Tyre cracking advice
Author
Discussion

Plymo

Original Poster:

1,277 posts

119 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
I noticed the front tyre on my bike has these fine cracks in it on the sidewall - closer to the rim than the tread. Doesn't have any cracking on the tread.
Do they look alright to use? Is there a way to check how deep they are (wondering whether it could be just cosmetic?)

My local bike shop is very shut at the moment so no joy there, I have emailed the manufacturer but they just said to contact the supplier of the tyre, and that they don't deal with customers directly.
It was bought from somewhere a long way away from here, and they're also shut.

They're stamped 22/15 and the bike has always been kept undercover. Avon AM26 roadrider



Charliecloud

308 posts

227 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Bin them - all between the road and you is the tyres.

Jazoli

9,681 posts

280 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Yup they are knackered and should be changed asap, plenty of bike shops still open.

MrGman

1,667 posts

236 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
If it was my bike I use to commute that I just bumble about on I wouldn’t worry, it it was on my weekend bike which I tend to ride a bit quicker I’d be changing them, though I’m pretty sure they would be fine, piece of mind though.

zzrman

670 posts

219 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Christ, how old are those tyres? yikes

Plymo

Original Poster:

1,277 posts

119 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
zzrman said:
Christ, how old are those tyres? yikes
Almost exactly 5 years... And only fitted for 4!
My old BSA came with tyres from 2002 that looked ok (I changed them anyway!) And I've had cars with tyres 8 years old, and kept outside that haven't ended up looking like that

Drezza

1,471 posts

84 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
zzrman said:
Christ, how old are those tyres? yikes
If the date code is "2215". Then the 22nd week of 2015 smile

milkround

1,371 posts

109 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Tbh if it were my car or bike I'd change them. Tyres last long enough and not that expensive.

But if I tried defecting a lorry with tyres like that I'd be laughed out of a transport office. Allegedly they are good for 10 years on all axles.

So I'd say they will probably be okay. But the performance wont be as good as the rubber is going hard. So id change them anyway.

CousinDupree

818 posts

97 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
That is strange. I have a few pairs of the same tyres and no cracking at all.

I wonder how they were stored before you got them.

For the bin, for sure.

catso

16,527 posts

297 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Plymo said:
zzrman said:
Christ, how old are those tyres? yikes
Almost exactly 5 years... And only fitted for 4!
My old BSA came with tyres from 2002 that looked ok (I changed them anyway!) And I've had cars with tyres 8 years old, and kept outside that haven't ended up looking like that
Yes they look knacked to me but at 5 years old I wouldn't have expected cracking like that unless they've been stored 'badly'?

I've got the old wheels off my 916 in the workshop, been sitting around for well over 10 years and the tyres fitted to them are still visually in good nick with no cracking....

Plymo

Original Poster:

1,277 posts

119 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
catso said:
Plymo said:
zzrman said:
Christ, how old are those tyres? yikes
Almost exactly 5 years... And only fitted for 4!
My old BSA came with tyres from 2002 that looked ok (I changed them anyway!) And I've had cars with tyres 8 years old, and kept outside that haven't ended up looking like that
Yes they look knacked to me but at 5 years old I wouldn't have expected cracking like that unless they've been stored 'badly'?

I've got the old wheels off my 916 in the workshop, been sitting around for well over 10 years and the tyres fitted to them are still visually in good nick with no cracking....
It does look like they are for the bin... It will be a while anyway as I'm having engine trouble.
They have been kept out of the sun and at proper pressures - so they must be just duff tyres.
Looking on a few forums, people have been having issues like this with these tyres though.

It also looks like Avon have been reluctant to help anyone either, except in the US where they are apparently very good.

norlio

17 posts

77 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Four years use from a set of tyres is pretty good going. I don’t think I’d be getting upset that they were starting to degrade five years after they were made.

How many miles have you done on them? If lots, then you’ve had your money’s worth out of them. If not see below

Does the bike stand on concrete unmoved for long periods of time? The tyre will be under a lot of pressure in one specific point if it is.

Krikkit

27,938 posts

211 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
catso said:
Yes they look knacked to me but at 5 years old I wouldn't have expected cracking like that unless they've been stored 'badly'?

I've got the old wheels off my 916 in the workshop, been sitting around for well over 10 years and the tyres fitted to them are still visually in good nick with no cracking....
Usually it's UV damage that can do that to them - I've seen a tyre get in that state in less than two years, but it was sitting in a south-facing pile of exposed wheels 24/7. In this case I think it's just bad luck.

The tyres on my Monster were the originals from 2011 when I bought it last year, they still looked perfect. Changed them anyway of course, but you couldn't tell how old they were from the look.

Max5476

1,021 posts

144 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
norlio said:
Four years use from a set of tyres is pretty good going. I don’t think I’d be getting upset that they were starting to degrade five years after they were made.

How many miles have you done on them? If lots, then you’ve had your money’s worth out of them. If not see below

Does the bike stand on concrete unmoved for long periods of time? The tyre will be under a lot of pressure in one specific point if it is.
I always forget to check the date code when getting new tyres from a dealer - I wouldn't feel like I had good value if they had been sat in stores for 3 years, and then started cracking 2 years after fitting.

I suppose it's a reminder to check what was fitted before riding off.

FazerBoy

1,008 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
I wouldn’t be comfortable riding on those tyres - except to my local tyre fitters for a new set.

mad4amanda

2,410 posts

194 months

Sunday 24th May 2020
quotequote all
Max5476 said:
I always forget to check the date code when getting new tyres from a dealer - I wouldn't feel like I had good value if they had been sat in stores for 3 years, and then started cracking 2 years after fitting.

I suppose it's a reminder to check what was fitted before riding off.
make sure tyres are stored in cool preferably dark place we go to great lengths to make sure ours are but I see lots of bad storage at dealers