Tyre Question - are they trashed?

cython

Right, so not quite the usual question of what tyre, and to be honest it's a question that I'm afraid I probably know the answer to before I ask it. Basically i noticed today that both of my Conti Grand Prix tyres seem to have developed a split pretty much all the way around the sidewall. It's not a very large split, but I'm well aware that any weakness can be very dodgy when trying to hold back up to 120psi, and nobody wants a blowout, especially not at speed. I've checked all the usual such as brake blocks or any other part rubbing, but even if this was the cause I'd consider myself unlucky to develop the issue on both sides of both the front and back tyres.

I've attached a picture of the split below, as well as the contact surface of the tyre to show how little wear there is on them for this to develop. I only bought the tyres earlier this year, and fitted them in mid March. Since then I probably haven't even put up 1000km on them (to and from Galway, a couple of spins since then, and occasional commuting), so they should not be anywhere close to worn out, and I've only ever inflated them to near the maximum rating (120psi), never over.

So, in essence, my question is, are these tyres for the bin? And if so, since they are both new enough and with reasonably little mileage on them, am I likely to have any recourse with Bike24 who I bought them from? Surely this isn't reasonable wear and tear in this space of time, and with so little distance on them. I have a third tyre that I bought a the same time as a spare/replacement for down the line, but if it's destined to the same fate I might not bother using it.

Split in sidewall:


Contact/tread surface:


Cheers Guys!

Jovetic

Get some Gatorskins

cython

Jovetic wrote: »

Get some Gatorskins

I actually had a gatorskin on the back prior to this set (still have it in the press as it wasn't worn out by any stretch), but from what I've seen online even gators seem to be prone to this type of problem in some instances/batches. This is the exact tyre in 24c that I have had this problem with, and given that it has happened on two bought at the same time I'm inclined to think it might be a manufacturing flaw.

To be honest I had bought these with a view to doing more mileage this year and wanting a "softer" riding tyre than the gators, given that they have a reputation for being a bit too stiff due to the reinforced sidewall, but that didn't really materialise.

cython

Hi folks, just giving this a little bit of a bump in case anybody who missed the original post (given it's timing) can offer any more advice today. I'll let it die after this and scrap them if nobody can offer any more.

Lumen

I don't think the rubber adds any structural integrity - that comes from the carcass underneath.

Maybe have a look inside the tyre and send pics to Continental customer service or whoever you bought them from (or obviously if it's a local shop take them in).

If it's a manufacturing defect you should get replacements.

cython

Lumen wrote: »

I don't think the rubber adds any structural integrity - that comes from the carcass underneath.

Maybe have a look inside the tyre and send pics to Continental customer service or whoever you bought them from (or obviously if it's a local shop take them in).

If it's a manufacturing defect you should get replacements.

Cheers Lumen. Gonna take them off when I get home this evening and take a look. I figured it would be the carcass and threads giving the tyre its strength and integrity, but would also be concerned that there might be a failure or wear within that which this damage just indicates the beginnings of. Were that to suddenly give more or suddenly I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be on the bike when it happened, and there do seem to be accounts online of contis developing such splits

lukemv

I got something similar once. Turned out it was because there were little, how would you put it, cracks or cuts on the rim, not only causing this but also punctures. Mine was an Alu rim so just got out some good old 120 (sandpaper to some and sanded it down. Thats my only experience mate. Also Schwalbe Duranos for training & ULtremo ZLX for racing, swear by them!! I had Gatorshins & they were c*** and have bought a few continental tubes and they dont last as long as even those cheapy ones off CRC. stay away from Conti!! well i do anyway