wesgreen

I've been using Schwalbe tires forever for their reliability. That's why I was so shocked when a brand new Big Apple 20x2.0 (after being securely stored for 5 years in an airtight trash bag), developed long cracks in three spots, right along the center line of the tread, after being inflated correctly and ridden for the first time. It looks as if the rubber casing couldn't cope with the tire pressure. You can see the yellow protective layer through the cracks.
Has this ever happened to anyone else? Hate to throw away a $35 tire, but I guess I have to take it off to avoid a flat, at some point sooner rather than later.

BruceMetras

Contact Schwalbe ... take a picture of the production numbers on the inside of the tire and send with explanation.. I've received warranty Schwalbe tires in the past.

wesgreen

Thanks, I'll try that.

berlinonaut

Honestly? At this age it may be not a desireable situation but I would personally by no means ask for warranty after such a long time.

BruceMetras

I didn't say ask for a warranty.. I said take a picture of the production data on the inside of the tire and send with an explanation of what transpired.. Schwalbe can evaluate.. Perhaps there were production issues in the batch. If nothing else it is data for Schwalbe to log..

wesgreen

Filled out a warranty claim on their website today, with photos. It seems like a long shot, but we'll see. First time this happened to me, and I've often bought a few tires at a time. This one was from a different batch, I recall. I don't have a receipt anymore and don't recall where I bought it, but it looks like a clear case of product failure. I hope their quality isn't slipping! I read somewhere that Schwalbe stated their tires could be stored up to 5 years before use.

Bonzo Banana

I had some Schwalbe Marathon's or possibly City Jets but can't remember which. They were gumwall/skinwall and so found the sidewalls aged/wore badly compared to even cheap tyres because I'm a heavy rider. I think adding silicon and carbon black to rubber not only makes the tyres harder wearing but adds UV resistance too. The cheap tyres seem to continue using the same thicker tread material for the their thicker, heavier sidewalls with the same rubber/silicon/carbon black compound. If you want heavy duty long life tyres look at the bicycles of Africa which have basic tyres nothing fancy, if you want light weight performance tyres with a shorter shelf life then Schwalbe provide such tyres. Some Schwalbes are probably ideal for people who put in high miles in a short amount of time so the tread is worn out before anything else fails. I don't like thin sidewalls (skinwalls) or gumwalls (natural rubber without or less of the silicon and carbon black). I just think like most things in cycling when you are making something lighter for performance there is often a sacrifice unless you throw so much money at it you can make something actually lighter and stronger and more long lasting. The big apples don't look like they have a gum wall but the description reads as quite light weight so wouldn't surprise me if they have effectively a skinwall sidewall as I think that is common to many Schwalbe tyres. I think I've read some forum posts where Schwalbe customer service has been excellent and replaced such tyres but it wouldn't surprise me if the cracking is perfectly normally for those tyres stored like that. Other tyres in the same circumstances may not have had a problem.

wesgreen

Schwalbe got back to me within three business days. Their warranty rep wrote:
" I’m wondering if the duration of storage had dried the tire a bit causing this split. In any case, it’s not normal or something we see often."
He sent me a coupon for a free tire, with free shipping.
I store my spare tubes and tires in closed plastic bags to slow the drying - out process (in an apt., so no climate extremes). It's worked for me until now. Having been kept in a closed plastic bag, the rubber doesn't look dried out to me, but rather brand new. But I'm wondering if some chemical reaction could happen, in an airtight enclosure, that would affect the rubber negatively. Anyway, I'm impressed with how this was handled by Schwalbe.
Thanks for the great idea, Bruce!

Tamiya

rumrunn6

you don't get what you don't ask for. well done

tds101 

I'm so glad you took Bruce's advice. And I'm also glad Schwalbe took care of the problem.