Is 'scrubbing in' new tyres still a thing?

[mckeann]

No release agent doesn’t mean a tyre still doesn’t need scrubbed in.

Just slowly increase pace and lean angle over the space of 10 miles. With track tyres, you can do that in 2-3 miles, but you have the advantage of 90degC tyre warmers

[redback911]

Biker's Nemesis said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9zNUPDmnz4

Watched the first few seconds and knew what was going to happen, still made my cringe. I guess its probably down to some history of my own. Picked up my RGV 250 in 1993, it was in the shop being painted in Lucky Strike colors. A muppet in the shop decided it would look even better with back to black tyre shine, except he sprayed the entire tyre including the center tread. I went down at the first mini roundabout. How I laughed - 25 years later. :-)

[Chris32345]

Don't ride like an idiot you won't have to worry then

[FK]

Yes scrubbing in is sort of still a thing...

Modern tyres are better though, and Continental were mentioning that some of their sports tyres don't need to be scrubbed in at all.

Personally, I would take it easy for the first 50 or so miles. Seen a few embarrassing accidents from riders who thought they knew better

[boxedin]

Michelin stopped using releasing agent years ago, within 5 miles and having corrected the pressures from where the fitter had them. All was well, the following 100 miles were always superb.

Never had a 'moment' on new tyres and would be changing tyres three times a year.

<shrug>

However, right now Randy de Puniet may disagree with me.

[Disastrous]

Mildly related, but do bike tyres ‘go off’?

I’ve got a pair on my Aprilia that were there when I bought the thing, so at least 4 years old. I don’t do many miles on it though, so they are still absolutely fine from a tread/wear perspective...I just sometimes feel that they feel a bit slippy but not sure whether it’s just my imagination or not.

Presumably if they’re otherwise ok, age doesn’t really matter?

[Zakalwe]

They do degrade over time, there’s plenty of resources you can google for information on tyre degradation. UV light, water permeation, temperature fluctuations and oxidisation will continue the vulcanisation process “dry out” the rubber and lead to less supple tyres and cracked surfaces. Storing your bike indoors will slow the aging process as the tyres compared to being outside for obvious reasons, at 4 years old you’re supposed to start thinking about checking them regularly but they can be fine for double that with the right care

[black-k1]

Why would you not scrub your tyres in by taking it gently for first 5 to 10 miles? The risks of finding out that they should have been scrubbed in are pretty significant.

[Ho Lee Kau]

EazyDuz said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

There are no releasing agents in modern tires.

Do you have a source for that which proves for all brands?

I don't, but I do not buy all brands, and the main competitors do not have release agents in tires.

[EazyDuz]

Disastrous said:

Mildly related, but do bike tyres ‘go off’?

I’ve got a pair on my Aprilia that were there when I bought the thing, so at least 4 years old. I don’t do many miles on it though, so they are still absolutely fine from a tread/wear perspective...I just sometimes feel that they feel a bit slippy but not sure whether it’s just my imagination or not.

Presumably if they’re otherwise ok, age doesn’t really matter?

They do. These are my 9 year old tyres which started this whole thread because I need to get them replaced ASAP



Note the cracks in the tread. The rubber also seems way too firm. Even on the motorway for an hour the tyres never get very hot and you can barely leave a finger nail imprint in the rubber (should be tacky almost like chewing gum).

[neutral 3]

I had a big off in a TVR a few years ago, due to old Uniroyals. No visible cracks in them.

[robinh73]

With tyres on the race bike, no matter what they were (wets, inters or full on dry from any manufacturer), it was just giving it all from the word go. No chance to scrub in and never had any moments on them at all.

[RemyMartin81D]

The whole 'feeling' things isn't helped but a fresh set of tyres turning and dropping in fast compared to squared off ones. I never got used to that and it took easy for quite a while to let my head get used to the sensation again.

[wiliferus]

scorcher said:

Michelin and continental seem good from the off. The Metzelers I tried were awful for about 100miles

Brilliant. Guess who’s getting a set of Metzelers fitted in 10 days

[bogie]

wiliferus said:

scorcher said:

Michelin and continental seem good from the off. The Metzelers I tried were awful for about 100miles

Brilliant. Guess who’s getting a set of Metzelers fitted in 10 days

Im getting through a set of Metzelers every year on one bike for the last 7 years and never had an issue, even picking up in the rain. Just take it easy for 5-10 miles on the way home.

[Zarco]

RemyMartin81D said:

The whole 'feeling' things isn't helped but a fresh set of tyres turning and dropping in fast compared to squared off ones. I never got used to that and it took easy for quite a while to let my head get used to the sensation again.

That's a good point.

[Don Roque]

I'm looking at getting some Metzler M77R's fitted on my T595 soon, anyone know what they're like fresh on?

[crofty1984]

For the sake of taking it easy for 100 miles, I don't mind scrubbing tyres in, whether it's technically needed or not.

[Zarco]

100miles?!

[Pothole]

Zarco said:

100miles?!

Easy enough to do taking the long way home from the tyre fitters. I know some of you boys only do 37 miles between MOTs but 100 miles is less than 3 days commute for me.