Schwalbe Ultremo R tyres defect

unionman

Just received this message from Wiggle:

Dear unionman,

You have recently bought some Schwalbe Ultremo R tyres from us. Schwalbe have found some tyres to be defective and have issued a Defect Notice. Schwalbe have not yet recalled these tyres, they are still trying to determine affected batch numbers.

We only have the following information at the moment:

Any affected tyres will show obvious bulging in the first 50 - 100 miles and you should stop using them immediately. You can find instructions here to get replacements sent directly by Schwalbe.

Of course you can also return any affected tyres to us and we will handle the return for you. We are not happy that the only way of telling if you have a faulty tyre is to ride it and see if it breaks. We suggest you stop using them completely for the moment. As soon as Schwalbe are able to give us the affected batch numbers we will contact you again so you can check your tyres without having to ride them!

Thank you.

Wiggle

Having completed 480km with the Ultremo tyre (rear only, Stelvio tyre on the front) I am assuming it isn't faulty. I was talking to the Tax Man on Sunday about Ultremo's and he had a fairly massive blow out with one, but don't know how long ago.

If anyone else bought one from Wiggle recently I'm assuming they will have got this notice, but if you bought from LBS you might not have heard.

lukester

Have been planning on getting some of these. At least Wiggle's stock will be the defect-free ones.

penexpers

unionman wrote: »

Just received this message from Wiggle:



Having completed 480km with the Ultremo tyre (rear only, Stelvio tyre on the front) I am assuming it isn't faulty. I was talking to the Tax Man on Sunday about Ultremo's and he had a fairly massive blow out with one, but don't know how long ago.

If anyone else bought one from Wiggle recently I'm assuming they will have got this notice, but if you bought from LBS you might not have heard.

That's odd coming from Wiggle. There was a recall notice issued in the US for these tires and Schwalbe were able to give batch numbers.

blorg

I've had blowouts with Ultremos, but with Stelvios and Gatorskins too. This problem sounds like it is specific to the new "R" version and indeed just particular batches. Not good though. Tiny has Ultremo Rs as well (as they came in pink.)

blorg

penexpers wrote: »

That's odd coming from Wiggle. There was a recall notice issued in the US for these tires and Schwalbe were able to give batch numbers.

The US Replacement Notice asks for a photo of the bulge to get your replacement. Same story with the European one. Doesn't seem like the best way to handle it all right.

TinyExplosions

I have the R's, and had the defect on the rear tyre at the Mount Leinster event. Put it down to a dodgy tyre or tube, changed it and threw it out, only to read of the recall a few days later, at which stage it was long gone to landfill

My one died on it's first proper spin, so if you did the 200 and they're grand, I'd say that you're alright.

Note, mine bulged, but didn't blow

TinyExplosions

blorg wrote: »

The US Replacement Notice asks for a photo of the bulge to get your replacement. Same story with the European one. Doesn't seem like the best way to handle it all right.

I'm guessing it's to save the hassle of having tyres sent back and checking them themselves, as when the tyre's deflated, you don't notice the bulge. I think a photo is grand personally

AstraMonti

I got the email too.. Unfortunately i can't try the tyres yet.. i am waiting for a long time to get this bike together.. and if the tyres fail too i ll just bite someone! (no, not you tiny )

blorg

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I'm guessing it's to save the hassle of having tyres sent back and checking them themselves, as when the tyre's deflated, you don't notice the bulge. I think a photo is grand personally

I think it's a bit much that they expect you to cycle around on a potentially defective product until it either fails or doesn't - I think that is what people are taking issue with.

The tax man

Think my failure was down to something sharp on the road. Couldn't even tell you if I noticed anything else unusual about the tyre as I binned it straight away in disgust. That was back in April btw.

blorg

I have had bulges in my normal (non-R) Ultremos but only after many thousand km when I would consider the tyre had worn- I was happy with the mileage I had got out of them at that point.