I commute everywhere with my bike everyday for background; I bought it off the shelf at Walmart 2-3 months ago and only had to replace both punctured tubes once. 2 days ago, I got finished with my work shift and found out the back tire was slashed open and so was the tube (I use Slime brand btw that's what the green goo is). I am still confused on what happened, I swear I did not run anything sharp over, everything was fine when I parked it before work. Is it normal for tires to suddenly wear and tear open or do someone out there has it for me?
by Lord-Zaltus
21 Comments
Unfortunately, your answer may be “WalMart bike”. Two punctures in that short of time is a lot if you have decent tires
Kinda does look like someone cut it. Even if your tire was deteriorated, it wouldn’t also burst the tube like that.
If you look at the tire wall, it already has some cracks in it. The pressure can change if the temperature outside rises or falls, and when old tires burst, they often do it just like that… had one cheap tire pop while I was riding, it looked exactly like it was slashed open.
That looks more like a sidewall failure due to dry rot than a tire that was cut.
Dry rot
Look to the right of the “slash”. This tire was ready for replacement a couple years ago.
For what it’s worth, if you get replacement tires at a bike shop (replace them both!) they’ll probably last a lot longer than the bottom-of-the-line mart bike stock tires. And some other advantages like a smoother and faster ride.
When you fix this, don’t buy slime tubes. Buy regular tubes and put half a bottle of Stans tubeless sealant in the tube via the nozzle (you’ll have to remove the core first). It will last a lot longer and be much much more resistant to punctures. The slime barely works if at all.
I used to ride that way on desert trails in AZ and they would survive hundreds of punctures. I wouldn’t even know until I replaced the tires and felt inside.
I’m surprised you got two punctures in a couple months from new. Could be vandalism, but i also think could be low quality or very old tyres.
look for some commuter tyres that have puncture resistance layers, you will find the riding much more reliable!
to bad about the tube but it was time for a new tire a while ago
Thats a cheap tyre that has burst due to cheap manufacture or old age ( been on the shelf for a long time) or damage from under inflation. I doubt its been slashed. Id Buy a Schwalbe Marathon greenguard & have hassle free commuting for the next couple of years. https://www.schwalbetires.com/Green-Marathon-11159407 Cheaper & sometimes on special online & lots of sizes. This is the gold standard for cycle touring $$$ vs longevity.
Stan in tubes is the way. 60ml per tube= hassle free cycling
Bro those tires look like made in pre ww2
not random
Don’t buy shit from Walmart if you want it to be reasonable quality
How old are those tires? The tread is obviously worn thin and the sidewalls have a bad case of dry rot.
That tire is not a couple of months old, it’s dry-rotted. Is it split due to this and the tube couldn’t take the pressure without the external support of the tire and split also.
Looks like a knife stab. I think someone is mad at your bike!! Anyone upset at you?
Could just be an upset individual taking out their anger on your bike?
That sucks, sorry that happened.
Not always you pack a bike only come and find it punctured. This has never happened to me. Could be a person, don’t overlook it.
That tire looks pretty cooked. I’d replace it with some schwalbe marathons and as others have said, regular tubes but add stan’s sealant. Slime will leak with all but the tiniest puncture.
See if you can find puncture resistant tires in your size. Specialized armadillo or H2 hardcase or something similar. They will save you money in tubes and flats.