I got a flat today and swapped in a new tube, but I’m not sure about the tire itself (pic attached). The cut looks a bit deep — is it still safe to ride on, or should I replace the tire altogether?
by GimliQC
I got a flat today and swapped in a new tube, but I’m not sure about the tire itself (pic attached). The cut looks a bit deep — is it still safe to ride on, or should I replace the tire altogether?
by GimliQC
7 Comments
Try glueing it with a tyre repair patch, if it doesn’t bother you too much.
Might be alright (as in, if you put in a repaired tube it wouldn’t just rip apart!), however it might be a place where grit and bits of glass etc may gather in future.
Depends on your appetite for risk… I would probably try and glue the slit back together without super glue, and put some gaffa tape on the inside, and see how it goes. I’ve had similar cuts that have been fine for a long time.
If you’re doing very long rides well away from any point of rescue, then I’d probably replace the tyre. If you’re doing local commuting etc. then I say repair and keep it.
If the cut got through the carcass thread of the tyre which gives it strength, the cut will enlarge with pressure from the tube. Happened to me once, small cut became long until the tube was outside the tyre and rubbing against the fork. Tyre was gone, not sure if glue would have helped, but I didn’t want to risk it.
If it were mine, I would use a repair kit patch on the inside of the tyre when I get home then keep riding it.
I ride tires like that until they are covered with similar cuts. I mostly looks for tread wear. There are some dots on the tire somewhere. Check that they are still visible.
You can plug that as much as you can but the fact of the matter is over time dirt is going to find its way in and eventually puncture the tube. Nice new tires are always fun anyway.
You could stitch and glue if you need to get by for a while, but you’ll save more time and hassle by replacing this before you puncture again.