Are These Skinwalls Safe to Ride? (Sidewall Cracks)
06-15-21, 04:33 PM
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Are These Skinwalls Safe to Ride? (Sidewall Cracks)
I was planning on going for a ride today, but my sidewalls look sketchy. These are cheapo Kenda K35s, so if they need to be replaced, it's an excuse to upgrade. Are these compromised, or are skinwall cracks not a huge problem?
I can peel this one out like this.
I can peel this one out like this.
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06-15-21, 04:53 PM
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Not safe.
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06-15-21, 04:54 PM
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06-15-21, 04:56 PM
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I wouldn't even inflate them.
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06-15-21, 05:00 PM
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I've had good luck with 27" Gatorskins.
I consider Kendas, Vittoria Zaffirro's and the like 1 year tires. Mine always got cracks in the rubber after 1 season.
Biketiresdirect.com has good pricing and service.
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06-15-21, 05:03 PM
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I bought some used gumwall Vittorias some time ago and noticed a slice on the sidewall a few days later. It was smaller than what ur pictures show and within a week the tire split open.
I'd say get some new tires..
I'd say get some new tires..
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06-15-21, 05:29 PM
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+1 to Panaracer. 27" tire options are limited, but Panaracers are a great, affordable option. I'm not sure if this is the right terminology, but I think of Panaracer sidewalls as "tanwalls" vs. "gumwalls". They are not as rubbery as the Kendas. Get the wire bead version if your rims don't have hooks on the inside.
And no, I would not ride those cracked Kenda tires either.
And no, I would not ride those cracked Kenda tires either.
06-15-21, 05:30 PM
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Looks like the kind of tire damage that can happen if a bike rack on the back of a car puts a tire too near the exhaust pipe.
If that's what happened, be sure to adjust the rack straps accordingly or the same will happen with the new tires.
If that's what happened, be sure to adjust the rack straps accordingly or the same will happen with the new tires.
06-15-21, 05:40 PM
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Depends on the ride and what you are planning to do. On the sidewall, I wouldn't be afraid to take it for a spin but I wouldn't go flying at top speed downhill. The threads are what holds the tire together and that rubber protects the threads. These Schwinn Records are on a bike I have yet to overhaul but I like to take it for spins through the neighborhood. Notice they are skin-wall and not gum-wall and have hardly any rubber on the sidewalls anyway. At a sane speed riding with my grandson, the worst that will happen is calling my wife to pick me up, or I would ruck it a few blocks back to the house. I won't ride this bike out on the roads yet with these tires though.
But do plan on replacing your tire.
But do plan on replacing your tire.
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06-15-21, 09:40 PM
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06-15-21, 11:07 PM
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