Bizzare Tire Wear - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

02-16-2004, 04:31 AM

Hello, have a question that is puzzling me and I hope someone can
help.

I have a 99 Specialized StumpJumper Comp. I commute to work in
Michigan, about 2.75 miles each way. It is cold out but the sidewalks
are usually clear, maybe ride a little ice and packed snow at
intersections.

My question is my rear tires are getting these weird diagonal lines on
the sidewalls where the tire just seems to be thinning out. This
first happened on a Hutchinson Alligator. I only noticed it when a
few of these wearing out bands got so bad that the tube was actually
bulging out. So, I switched it out for a Specialized Dirt Master comp
which is on a different rim. Now I am noticing the same wear pattern
on this second tire.

It is multiple diagonal lines that run almost the entire sidewall.
They are spaced less than an inch apart and it just looks like it is
wearing out. I thought at first it must be rubbing but I can't see
anywhere that the tire doesn't clear the frame and the brake pads
aren't far enough out to cause it. It is not abrasion from rocks or
whatever because I am riding only on the sidewalks and roads, and only
very occasionaly these aren't cleared of snow. Is it the cold?
Haven't had any problems with the front tire though, still has the
Hutchinson on it and no problems.

Any Ideas?

Thanks,
Tony

02-16-2004, 08:25 AM

"Tony" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> Hello, have a question that is puzzling me and I hope someone can
> help.
> ............ rear tires are getting these weird diagonal lines on
> the sidewalls where the tire just seems to be thinning out. ....
>
> Any Ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> Tony

I have had this happen also. It comes from not keeping enough pressure in
your tire. When you go over small bumps or road obstacles watch your rear
tire where it meets the road. The tire folds in on itself creating a pattern
of diagonal lines across the sidewall of your tire. Do you get multiple
pinch flats? Try pumping tires up to spec (use a gage) before every ride. I
keep my rear tire at ~45psi, Maybe it's a little overkill but, I weigh 83Kg
never get pinch flats and my rims stay true.

02-16-2004, 01:37 PM

On 16 Feb 2004 04:31:42 -0800, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Tony) wrote:
>It is multiple diagonal lines that run almost the entire sidewall.
>They are spaced less than an inch apart and it just looks like it is
>wearing out. I thought at first it must be rubbing but I can't see
>anywhere that the tire doesn't clear the frame and the brake pads
>aren't far enough out to cause it. It is not abrasion from rocks or
>whatever because I am riding only on the sidewalks and roads, and only
>very occasionaly these aren't cleared of snow. Is it the cold?
>Haven't had any problems with the front tire though, still has the
>Hutchinson on it and no problems.
>
>Any Ideas?

Are you keeping it inflated well, near or at it's maximum rated
pressure? Do you weigh a lot?

Sounds like what would happen to a terribly underinflated tire if
you rode on it for too long and were lucky enough not to have to
replace the tube daily.

Maybe terribly beat up bearings would allow the wheel to rub the
frame when weight is on it, but not when you spin it by hand. Try
looking down while you ride.
--
Rick Onanian

02-16-2004, 01:37 PM

On 16 Feb 2004 04:31:42 -0800, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Tony) wrote:
>It is multiple diagonal lines that run almost the entire sidewall.
>They are spaced less than an inch apart and it just looks like it is
>wearing out. I thought at first it must be rubbing but I can't see
>anywhere that the tire doesn't clear the frame and the brake pads
>aren't far enough out to cause it. It is not abrasion from rocks or
>whatever because I am riding only on the sidewalks and roads, and only
>very occasionaly these aren't cleared of snow. Is it the cold?
>Haven't had any problems with the front tire though, still has the
>Hutchinson on it and no problems.
>
>Any Ideas?

Are you keeping it inflated well, near or at it's maximum rated
pressure? Do you weigh a lot?

Sounds like what would happen to a terribly underinflated tire if
you rode on it for too long and were lucky enough not to have to
replace the tube daily.

Maybe terribly beat up bearings would allow the wheel to rub the
frame when weight is on it, but not when you spin it by hand. Try
looking down while you ride.
--
Rick Onanian

02-16-2004, 02:34 PM

>Try looking down while you ride.

Do NOT do that. It is a basic mistake. In traffic it can get you
killed.

Instead try running the bicycle by hand, preferably on a stand, or if
you don't have that option lift it by the seat tube and work the cranks.

If you can't see the problem your brakes are probably out, this is
most likely brake pad maladjustment, remember that the brake pads
have an entry geometry with respect to the rim.

--

_______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________
------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------
__________306.350.357.38>>cwhitman@texastwr.utaust in.edu__________

02-16-2004, 02:34 PM

>Try looking down while you ride.

Do NOT do that. It is a basic mistake. In traffic it can get you
killed.

Instead try running the bicycle by hand, preferably on a stand, or if
you don't have that option lift it by the seat tube and work the cranks.

If you can't see the problem your brakes are probably out, this is
most likely brake pad maladjustment, remember that the brake pads
have an entry geometry with respect to the rim.

--

_______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________
------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------
__________306.350.357.38>>cwhitman@texastwr.utaust in.edu__________

02-16-2004, 03:05 PM

"The Lawyer" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> >Try looking down while you ride.
>
> Do NOT do that. It is a basic mistake. In traffic it can get you
> killed.

I would hope that no one would look down at their rear wheel while crossing
rush hour traffic. I do believe there are times when you can look at your
back wheel though.

02-16-2004, 03:05 PM

"The Lawyer" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> >Try looking down while you ride.
>
> Do NOT do that. It is a basic mistake. In traffic it can get you
> killed.

I would hope that no one would look down at their rear wheel while crossing
rush hour traffic. I do believe there are times when you can look at your
back wheel though.

02-16-2004, 03:29 PM

>I would hope that no one would look down at their rear wheel while
>crossing rush hour traffic. I do believe there are times when you
>can look at your back wheel though.

Fair enough. Let me tell you a story, though.

Oh my God, not really.

I was riding along on Pennsylvania Avenue and I was riding quick
on my Peugeot, not skipping any beats and this was about five years
ago. A gaggle of bicycle cops were figuring out how to ride in the
midst of this, they were staring at their feet.

They were not aware.

I have found it true that if you (not you personally) stare at your
feet when riding you are not in the moment or "heads up".

If that is a problem for you I suggest Effective Cycling.

Or a brain transplant.

--

_______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________
------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------
__________306.350.357.38>>cwhitman@texastwr.utaust in.edu__________

02-16-2004, 03:29 PM

>I would hope that no one would look down at their rear wheel while
>crossing rush hour traffic. I do believe there are times when you
>can look at your back wheel though.

Fair enough. Let me tell you a story, though.

Oh my God, not really.

I was riding along on Pennsylvania Avenue and I was riding quick
on my Peugeot, not skipping any beats and this was about five years
ago. A gaggle of bicycle cops were figuring out how to ride in the
midst of this, they were staring at their feet.

They were not aware.

I have found it true that if you (not you personally) stare at your
feet when riding you are not in the moment or "heads up".

If that is a problem for you I suggest Effective Cycling.

Or a brain transplant.

--

_______________________ALL AMIGA IN MY MIND_______________________
------------------"Buddy Holly, the Texas Elvis"------------------
__________306.350.357.38>>cwhitman@texastwr.utaust in.edu__________