this is a conti explorer that failed on me today:
it failed where the sidewall sits against the rim edge. it looks like the rim edge has cut through the side wall. i went off-roading last night, so maybe that put a bit of pressure on it. i also run about 50-60 psi for commuting, but also for off-roading (only last night - first time in ages) as i mix that in with my commute.
another possibility is that it was a slow leak and the reduced pressure meant that the tyre sidewall was pinched in between the rim edge and pressure imposed by the contact patch (it flatted - but i'm unsure if the flat was caused by the tyre failure, or vice versa - haven't had a chance to check the flat tube yet).
i've had several tyres fail like this - different brands. any clues as to the cause? have others experienced similar tyre failures?
the tyre - a conti explorer 26" MTB tyre is about a couple of years old, but hasn't had much use - maybe several 1000 km of mostly commuting on bitumen/concrete.
tyre failure
- jules21
- Posts: 10555
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: deep in the pain cave
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: tyre failure
Postby trailgumby » Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:11 pm
I've had that happen to a Conti Sport Contact 26x1.3, a couple of minutes after I completed the highest-traffic, highest speed part of my commute
The tyre was pretty close to beng retired due to being squared off (obviously a rear), and I had a history of running it continuously at or very close to the max recommended pressure. I notice that you seem to do the same with this mtb tyre ... maybe that's a common element?
The bike mechanic at the shop I was frequenting at the time confidently asserted that the sidewall pressure markings were conservative, and that the tyre would readily cope with 15-20% or more over the number. With experience since, I'm not so convinced.
The tyre was pretty close to beng retired due to being squared off (obviously a rear), and I had a history of running it continuously at or very close to the max recommended pressure. I notice that you seem to do the same with this mtb tyre ... maybe that's a common element?
The bike mechanic at the shop I was frequenting at the time confidently asserted that the sidewall pressure markings were conservative, and that the tyre would readily cope with 15-20% or more over the number. With experience since, I'm not so convinced.
-
- Posts: 5131
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:41 pm
Re: tyre failure
Postby rkelsen » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:02 am
IME, sidewall markings are optimistic. Eg: road tyres rated to 150psi. It's pure crud. Nobody needs that much pressure in a road-going tyre.
- jules21
- Posts: 10555
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:14 pm
- Location: deep in the pain cave
Re: tyre failure
Postby jules21 » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:24 am
i suspect that at least in my case(s), the cause could have been the opposite - a slow leak, allowing the sidewall to 'crease' across the rim edge. but i'm unsure - other than knowing that each failure was associated with a tube puncture. but it's a mystery to me which was the cause and which was the symptom.trailgumby wrote:The bike mechanic at the shop I was frequenting at the time confidently asserted that the sidewall pressure markings were conservative, and that the tyre would readily cope with 15-20% or more over the number. With experience since, I'm not so convinced.
but what you need and what they can withstand are two different things. 60 psi is also a lot lower pressure in a tyre with a fairly robust carcass.rkelsen wrote:IME, sidewall markings are optimistic. Eg: road tyres rated to 150psi. It's pure crud. Nobody needs that much pressure in a road-going tyre.
-
- Posts: 5131
- Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:41 pm
Re: tyre failure
Postby rkelsen » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:41 am
Yep. Dunno how they test them, but I had the exact same thing happen to a 'robust' 32mm tyre rated to 85psi. I ran it at 60psi for most of it's 4,500km life...jules21 wrote:but what you need and what they can withstand are two different things. 60 psi is also a lot lower pressure in a tyre with a fairly robust carcass.
Then again, it was a Kenda Kwest. Swapped it out for a Continental Sport Contact (again, rated to 85psi but running at 60), and haven't looked back...
- Nate
- Posts: 3209
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:49 pm
- Contact:
Re: tyre failure
Postby Nate » Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:43 pm
My mate blew out a Conti 4k - surprisingly just after he CO2 inflated it, went off like a shot-gun!
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: tyre failure
Postby Mulger bill » Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:21 pm
I had an out of the box new WTB Velociraptor do that to me on initial fitting while I was crouched over the pump, took 5" before I could hear anything quieter than a passing F/A18.
Never got a reply from the company
Never got a reply from the company
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011
London Boy 29/12/2011
Jump to
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
Brought to you by Bicycles Network Australia | © 1999 - 2024 | Powered by phpBB ®
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.