Is this even possible??

Simonb256

Cycling home earlier this week, I decided to take 'the short route' which involves some very not nice roads.

I managed to make it back 10mins later than the usual route which is 6miles longer.

My question to all you nice people is:

I managed to end up going through a fair bit if diesel on this route, since then my rear tyre(at least) does not hold grip anywhere near as well as it used to.

Therefore is it possible to contaminate a tyre with diesel? Do I have to just carefully put a few miles in and wear the the tyre down until it grips again, or is it new tyre time?

By less grip i mean it tends to now let go halfway through corners, braking usually ends up in just skidding, and if I get to a wet manhole cover type thing I just wheelspin (even more than usual).

I used Conti Gatorskins, and have done for as long as I've had the bike really (on my third pair). It's not so bad as its not rideable but its bad enough for me not to push to hard if that makes sense?

Littigator

hhmmmmm interesting, diesel is the devil's juice indeed but I've never heard of it causing an ongoing problem on tyres!

Simonb256

Littigator wrote:

hhmmmmm interesting, diesel is the devil's juice indeed but I've never heard of it causing an ongoing problem on tyres!

Me neither, brake pads yes, but tyres themselves?
That said i'm not talking the usual slither you get when in light rain, it was a few mm deep and then a slither for about 2miles.

I've had this happen once before and it did eventually wear itself away (after about 50miles) but still, its concerning.

Kieran_Burns

I would think some washing up liquid and hot water on the tyres when you get home would be the best bet!

Try and sort a shallow bath for the tyre and wash it thoroughly

downfader

Washing up liquid has worked for me. Put it neat on a paper towel and rub it on and leave for a couple of minutes. The just wash/spray/hose it off.

If it gets on your brake pads unclip them, I use a cheap tesco value toothbrush and scrub the washing up liquid on it same as above, and on the wheel rims.

Oh and if that doesnt wqork you can get more heavy duty degreasers like FS-1 I think its called.

Kieran_Burns

Or swarfega? that's a serious degreasant.

downfader

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or swarfega? that's a serious degreasant.

Contains grit doesnt it.. Could be harsh on certain areas of a bike...?

Kieran_Burns

downfader wrote:

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Or swarfega? that's a serious degreasant.

Contains grit doesnt it.. Could be harsh on certain areas of a bike...?

I was referring to tyres only, but yes: you would need to be careful about application.

Bagman

Kieran_Burns wrote:

I would think some washing up liquid and hot water on the tyres when you get home would be the best bet!

Try and sort a shallow bath for the tyre and wash it thoroughly

Too much hassle. Put them in the dishwasher when the wife is out shopping

prj45

Kieran_Burns wrote:

Try and sort a shallow bath for the tyre and wash it thoroughly

Don't forget the candles and the massage oil!