Gatorskins failing - tread bubbling
03-22-21, 11:55 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Gatorskins failing - tread bubbling
I've used Gatorskins for well over a decade. Absent any nasty cuts or punctures, I always get about 3000 miles on a rear tire and more on a front.
This weekend I replaced a front tire when it started making a squishing noise. This also happened about 18 months ago on my front, and the issue is that the tread separates from the casing in small bubbles about the size of a pea. The tire had plenty of life left in it otherwise but the squishing noise is really noticeable and annoying.
I've not found any other mention of this, but I've had 2 tires fail this way in 18 months.
This weekend I replaced a front tire when it started making a squishing noise. This also happened about 18 months ago on my front, and the issue is that the tread separates from the casing in small bubbles about the size of a pea. The tire had plenty of life left in it otherwise but the squishing noise is really noticeable and annoying.
I've not found any other mention of this, but I've had 2 tires fail this way in 18 months.
03-22-21, 12:16 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,082
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3374 Post(s)
Liked 5,508 Times
in
2,853 Posts
Sounds similar to this from 4 years ago: https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...n-problem.html
03-22-21, 12:44 PM
#4
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,977
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6187 Post(s)
Liked 4,803 Times
in
3,313 Posts
Do you use any cleaners or tire dressings on them when you clean your bike?
Be interesting to know between all those that have had issues and those that haven't if that's a common denominator. Though probably it's just a one off thing that happens every now and then.
Be interesting to know between all those that have had issues and those that haven't if that's a common denominator. Though probably it's just a one off thing that happens every now and then.
03-22-21, 12:59 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, that other thread is exactly my problem. Neither front tire was excessively old, maybe 18 months and 3000 miles. Old enough that I'm not too mad about replacing them, but I do wonder if others experience this, or if Continental would want to know. Actually the first time this happened, my LBS could not figure out the noise and it was only when I started swapping wheels and etc. that we found it. This time, I remembered the past experience.
No solvents or cleaners touch my tires. I always use the steel bead (non folding) FWIW.
I've also had some rear tires get this problem to a much greater degree (many of these bubbles) but they were nearing end of life anyway.
No solvents or cleaners touch my tires. I always use the steel bead (non folding) FWIW.
I've also had some rear tires get this problem to a much greater degree (many of these bubbles) but they were nearing end of life anyway.
03-22-21, 01:10 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I had a tire start to do that and I semi-retired it to trainer-only duty. Seemed to get more pronounced on the trainer actually.
03-22-21, 05:38 PM
#7
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,977
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6187 Post(s)
Liked 4,803 Times
in
3,313 Posts
I've ask them questions several times through their contact email three or four years ago and got answers real quick. One I ask last summer wasn't answered, but I'm giving them the excuse of COVID for not answering that one. Or just call them.
