All Questions
41 questions
4
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Time for a new tyre?
On my ride yesterday the rubber on my tyre seemed to rip away revealing the second layer of the tyre. I was wondering whether this would still be safe to ride on. Maybe the tyre is less puncture-...
- 253
2
votes
1
answer
721
views
Is it generally safe to ride on with a puncture like this?
I had a puncture on my big ride yesterday that hurt my tire and even the carcass quite visually. In the end and due to lack of options to source a fitting tire on a Sunday in more remote Alpine ...
- 4,576
3
votes
6
answers
1k
views
When does the braking power stop scaling with Rotor Size
It's commonly established that the braking power scales with rotor size, and an optimal braking technique is to provide enough force for the rear wheel just to lift up. However, my question is wouldn'...
- 33
12
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Are wider tires better on ice?
Assuming there are no studs, would a wider tire be safer on tarmac with pockets of ice? How does also the profile or other features of the tire impact this?
- 8,134
10
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Why don't my studded tyres grip on ice?
For the first time in my life, I have had stud tyres installed on my bicycle, because I've nearly killed myself bicycling the last few winters, no matter how slowly and carefully I go. It seems like ...
- 117
10
votes
9
answers
7k
views
Why are there no snow chains for bicycles?
My last bicycle trip was a complete nightmare. Snow and ice everywhere, with no plowing anywhere. It made me re-realize what I already became all too familiar with last winter: it's a scary nightmare ...
- 133
7
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is it safe to ride after innertube bulged out (returned to normal after deflating)?
I recently inflated a tire to 50 PSI. The tire/innertube is recommended to inflated to 30 to 80 PSI (standard tires on RadWagon 3). At 50 PSI however, the innertube started bulging to the point that ...
11
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Are winter tires (with studs) safe to use in summer-like conditions?
The climate where I live is such that you may get snow or even true ice one day, but it will be dry gravel and tarmac on another. I understand that winter tires would not be ideal on these, but ...
- 8,134
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
Schwalbe tires stored in a dark humid basement for over 10 years: possible to tell if they're safe to ride? [duplicate]
I have a pair of never installed Schwalbe tires that have been hanging up for about 10 years in my dark humid basement. They have not seen the light of day in all that time. When I examine them ...
- 1,146
6
votes
2
answers
274
views
Safe to Ride Tires Packaged for Two Years?
Below is a picture of two Continental 5000's that were kept in their boxes for about two years:
They were kept out of direct sunlight inside a house that was not climate controlled.
The tires feel ...
- 411
17
votes
8
answers
4k
views
What is the purpose of a tread pattern on city/road tyres?
What is the purpose of tread patterns on city/road tyres?
I think I've understood (perhaps wrongly) from this site that they're unnecessary on paved roads:
Grip (friction) is more-or-less contant, or ...
- 12.3k
13
votes
10
answers
8k
views
Why do they not sell bicycles with four wheels?
In the summertime, and Fall/Autumn, and Spring, my normal, two-wheeled bicycle works perfectly well.
But then there's Winter. What is normally friendly, non-slippery asphalt and grainy forest paths ...
- 155
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does tire need immediate replacement?
I have received a hand-down bike from a friend that had a punctured inner tube which I have since patched, however during my fix I noticed that the tyre is not in the best condition when looking at ...
- 137
9
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Front tire & downtube clearance - extremely dangerous?
I recently moved cities and met someone to buy a used "vintage" bike from them. While test riding at a slow speed I gradually applied the brakes. The front brake seemed to jump from light ...
- 213
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
What are the hazards and risks if I keep using a worn rear tyre?
I found similar questions:
What are the risks of fenders/mudguards?
What are the risks of untrued wheels?
But I haven't found a structured analysis on the subject of tyres.
Stack exchange ...
- 2,364
1
vote
1
answer
157
views
My tyre has hollow knobs, is it normal/desirable/essential for maker to disclose?
I noticed my back tyre has hollow knobs and I can't remember ever seeing this before. Some of the knobs have turned out to be hollow inside. I know YGWYPF, my questions are:
Is it normal? I got no ...
- 2,364
18
votes
8
answers
9k
views
Can I avoid falling in the rain on a corner?
I was riding in the rain a few months ago and fell turning a 90° corner. Here are the details:
Riding on a road bike with new 25mm smooth tires inflated to 100 psi (Cannondale Synapse with ...
3
votes
2
answers
200
views
Influence of tire breadth on cornering
Due to a bike replacement, I recently started using 700x40C tires, after several years of using 700x35C or 700x28C.
Whenever I corner, I have the impression the bike is behaving differently than what ...
- 7,311
3
votes
5
answers
962
views
How to recognize a bad tire?
The most expensive "consumable" while operating a bicycle would probably be tires. Enthusiasts endlessly debate the relative merits of different sizes, profiles, tread patterns,inflation pressures ...
- 83
4
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Is it a problem to have tires of different width?
I received a new tire for my bike. I believe this is a "Hybrid bike" in English and looks more or less like that
image courtesy of Wikimedia
I use it to commute, 50% on bike paths and 50% on easy ...
- 1,135
4
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Tire Rubbing Against Chainstay
The specifics:
Have an older Litespeed Vortex (2005) frame. I think back in these days the super skinny 20mm tires were in vogue. Anyways it seems like the frame might be super optimized towards ...
- 283
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
1976 peugeot 10-speed bike correct tire pressure?
I have a 1976 peugeot 10-speed bike. What is the correct tire pressure? I ride over concrete sidewalks and rough, pitted asphalt roads and paths.
- 21
12
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What happens if a tire goes flat while I am in a fast turn?
So, the other day, I was riding along and got a flat tire. I was at the bottom of a large hill where I often find myself travelling 30 or more miles per hour (as per my speedometer) about it's many ...
- 1,445
3
votes
1
answer
141
views
Running tires with significantly different pressures?
I ordered a replacement for one of the old Schwalbe Marathon 700x28C tires on my ancient road bike, and it turns out that "new" Marathons of that size are meant to be inflated to 80-110psi despite ...
- 3,535
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Black threads are coming of my tire. Does it need to be replaced?
One of my bike tires have started shedding long black threads. I'm assuming that this means that something is not right. The tire has a folding bead. Does this mean that my tire should be replaced as ...
- 4,414
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
What bicycle safe anti-car road spikes exist?
I am curious if there is a technology that allows bicycles to run over it, but will destroy car tires.
From my understanding, usually poles like this are placed on trails to prevent vehicles from ...
- 169
2
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Best Tires for Cannondale Bad Boy 4
I'm just getting into biking and last week I just purchased a Cannondale Bad Boy 4 from REI. They still have it in the shop as I'm in the processing of moving and they agreed to hold onto it for me.
...
- 121
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Front tire skidding, resulted in a crash, any advice?
I have been cycling my whole life, and for about a year I have been doing 25km a day, without any problems. I got new Vittoria Rubino 23s tires a few weeks ago and I had no problems for 3 weeks since, ...
- 123
2
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Are there any permanent solutions for holes smaller than 1cm on outer tyre?
My road bike tire is damaged because of some biketrap I fell into. After a month I got a flat while riding. I found this hole at the damaged area while repairing the puncture on inner tube. After ...
- 23
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How do treads affect traction?
I've read that treads don't affect traction very much. This is why NASCAR cars have smooth tires.
But, the road is not clean. They say you can't hydroplane on a bike, but what about a thin patch of ...
- 1,445
6
votes
2
answers
410
views
Are some tires safer than others?
I bought a Bell Road tire from Walmart. Since I haven't exactly had great luck with Walmart bicycle products, I looked up the reviews... not so great.
In their defense, they are 1.375, not 1.25, but ...
- 1,445
12
votes
6
answers
22k
views
What are the advantages of filling tires with Nitrogen instead of air?
I am completely new to riding bikes and know that are usually filled with air but nowadays some people fill them with Nitrogen instead.
I don't know why they prefer to fill their tires with nitrogen ...
- 223
4
votes
2
answers
5k
views
What is the largest hole a tire can bear before replacement?
Saw this question today. The tire in question has a 2cm long hole on the inside, from a knife.
I sometimes get puncture flats from e.g. glass. Never as big as 2cm. Usually if they're less than 1/2cm,...
- 1,920
6
votes
2
answers
344
views
Is this rim safe?
The rim has a parting at the join:
This is a brand new wheel, and I was wondering if this is a safe one. Could it split at the join?
- 423
2
votes
3
answers
435
views
"wound" on the tire side
The other day I was stopped at a traffic light when I felt my bike moving slowly forward. Did not pay really attention, thought there was a slight slope, so hit the brake and voila.
But it did not ...
- 1,952
14
votes
3
answers
20k
views
Is it safe to ride on an unevenly bulging tyre?
Most of the tyre looks fine, true and straight but the section photographed shows bulging. The rim itself is true, is this safe to ride on?
- 977
17
votes
5
answers
17k
views
Are 22mm tires too thin for commuting?
I recently switched from a mountain bike to a road bike with 22mm tires for commuting.
I noticed right away that I could not do the things like hop over curbs with this new bike. I also got flats. ...
- 1,291
9
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Is it a good idea to get a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire on a road bike?
I am currently running Continental Grand Prix S 4000 in 23-622 / 700x23C front and rear. I am about to buy a new set of tires for my road bike and am fancying a smaller tire for the front and a wider ...
- 325
13
votes
4
answers
15k
views
What is the recommended type of tire for riding on wet pavement?
I am commuting in rainy Seattle, and the rain has started. Right now I have Continental Gatorskin tires on my commuter, but yesterday I noticed I was braking to stop the wheels and skidding quite a ...
- 759
8
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Different tyre width (front and back)
Out of necessity, I had to put an 1.26" (32mm) rear tyre on my bike where the front tyre is only 1.1" (28mm) wide (and the bike came with 1.1" tyres when I bought it). Are there any advantages or ...
- 183
4
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Back wheel skidding out
On my cycle to work this morning I noticed my back wheel was skidding out as I was going up a fairly steep hill. It did it enough that I thought I'd probably gotten a flat, however upon inspection it ...
- 1,250