Rear tire problem

Hey,

Well I was riding my Duc home yesterday and the back end seemed a little "off". So when I got home a checked the rear tire and found whats in the pics. I don't ever remember seeing the gash before. I'm not sure if it was there and I never noticed or if I hit something (although I would think the gash would go with the tire tread not against it) or somebody took a knife to it.

What do you guys think? I normally run 36psi and it showed 34psi yesterday when I checked it and it was 30psi today. I bought the tire last June/July and just had it installed on May 31st. It was installed at the cycle shop I used to work at by a guy I know with me watching so I'm sure it didn't happen then. The sad thing is that the tire has about 300 miles on it and the D208 has been discontinued for about 2 years so a exact replacement is out.

What's your opinion? Should I ride on it or buy a new tire ?

Later, Doug

Post edited by: StreetfighterKz, at: 2007/06/21 19:50

Another view

Looks like you may have ran over something with a sharp edge, on the road. Maybe something metal.

it dont look that bad,but if its leaking probably better change it;)

Looks like the tread is pretty dead there so it would have to be a deep hole to go all the way through. But it is leaking so something is going on. Might be a pin hole or something. You could always smoke the tire a bit and see it the mark goes away :side: . That is a tough choice. The right thing to do is change it for the sake of your skin. Since you felt it while riding that tells me the tire has been damaged to a point where it is affecting the performance.

If it's loosing pressure try spraying some soapy water toward the stem area. Is the stem leaking? If not replace the tire.

KZCSI

Check the rim for damage also, a bent rim could leak around the bead.

does look like you ran over something, the soap and water deal is the best way to find a leak, bottom line its your butt on the bike and how do you feel about loosing a tire while riding