In general, approach this issue with sober calculation and logic.
Often, if you need to change one tire, no matter front or rear, the question arises: “ Is it possible to put different tires on the front and rear wheels on a bicycle? With different tread? »
Yes, you can, especially since it is not always possible to buy exactly the same rubber that was on the bike earlier.
