megalowmatt

Noticed I had a slow leak at work yesterday and upon looking for the culprit found this gash in the tire. It wasn't the source of the puncture but because of the size it kind of surprised me.

Sorry about the bad picture and editing. The gash is ~1/2" long and 1/8" wide.

Thanks for looking!

daijoubu2k8

If it was just in the rubber, I might be tempted but would make a note to grab a new tire the next time I was in the bike shop. If it was through the casing, I would boot the tire and ride straight to the bike shop for a replacement. I've done such stupid things as ride a tire with a hole the size of a dime in it. Thank god for Mr. Tuffys!

MijnWraak

1/2" long? Order a replacement tire with free shipping (no real need to get it overnighted )

I doubt it'll cause any trouble in the short term. My rear tire is bubbled out about 1/4" and rubs against my fender, but it's still allowed me to get to school and work for the past 5 days thankfully! Schwalbe Marathon Plus's on the way

megalowmatt

Thanks. I'll probably order new tires soon.

I think I'm done with Panaracers. My first set of Pasela tourguards developed sidewall cracks and although customer service said it was cosmetic, they sent me a new pair of Ribmo's as replacement and they developed sidewall cracks within a couple months. I have also noticed 2 additional gashes similar to the one pictured....not sure if it's due to road hazards or if the cracks are just developing on their own.

MNBikeCommuter

Yeah, the key is what does it look like from the inside? And cutting with the cords vs across the cords makes a difference too. If it's not bulging, which you'd have noticed while riding, I'm guessing it's fine.

Ira B

On my commute there are several downhill runs fast enough that a blowout could easily prove fatal so I eyeball my tires before every ride. I would not ride that tire.

scoatw

I would put a fairly large tire patch on it from the inside and ride the heck out of it.

...you can call it your battle scar.

Andy_K 

+1

I got a pair of Ultremo R.1's last year and in under 200 miles something tore a chunk out of the front tire big enough that I could see the tube. I put a patch on the inside and filled the hole with Shoe Goo, and 1000 miles later they're still rolling great. I don't think your tire looks like it needs the goo -- maybe just a little rubber cement in the gash. I'd patch it and watch it for a couple of days to see if buldges. If it doesn't you should be fine.

Artkansas 

It all depends on the threads. If they are good, you don't need to panic, though you might be shopping for a good replacement.

MijnWraak

I jinxed myself, tire blew out at the end of my ride to work toady Last time I don't knock on wood!

Ira B

No other harm or damage I hope?

MijnWraak

Right as I heard the "pssssst" I hopped off and shouldered to the bike rack, so there shouldn't be any rim damage or anything. Tires are coming tomorrow (though, after some surfing around, the Marathon+'s don't seem to have the reviews I thought they did. )

Ira B

Glad your ok.
You can probably understand where I was coming from in Post #6.
Imagine that at 35 mph in the dark going down hill on a wet road.

MijnWraak

Absolutely. The past few days I've been riding the front brake going down big hills to school fearing this would happen. Was extremely lucky to have it happen while going 7 mph in a parking lot at work! Thanks for the kind words.

At least I'll be down on a good day - 98 degrees and really humid! Must find air conditioning

JeffS

I rode with a much larger gash than that for quite some time. Over time I started seeing more and more of the boot peeking through so I finally ditched it.

megalowmatt

Wow that stinks.

Maybe I'll give it some time and just patch it and ride...it's the rear tire so if there's a blowout I should have more control than if the front went. i just bought new wheels & tires for my road bike so I don't really feel like spending more money anyway.

Titmawz

Dude.. Please go and buy a new tire. Not woth saving a few bucks

nashcommguy

Where'd you get 'em? I'm all about 'no shipping'. Mine are finally starting to show wear.

LeeG

oh man, whatever happened to poor cyclists. Assuming the casing isn't cut wash it with alcohol then fill the gash with shoe goo, wipe excess off with edge of hard plastic card. Let dry for four days.

megalowmatt

Wow this thread got resurrected for some reason.

I am riding it as-is and keeping an eye on it. The shoe goo thing is a good idea, though.

lverhagen

In reference to this, sidewall cracks are truly cosmetic. They are caused by ozone degeneration that "dries" out the rubber and makes it less flexible. If you store you bike near anything with a large AC motor that is running a great deal of the time, this can be expected to happen. Just so long as the casing itself (the woven threads under the rubber) is intact, there shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers
lverhagen

bhop

I guess this is an old thread, but that gash looks like nothing to me. I've ridden with bigger gashes in my tires for months without issues. I only really replace my tire when the tread's gone or if the gash/tear is in the sidewall.