InvertedMP 

After my ride, I was doing my usual post ride inspection of the bike and noticed this cut in the tire. I know this is super subjective and it's

super hard to tell from a pic but I wanted to see what you all thought about it. The cut is into the sidewall a bit. It's a Conti GP5000TL, no sealant came out so it didn't puncture the tire. What do you guys think?

Iride01 

If the tire itself is not bulging at the cut when the tire is at your riding pressure then I wouldn't be concerned. Do you even have air in that?

InvertedMP 

Yea it was at 90 psi when I started my ride today so I bet right there its 85psi? So yes it is inflated.

10 Wheels

Look at that area from the Inside of the tire.
Might need a patch of some kind for safety.

oris

I'd take a look on the inside of the tire but otherwise would superglue it and run it.

Random11

Is this a good fix for a cut in a tire? I ask because I have a much bigger cut in my rear tire. I just noticed it a few days ago. Not sure when I got it, but I've been riding on it with no problems. Should I try superglue in the gash as a repair?

oris

The super glue thing is something I learned from here for closing up superficial tire cuts. However if you're able to see threads or the carcass reinforcement from the cut, I'd replace it.

GlennR

Like this?

InvertedMP 

That’s the tube sticking out I assume?

spelger

i am not familiar with what i assume is a tubeless tire but i see what appears to be a shard of something protruding through the tire, there is a shadow of something just below the conti tread thing and then i see what i think is the other end near where you began and ended your red circle.

-scott

oris

That doesn't look right. I'd replace it as you shouldn't see anything protruding.

Generally it's still OK if it's inflated, a clean cut on the tread/rubber with nothing protruding or visible cords/threads.

Bmach

My safety is worth more than the cost of a new tire. I would toss and replace!

TonyMTL

To all those talking about safety... I have questions for you, I have a hard time picturing something bad happening. I mean I have had my fair share of flats and punctures and cuts etc, and every time it happened the only thing I’ve had happen was a popping sensation and a quick decrease in speed, and then handling issues by which I was going so slowly that I could just apply brakes and put my feet on the ground. Did anyone here ever get seriously injured from a sudden flat? I’m very curious because I personally don’t know anyone who did, please share your experience. For the record; I’m sure it can happen, say in a high speed situation down a hill doing sharp turns next to a cliff or oncoming traffic, but I personally never put myself in such a situation to begin with, and any time I lose more that 15psi pressure in my tyres, I notice it right away and slow down immediately to check it out.

More « on topic » now; I’ve had a cut in my sidewall for about 1800km now and I can see the Inner reinforcement « threading » through it (I assume it’s reinforcement threading, it looks like white thread.)However being in the sidewall there are very little chances of it causing a catastrophic failure, before it does the cut will stretch, then once it stretches the threading will have to stretch and give out and then when you can actually see broken thread that’s when there’s a risk of having the tube bulge out a bit and pop. The cut has not gotten any bigger since I made it, either. Looks exactly the same.

spelger

i frequently descend down a steep hill at high speed (35mph+) with sharp turns and a cliff off to the left then on the right when about 2/3 down. not replacing it would give me something to think about on the way down i'm sure.

TonyMTL

I would probably feel the same if that was my case, in all honesty. I’m probably too scared to even attempt riding like that (and I don’t race so I guess it works out for me!)

CliffordK

For the OP's tire.

If there is imprinted tread on the tire.

And the cut itself is not deeper than the imprinted tread, then I wouldn't give it a second thought.

JUST RIDE AND ENJOY

znomit

I'd throw that out.

Amt0571

If the cords are not visible when spreading the cut, and there's not damage visible inside, I'd deem it safe to ride. But it's your decision.

A while ago I posted a picture of a cut in my tire asking for a similar question. It was mostly deemed unsafe as the inner tube was visible (but not bulging through the hole). Anyway, I stuck a tire patch on the inside of the tire, and plugged the 2.5mm hole with a bit of the patch kit glue and a piece of rubber.

I finally threw the tire last weekend when I found irrepairable damage on it (at another place), after riding it for 2500km like this.

I took my chances, and it worked out. But keep in mind that a damaged tire can blowout and cause you to fall, so make sure the cords are ok and there's zero tire deformation when inflated.

sfrider 

I'd ride it. It doesn't look like the casing is damaged, and the rubber is just there for traction. A small superficial cut in the outer rubber doesn't matter, but I'd also inspect it with a good light, magnifier, and tweezers. But chances are good it's from running over a sharp edge rather than something pointy embedding itself in the casing.

MinnMan

I wouldn't ride that tire. When sidewalls do fail, they can be hard to boot (though I have managed - thank you Park Tool). I wouldn't want to be stuck out on the road with a tire I couldn't fix.
And I can't think of any story about somebody being injured or going down owing to a flat.

CliffordK

I suppose it depends on how much of the sidewall remains.

I've blown the sidewall off the bead... well, I guess twice. What a pain.

The first time was on a 20x3 trailer tire. I got a 20x2.x thornproof tube. Pumped it up and the tube gave me enough support for the last 20 miles or so of my ride. No boot.

The second one was a 700x23 tire, with a bike that had barely enough clearance for perhaps a tight fit of 700x25. So, I stuffed all could find into and around the tire to give it some support, and managed to make it another 20 or so miles to the nearest shop just before it closed. But, the bulge was a major issue.



In this case, I really don't know what caused the blowout. The tire was brand new. I think 75 miles into the first ride. Probably some vulnerability in the tire itself. Plus, I mounted the tire in the cool evening the night before, and put the pressure to about 110 or so PSI. Then it was a hot afternoon the next day when it blew. So, perhaps slightly overpressure.

I would be tempted to try a boot on one of the tires above. But, so far I've only had moderate success with long-term use of boots, usually eventually wearing through.

MinnMan

Looks like a GP4000? Lots of anecdotes about their sidewall failures This too was a brand new tire. That's a tire boot underneath, holding it together.

CliffordK

I didn't realize the GP's didn't have the cross-hatch pattern on the sidewalls which I'm convinced is primarily cosmetic.

Right brand, wrong tire. You can see the "S..LL" in the photo.

Conti Gator Hardshell. And, as I mentioned, mounted the day before, first 75 miles.

Stripped the bead off... which means one has to wrap whatever one uses for a boot under one, or both of the beads, and around to the outside of the tire. And, in this case, bulging was still a problem. I managed to adjust the dropouts enough to move tire a bit away from the bad side, then by pulling the skewer back,it keep the hub from pulling imperceptibly forward and rubbing.

The shop I stopped at recommended carrying gorilla tape the next time, but I never seem to have any in my bag.

Racing Dan

You need to unmount the tyre and inspect it from the inside as well, except if its obvious its cut all the way through. Then just bin it.

Psimet2001 

Fine... ride it.



Replace



Keep an eye on it but if you have the $ and don't care then buy a new one.
Kill that with fire.


Kill that with fire after the tire boot gets you home.