Tyre Explosion

[mjcneat]

Had an eventful ride home. My rear tyre, a Bontrager Hardcase Ultimate (I think that's the full name) went pop. Thought it was just a puncture but when looking for a bit of glass/screw etc came across this:



Any idea what could have caused it? Going to take it back to my LBS as only been commuting on it since September, probably around 1500 miles.

I don't recall going over anything, just heard a pop and instant flat tyre.

[CoolC]

How odd!

It looks like it's been cut with a knife.

Presumably it has failed at joining point in the mould. It'll be interesting to hear what the LBS think about it.

[Zigster]

I had this with a Schwalbe One last summer after no more than 70 miles of riding (actually - I can't see the photo - must be restricted on my company internet - so I'm guessing from your description).

Retailer and Schwalbe UK both made it clear it was just one of those things and tyres do it from time to time.

I foolishly bought a new one to replace it, which lasted less than 100 miles before biting the dust in a slightly different way. I'm back on Gatorskins now.

[MadDad]

I had the same with Michelin Pro3's running latex tubes, two complete fails within a week of each other - one at just over 40 mph on a downhill which made for an 'emotional' moment.

Never really got to the bottom of why but haven't ridden Michies' since.

[mjcneat]

CoolC said:

How odd!

It looks like it's been cut with a knife.

Presumably it has failed at joining point in the mould. It'll be interesting to hear what the LBS think about it.

I know that's what I thought. I made it nearly 3 miles though so can't image it would have lasted that long if it had been damaged intentionally. It is parked in a private basement at work so not open to access from passers by.

I have just been to Evans Cycles in Manchester and the guy there said it's only the 2nd time he'd ever seen anything like it and the other one was only a couple of weeks back.

Going to take it back to my LBS where it was purchased. They are usually very helpful so I will see if they think it's a manufacturing defect or damage from riding. I have always run Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres but bought this on recommendation of my LBS.

I may go back to Schwalbe and the guy in Evans recommended their Mondial DD tyre. Anyone used this?

[ALawson]

I had a tubeless tyre suffer a sidewall failure with less than 200km on it. Failed riding up the most perfectly smooth section of tarmac ever.

I emailed the supplier (Malcolm at thecycleclinic) who sent a new one out in the post. No issues since then.

[rdjohn]

I am fairly sure that for the split to be so precise, it has to be a manufacturing defect - probably where the mould meets.

I think that to be "cut" so neatly across the tyre, it would have damaged the tube and have been flat when you got on.

[mjcneat]

rdjohn said:

I am fairly sure that for the split to be so precise, it has to be a manufacturing defect - probably where the mould meets.

I think that to be "cut" so neatly across the tyre, it would have damaged the tube and have been flat when you got on.

That was my thought exactly.

Took it to my LBS last night and none of them had ever seen anything like it. They've ordered me a replacement free of charge.