wsgts

Well, have my first blowout. I was coming down an overpass, passing cars like I usually do, probably going 25 mph. Back tire hit something (probably medal it was in a construction area) and now has a huge hole in it now. Not repairable, the rear tire must be replaced.

I purchased these tires in July 2015 and have put approximately 3000 commuting miles on them, and this is the first flat I have encountered. I am a heavy rider (250 lbs) and load the back with 15 pounds of stuff for the office in an under seat bag (lunch, computer, change of clothes, layers, etc).

Model is:
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme HS 382 HD SpeedGuard Cross/Hybrid Bicycle Tire - Folding

After this type of usage, should I replace them both or just get another rear tire? I mainly was wondering if tires age due to age or sunlight?

T

prathmann

Sure there's some aging, but not significant in less than three years. Sounds like you were just unfortunate to hit something that was beyond the capability of the tire. Somewhat similarly, I went over something with my car while going through an underpass. I heard it clatter underneath the car and then one of the rear tires went flat instantly. The hole in the side was big enough to put my whole hand inside the tire. Got it replaced but sure didn't replace the other three which still had plenty of tread depth remaining.

The usual recommendation is to put the new tire on the front and move the old front one to the rear assuming there's still enough tread left on it. That way your best tire is always on the front

ThermionicScott 

Pictures, man!!

Dave Cutter

I'd replace them both. And also check the chain and brake pads. You might want to inspect the rear cogs if the chain is bad too. And three years without new grease is a while as well.

wsgts

[QUOTE=Dave Cutter;20168604]I'd replace them both. And also check the chain and brake pads. You might want to inspect the rear cogs if the chain is bad too. And three years without new grease is a while as well.[/QUOTE

You are totally correct, I just had a new chain, new cog, serviced hubs, and bottom bracket by the LBS. Didn't think about the tires, but they have been abused, I did notice that the reflective sidewalls are peeling off the back as well. Oh well, I guess it won't kill me to replace both of them, the model of tire is twice the price it was when I purchased it off amazon.

Pics forthcoming, poor me had to ride my Grand Prix today

T

MNBikeCommuter

I normally get three to four times the mileage out of the front tire. Given your rear wasn't worn to the point of replacement, I'd guess you have many thousands of miles left on the front. I'd just replace the rear. If you're paranoid, put the front on the rear and the new on the front. I've never felt the need.

rm -rf

When my rear tire is worn out and needs replacement, the front tire is still like new, barely worn at all. It would last a lot of years at that rate. But it does get nicks and cuts in the tread, and superficial cracking. That would add up over the tire life--maybe 6-10 years?

So I always move the old front tire to the back, and put the new one on the front.

(rear tires wear out much faster due to the rider's pedaling forces on the tire.)

Skipjacks

It depends a lot on how much the tires cost.

Typically I buy cheaper tires. Like $30 and under. If that's what I'm replacing, then yeah I'll swap both out just to be OCD about it.

If I'm ever running a more expensive set of tires, hell no. The front one stays on until it wears flat.

That's assuming the tread is the only problem of course. If there's any kind of cracking, dry rot, slices, etc in them that's a different story.

cdkarp

With the mileage you have on them best to replace both.

Dave Cutter

I always replace BOTH... then dispose of the more-worn rear tire. And set the front tire(s) aside. That way if I do have a catastrophe event that destroys a tire... I have a replacement readily available (I also keep tubes in my parts cabinet). And because I usually buy a particular tire.... I sometimes have a near new looking set I re-use on a project bike.

MNBikeCommuter

You're certainly free to do whatever you want and I won't complain. For me, it'd just be a waste of money to replace the front at the same time. Rather than keeping old tires kicking around looking for some action, I just stock up on new ones when they're on sale. No one needs to know this, but I also don't have a set replacement rule for cassettes, like every second or third chain, like many advertise here. If the new chain doesn't skip, the cassette stays on, for many chains.

Dave Cutter

I also anticipate use and buy ahead... and on sale as well. Someday... this planning ahead may catch-up with me and cost me my investment.... with no return. But meanwhile I use my Midwestern winter off-season to ready my bikes for uninterrupted seasonal use.

I guess I could find cheaper ways to cycle... if that was my goal. But I'd rather count and cut penny's from things I have to buy.... instead of the things I truly enjoy.

GamblerGORD53

I just looked that tire up and it's $63? Put a new tire on the back and ride, for sure in Florida.
3,000 miles is just broken in for my SMP tires. In 2014/5 I went on tour on a 120+ lb bike with 3 tires, front went 3,500 miles and rear 4,200. Still both on the bike, I rotated them at 5,500. They are up over 8,000, NO flats. Still good enough to ride to Vancouver this summer.

Most other crap brand tires, yah 3,000 is finished.

Abe_Froman

No reason whatsoever to replace the front. If the rear wasn't worn out when it was destroyed, you've got thousands and thousands of mile of tread left on the front.

IMO, if the front doesn't look worn much, leave it on, and put the new tire on the back. If it looks ~50% worn, I'd move the front to the back, and put the new one on the front.

3000 miles on commuting tires I don't think is very much at all. I had some Vittoria Randonneurs that must have had well over 10,000 miles on them. The rear was just showing some wear. The front could have passed for new.

pdlamb

+1


Take a look at the front tire before you replace it. My guess is it will barely show any wear. If it's looking thin (no tread, square profile, wear indicators missing) then you can replace it.

RubeRad

marathons should go way more than 3000 miles. Buy one, rotate front to back, and put the new one on the front (use the best traction for steering).

OR buy two, mount only one, and wait a few more years for the older tire to actually go bald and/or start flatting.

OR buy two, mount them both, keep the old as a ready spare and enjoy the look of two matching new tires.

CB HI

I put news tires on the rear. For this instance, if the front tire still looks good leave it on and put the new tire on the rear.

+1 on new front tire lasting much longer than new rear tire

katsup

I try to use consumables to their full extent (assuming there is no danger). I'd buy 1 new for the front and move front to rear.

wsgts

It's a pretty big cut in the center/sidewall of the tire. When I came through the area today, I was looking for the culprit. There was a lot of pieces of scrap metal in the bike lane, so I suspect one of those.

The "wetness" around the hole is actually the slime tube that went everywhere when it got cut, way too big a hole for slime.

wsgts

tyrion

+1

pdlamb

I was going to suggest looking for the cause of the blowout, but a slice like that is going to chew up any tire. Use up the good one (unless you chop it up, too). And it might be worth looking for an alternate route if there's scrap metal all over the place.

Darth Lefty 

My enthusiasm to try something different almost always comes up sooner than the tires wear out.

wsgts

I so hate to take the alternate route. The area that now has trash all over it is an area coming off of an overpass bridge onto a dedicated bike lane. Since I'm really heavy and going downhill, I pass a ton of cars which is deeply satisfying , tire issues notwithstanding . The more mature option would be to take the crosswalk before the area, but they had that torn up as well for construction. Or slow down and look for metal debris.

I just got the bike back together with two new tires, the previous front tire is on ready reserve now. Went with the Marathons (not supreme) this time, $37 bucks a tires. Also fixed a spoke I didn't realize it broke as well, apparently a harder impact that I realized.

CliffordK

The photo of the bad tire doesn't look too bad, other than the hole in the side.

Assuming the good tire has even more tread, then there would be no reason to toss it.

Where I put the new tire varies. If I'm lazy, just replace the one that went bad.

On the other hand, if the front is looking particularly battered, I might choose to move it to the back to grind off some rubber before replacing.

It never hurts to spend a few minutes picking out glass and debris from the tire before remounting.

It is not a bad idea to keep a spare tire in stock, but it doesn't have to be a battered tire ready for the bin.

If you like your old tires, get the same, but there also is no reason that the tires much match. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are running a bit under $50 online.

ItsJustMe

If the front is still in good shape, I'd leave it. I typically replace the rear twice for every front I replace.