Noticed this today when moving my stuff around – I was feeling a weird bumping sensation at slow speed, now I know what's causing it!

I've ordered a replacement tyre but because decently priced WTB Horizons are like hen's teeth it won't be arriving for a few weeks.

How screwed am I if I carry on commuting on this in the meantime? Is it likely to blow up and throw me into traffic?

Are there any temp fixes I can use in the meantime to reduce the risk (lower/higher pressure, tape, etc) or should I just drive to work instead?

(It's a tubeless tyre but I have a tube in it)

by cassesque

Share.

28 Comments

  1. I’d line the inside with duct tape and probably the outside too. IF I HAD TO RIDE this would get me through.

  2. automotive-aide on

    Very sketchy. I would not ride on that and expect to make it anywhere without 1-9 flats. At a minimum line it with duct tape, but I would be ubering.

  3. Accomplished-Eye4606 on

    Wouldn’t ride on it. It’s vulnerable to fail in another spot even if you reinforce the inside in that spot.

  4. RealityEfficient1569 on

    I have thrown better junk away
    Bring cab fare
    Wear your helmet

  5. AGuyAtWork437 on

    On a scale of 1-10, that ranks about 900! Toss it – your teeth will thank you.

  6. brlikethecar on

    Just buy a tire at a bike shop and change it today. Don’t wait for this to fail.

  7. In an emergency, or just juz, slip a folded one dollar bill inside. This will distribute the force of the tube around the tear. I would not try tape, too stretchy.
    Good luck.

  8. anynameisfinejeez on

    It’s bad. Those strands in the casing are what holds the tire together. If they’re cut to that extent, I would expect the tire to fail.

  9. Check for a used tire at second hand sports store or a bike shop. Use that until your replacement arrives.

  10. Zero_Waist on

    You can make a “boot” out of a folded up dollar bill. Fold it enough times, 3-4 to get a nice thick (but not too thick) size that fully covers the slice in the sidewall.

    Deflate the tire, unseat it above the slice and place the boot in between the tube and tire. It will keep the tube from failing for your ride home. I have seen this fix actually work for way too long, probably 100’s of miles.

  11. There is no structural integrity left there. Bump in the wrong place at the right speed and that’s a blowout.

  12. StillWithSteelBikes on

    If you can’t replace right away, remove the tube, put a folded dollar bill over the hole and reinstall the tube

  13. perbrondum on

    Busted sidewall could cause a wreck as the tire will crumble and throw you off the bike. I ended up with 3 cracked ribs when it happened to me. Replace it immediately.

  14. OMG that looks HoRrIbLe! You need a new bike 🙂

    ![gif](giphy|wg4y5TWOFXN3a)

  15. That’s what mine looked like when it was tossing flats every couple miles. I’d replace it

  16. As others have said: that’s bad. If you insist on riding it until your new tyres come in make sure to run it on the **back wheel**. Whatever you do don’t run that on the front.

  17. abercrombezie on

    Very high likihood of the tube poking through and popping. During a ride, I’ve removed a tire and placed a dollar at the sidewall to keep the tube inside then completed the ride. After getting home, ordered a park tool boot and stuck it on the inside.

  18. niffcreature on

    Omg, so much less sketchy than my tires I think… Although, it kind of looks like the casing is torn underneath the visible tear. I don’t think my tires have that bump. I’m surprised you can feel it though, what’s your tire clearance like? Are you sure you’re not feeling it rubbing on your frame?

  19. toaster404 on

    What size? I have an extra 650B x 47 Horizon I’m not going to use. The other one of the pair ended up with a huge gouge, and a potential of going the way of yours! So there are Maxxis Ramblers on the bike now. DM

Leave A Reply