Replace Tyre?

CleeRider

My first road bike so pls excuse the newbie questions...

My rear tyre has a small bulge. It's done 1500 miles. Is it time to change it or can I safely ride on it for x more miles?

Also...
The tyres on the bike are 23mm and I have new Conti 25mm tyres waiting for it. Is it ok to swap the rear for 25mm and stay on a front 23mm?
Or perhaps move the front 23mm to the rear and put a 25mm on the front?
Or simply swap both to 25mm?

plowmar

Hi cleerider, are pics possible?, could be other things other than a simple worn tyre.

Re tyre changes, from previous posts the main reason for switching from 23mm to 25mm seems to be comfort so in a way you pays you're money and takes you're choice.

On an asthetic point I would put the 25mm on the back - as it looks as if you should change that one anyway, or do both. Changing the front for some reason just seems wrong.

sungod

is there a cut where it bulges? if so the carcass has probably been damaged, if the cut doesn't go all the way through and the bulge is small it's probably ok, pic might help

if the front is ok, just put 25mm on the rear, absolutely fine to have 23/25

CleeRider

It's a small bulge. It's forcing a part of the tyre apart - looks like a cut but it's along one of the 'lines' on the tyre. So it looks like a cut but it doesn't go all the way through.
Really difficult to explain without pictures - I'm away for the weekend.

Will I go slower with 25mm tyres? I kind of bought them without considering this very important question

plowmar

sounds as though the tyre has been cut/nicked (not stolen), replace not worth taking risk.

sungod

the carcass of the tyre is fabric, this is what gives it strength, the rubber is there for grip and weather sealing

the cut has gone through enough of the threads to weaken it, so the tyre bulges

for a small cut you can fit a tyre boot (diy or http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-emer ... oot-patch/ ) and it'll still be safe