Bicycle tires - Shelf life???

[Muse]

I got a good deal on now-not-so-common 27 x 1 3/8" tires (Kenda K161), bought 4 of them (had just installed my last one on my road bike). So, my questions are:

1. how long will they keep without deteriorating?

2. will they keep better if I store them in a large plastic trash bag with a twist tie to prevent more air from getting inside?

My thinking (from past experience) is that (I think) ozone will deteriorate rubber (what's "rubber" made from these days anyway?). In the past I've stored new bicycle tires this way. Is it helpful or just an unnecessary step I've been taking? ...

 

[tweakmonkey]

Indoors? Several years easily. Outdoors? Eh.. Sun really kills stuff like that. Indoors I wouldn't worry.

I've had some slicks in my garage from 5+ years ago. They still feel new. No bags.

 

[Muse]

Indoors? Several years easily. Outdoors? Eh.. Sun really kills stuff like that. Indoors I wouldn't worry.

I've had some slicks in my garage from 5+ years ago. They still feel new. No bags.

Thanks.

Well, I just did a search and came up with this very interesting page that deals with this subject:

Technical FAQ: Taking care of unused tires

This guy uses 303 Protectant, used to use Armor All (which I have).

 

[tweakmonkey]

I wouldn't spray anything on them. I would never put that stuff on car tires either.

 

[43st]

I'd bag them if they're in a basement with a furnace due to the ozone. Aside that and direct sunshine they should last 10+ years easily. I keep mine in a couple contractor trash bags.

 

[agent00f]

I got a good deal on now-not-so-common 27 x 1 3/8" tires (Kenda K161), bought 4 of them (had just installed my last one on my road bike). So, my questions are:

1. how long will they keep without deteriorating?

2. will they keep better if I store them in a large plastic trash bag with a twist tie to prevent more air from getting inside?

My thinking (from past experience) is that (I think) ozone will deteriorate rubber (what's "rubber" made from these days anyway?). In the past I've stored new bicycle tires this way. Is it helpful or just an unnecessary step I've been taking? ...

The kind of rubber used in tires does seem to deteriorate chemically over years. It might not be visible in terms of appearance but traction seems to be affected in older (like collector) cars even if the tire isn't actively used. Since tires aren't typically used up to their limits of adhesion this might not be obvious until it's too late.

Car tires places won't work on tires over 10 years old so that's a rough guideline.

 

[senseamp]

I keep mine in ziplock bags to reduce evaporation of rubber oils over time. Realistically I use them after at most a couple years anyways.

 

[Muse]

I keep mine in ziplock bags to reduce evaporation of rubber oils over time. Realistically I use them after at most a couple years anyways.

Well, the tires I have on there now are fairly new, and I don't ride a ton. The tire I just replaced a couple weeks ago was truly on its last legs, I should really have replaced it sooner. When I took it off I saw that it had actually worn through right in the middle. Were it not for the fact that I had a Mr. Tuffy urethane tire liner in there (and the extra heavy/thick thorn resistant tube surely helped, too), I could have had a blowout or at least a flat.

I'm unlikely to use the 4 new tires I have in less than 3 years, maybe as many as 5, don't know. Anyway, glad I posted this thread, I'm going to double bag the 4 new ones I have. I figure that can't hurt, and will prevent air from getting in/out of that bag beyond what's in there. I suppose the tires will out-gas, and hope the concentration of whatever gases that do out-gas will not be detrimental.