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Should I be worried about these tiny divots in my front tire?

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Should I be worried about these tiny divots in my front tire?

Old 08-16-19, 09:54 AM
  #1  
bugs11
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Should I be worried about these tiny divots in my front tire?

They look like manufacturing defects to me, bubbles in the rubber. Tire is on a new bike with around 1200-1300 miles on it.

Is there any substance I could fill in the divots with?


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Old 08-16-19, 09:55 AM
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Wear indicators. Worry about them once you can't see them, time to replace.
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Old 08-16-19, 09:57 AM
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Those aren't defects they are "wear indicators" when the tire wears and they disappear there is very little material left.
West
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Old 08-16-19, 10:10 AM
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bugs11
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Learn something every day.

https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/tread-wear
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Old 08-16-19, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by bugs11
Learn something every day.

https://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/tread-wear
Perfect example of a simple question not being a stupid question--I watch my wear indicators obsessively because of the numbers of miles I put on distributed between three bikes, but now I wonder how many people don't know what they're for.

You may have performed a valuable service for worried google searchers everywhere.
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Old 08-20-19, 05:14 PM
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Worry if they disappear.
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Old 08-20-19, 06:46 PM
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Mine disappeared almost a month ago on my road bike, and keep forgetting to get a new pair. Thanks for the reminder !
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Old 08-20-19, 11:28 PM
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Ditto, handy wear indicators on most Conti tires -- my three sets of Ultra Sport II, and a new set of Grand Prix Classic skinwalls. The Conti tires I've been using for three years on three bikes are so durable it'll be awhile before those wear indicators disappear. The SpeedRide tires don't have the wear indicator dimples, but wear to the file tread serves the same purpose.

At first I was worried tiny pebbles might be trapped in the wear indicator dimples and cause a flat. It never happened. Nothing to worry about.
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Old 08-21-19, 07:11 AM
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When wear indicators go missing do they end up on milk cartons like baby bike bolts do?

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ng-temper.html
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Old 08-21-19, 10:27 AM
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Oh no! You got defective tires that used carbon, in the form of carbon black, as a component of the rubber in the tread. The holes mean the tire is getting ready to asplode! You can send them to me for proper disposal.

You're welcome.
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Old 08-21-19, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
When wear indicators go missing do they end up on milk cartons like baby bike bolts do?

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ng-temper.html
RIP yet another entertaining thread prematurely locked before its time...
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Old 08-21-19, 10:35 AM
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Since the OP has gotten his/her question answered definitively, we can now commence with the silly answers.

I use them to store sesame seeds in case of an acute fat/protein deficiency. Also handy for smuggling microfilmed documents if you're a 1960s superspy.
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Old 08-21-19, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
Since the OP has gotten his/her question answered definitively, we can now commence with the silly answers.

I use them to store sesame seeds in case of an acute fat/protein deficiency. Also handy for smuggling microfilmed documents if you're a 1960s superspy.
You are on the right track. They are actually camera lens holes, sending video feed back to Conti.
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Old 08-21-19, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 55murray
You are on the right track. They are actually camera lens holes, sending video feed back to Conti.
Half right--one of them is actually for a microphone.
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Old 08-21-19, 12:21 PM
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Those aren't weight weenie holes? Drillium?

Next step - hundreds of those holes

Then - no tread at all, Think of the weight savings (and it is rotating weight).

You heard it here first. Ben
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Old 08-21-19, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
Those aren't weight weenie holes? Drillium?

Next step - hundreds of those holes

Then - no tread at all, Think of the weight savings (and it is rotating weight).

You heard it here first. Ben
It's not for weight, it's aerodynamics:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/a...es-in-golf-ba/
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Old 08-21-19, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
Those aren't weight weenie holes? Drillium?

Next step - hundreds of those holes

Then - no tread at all, Think of the weight savings (and it is rotating weight).

You heard it here first. Ben
Been done:

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Old 08-21-19, 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Wear indicators. Worry about them once you can't see them, time to replace.
I've never ridden tires with those wear indicators. Never saw the need. I find seeing the casing works quite well and furthermore, the casing is a sign, unlike trying to notice that a sign is no longer there.

Of the KISS club.

Ben
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Old 08-21-19, 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 79pmooney
I've never ridden tires with those wear indicators. Never saw the need. I find seeing the casing works quite well and furthermore, the casing is a sign, unlike trying to notice that a sign is no longer there.

Of the KISS club.

Ben
Good for you. It totally addresses the OP's concern.
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