Tyres....how old is too old?

[347sixtyseven]

Is there an age when tyres on a road bike should be replaced regardless of wear?

Tyres on my bike have done < 50km in 3 or 4 years. Should they be replaced now that i am going to ride again?

Cheers

Gary

[Mulger bill]

Do they still hold air?
Is the rubber showing signs of perishing?
Have they gone out of shape from sitting in the shed?

Shaun

[toolonglegs]

Do they look old?.Have they been in a cool dark place or in sunlight?.If they still hold air and arent cracked then they are probably fine.
I know that some old boy mechanics in belgium store singles in their cellars for a couple of years before fitting them to track bikes...must have sme merit.

[347sixtyseven]

They still hold air and look ok. They have been living with the bike in a back bedroom.

I will give them a run and see how they go.

Gary

[europa]

Welcome to the nuthouse Gary.

I think you'll be right. Just keep an eye on them ... as you would anyway. If there aren't any signs of pershing, they aren't likely to explode on you.

Richard

[Kid_Carbine]

Well some of the tyres I use are new, but over 50 years old & still serviceable, so it not the age that matters, it's the CONDITION.

What kills tyres in storage is heat & direct sunlight.

[Leigh_caines]

I scored an old {1970} M/star
Great bike...
It'd been sitting in someone shed not used
The tyers looked great [like new]...
I rode it hard...
by day 2 the front one went [with a boom]
day 4 out went the other one....

New tyers and it's still a great bike

[531db]

In 2006, I put a air of Continental GP 700/20C's on my Guerciotti track bike. I'd had the Conti's stored in the dark in a wardrobe since 1992. The tyres have been ridden some 500 km plus on both indoor and outdoor velodromes and look like they'll be good for at least another 16 years.

[rustychisel]

Maybe. I used a pair of Avocet 1 inch tyres which had been hanging up in (various) sheds for over 20 years. They were fine apart from the gum curing which meant the bead edges were razor sharp and slashed my fingers quite deeply when I mounted them. I only retired them because the sidewall threads perished and I judged them unsafe.

[Bnej]

Sometimes rubber can harden with age, which can be a problem with old brake pads.

Tyres I think if it's cracked and/or you can see the threads, then it needs replacing!

Tyres and brakes are critical safety items so don't ride if you have doubts.