I just got a wheelset and they came with vittoria zaffrino pro tires on them. Would you say these are just starting to wear or beyond usable?
by ccphilly1984
I just got a wheelset and they came with vittoria zaffrino pro tires on them. Would you say these are just starting to wear or beyond usable?
by ccphilly1984
9 Comments
cracking side walls are always a bit sketchy. My vote is to replace them.
I personally would keep riding them, but it is a good opportunity to buy a new pair of your favorite tires.
This is nothing, it can still ride fine. These crackings are not deep to the ply. They could be a sign of aging but also of exposure to sun.
Look for new tires and keep an eye on these as you ride.
If your more than the occasionally Sunday cruiser I’d replace these.
Relax no problem here. A lot of tires get this. I’ve used zaffiros for a while and they also had it, as well as many others. The rubber isn’t what’s holding the tyre together, it’s the ply underneath. Change the tyre when the tread seems too thin and/or you feel like grip is a problem
Is there something you can put on the sidewalls to prevent this?
I’m going to check Google.
(E: Nope, happens when the tire is exposed ro sun or ozone)
The tire tread is not pictured, so cannot judge. The sidewall cracks are definitely concerning.
Probably okay to ride while you go looking for new tires but definitely a moderate risk of sidewall blowout if you maintain higher tire pressures or run lower pressure that flexes these sidewalls a lot (basically: a risk in any situation). Replace these soon.
I’m more concerned about the wheel in the photo than the tire. The rim is showing significant wear due to braking. You should have the rim checked out, just to make sure that it’s not worn to the point where it’s no longer safe to ride.