Tyre sidewall split in very low mileage 25mm GP5000 - any long lasting repairs?

daniel_b

Afternoon all,

I took my CR1 SL out for the first time in probably 8 months or so the other weekend to the IOW, which was stupendous by the way.

On the ferry back, I noticed a small amount of tube bulging out on the back tyre

The tyres are virtually new, as I have mostly ridden other bikes, mileage must be 2-300 at the very most since they were fitted last summer.

Is there any proven method for fixing such a split - it's not big, maybe 3-4mm I would say, but clearly can't just be left as such.
I have seen so called tyre boots, but they seem to be a 'get you home' type fix, where as I was kind of hoping for a more permanent fix, probably glueing something fairly thin onto the inside of the tyre.

Has anyone managed something like this, or should I just accept I need to spend another ~£40 on a replacement.

super_davo

Please... just buy a new tyre!

You can bodge a get you home repair with a boot, but even then I'd be riding quite gently. However you fix it you're not going to have full confidence in it, and tyres are definitely something safety critical I need to have confidence in!

oxoman

Unless you have a deathwish take heed of super davo. Potentially look for something better than the GP,s.

sungod

if it split without provocation, you could try warranty

if it was cut, just how things go, i've had brand new tyres cut first day out

the tyre is damaged, might go another ten years with a boot, might fail and cause a nasty accident, bin it

rwoofer

As above. Not worth the risk.

dombo6

Bin it

Munsford0

A couple of years ago in the space of 2 months I had sidewall cuts in 2 different virtually brand new tyres. As a Yorkshireman this caused me much anguish.
Tried to eke a few more miles out of one of them with a hefty patch on the inside but there was still an ominous bulge so I never felt entirely happy riding it. The other I left the get me home tyre boot in permanently. Which was only a couple of months because it wore a hole in the innertube and I gave up on it.

So if you can't get a warranty replacement bin it. Not worth the hassle, worry or risk.

My inner Yorkshireman now takes the long view; 2 sidewall cuts in 50 years of cycling isn't a bad average, and some tyres I've worn right down to the carcass

daniel_b

Ah fair do's - my instinct was to buy a new tyre, but thought it was worth an ask, but I see the views, and experience are overwhelming, so decision made.

Fwiw, where I live I have found the 4 and 5000s to be excellent in all respects, this has been the first one that has died early.

Thanks all.

laurentian

I had a problem like this with GP4000 a few years ago. Bought two and one got a bulge (though not tube showing through) after just a few rides.

Sent photo together with order details etc. by email to the seller (was Chain Reaction, Wiggle or similar) and they replaced the whole order (i.e. two tyres not just the one that had failed) - didn't ask for the faulty tyre back or anything.

It'll cost you nothing to do this.

daniel_b

laurentian said:

I had a problem like this with GP4000 a few years ago. Bought two and one got a bulge (though not tube showing through) after just a few rides.

Sent photo together with order details etc. by email to the seller (was Chain Reaction, Wiggle or similar) and they replaced the whole order (i.e. two tyres not just the one that had failed) - didn't ask for the faulty tyre back or anything.

It'll cost you nothing to do this.

Cheers @laurentian I will check back on my e-mails, and give it a go :-)

daniel_b

I've also spotted a good opportunity - my trusty Foil is wearing a pair of still decent condition 25mm GP4000s, so I reckon I shift them over to the CR1, and then get a new shiny set of 5000s for the Foil, possibly in time for Ride London.

bobones

I would attempt a repair for this and would have no qualms about riding it. You can use a tubeless repair patch, which are are like ordinary patches but reinforced so they don't stretch or bulge. Sand the repair area, apply two layers of cement (allowing to almost dry) and use a fairly big patch so that the cut is covered with a good bit to spare. Velox and Hutchison do the repair kits. The Velox and Hutch MTB kits have fairly large patches, while the patches in the Hutch road kit are quite small. If it still bulges after repair then bin the tyre. Worth a shot if you can't get the tyre replaced by the retailer.

trevor.hall12

Had this with my 5000 TLs that wernt too old too .
Replace it ,it's not worth a fix for 40 quid

daniel_b

trevor.hall12 said:

Had this with my 5000 TLs that wernt too old too .
Replace it ,it's not worth a fix for 40 quid

That's pretty much exactly what I have, though mine are not TLs, just conventional tyres.
It's difficult to think what could make enough significant contact with a sidewall to do that damage, but not puncture the tube, or tyre in your case - although is that a tube I see poking through on your picture?

I'm not in the habit of carrying out superbike style cornering that's for sure

trevor.hall12

That's the tyre poking through as I run them tubeless. Strange but not the first I've seen .

twotoebenny

trevor.hall12 said:

Had this with my 5000 TLs that wernt too old too .
Replace it ,it's not worth a fix for 40 quid

I stopped using 4000s as I kept having similar issues, used to have a number of old (low mileage) 4000s in the garage for turbo duties - was going to try the 5000s but this has given me second thoughts!

jbp

Yes, had the same with 4000s. Split sidewall after 200 miles - a shame as they rode really well. I've not used Conti's since.

oxoman

I've had issues with sidewalls on both gp4 and 5 tyres and won't have them again or Duranos. Can't fault Gaterskins apart from grip in the damp/wet. Go to tyre for me is IRC Formula Pro xguards at the minute.

beansnikpoh

I've just replaced a rear gp5000 after 2 years, approx 12000 km - a few punctures, more towards the end of life, hence the replacement, totally wore away the little wear indicator dots, and it was pretty squared off. gp5000 have been the best tyres I've used and I can get 'em on my rims with thumbs.

It can only be variation in conti quality control (obviously not a good thing), as I was always happy with gp4000s too. Vittorias on the other hand fell apart as soon as I looked at them and the less said about the michelin tyres I've used the better.

The only sidewall bulges I've had in contis are where I've not seated the tube properly after a puncture if I've been in a hurry.

rwoofer

Have to say, I never actually managed to wear out a 4k or 5k. The sidewalls always split before then. However usually get enought miles out of them anyway to keep me buying.

webboo

I have worn both out and also binned both due side wall cuts. Catch the edge of pothole or ride through gravel on the edge of the road especially here on the Wolds chalk and flints and you are looking for a tyre boot to get home.

trevor.hall12

twotoebenny said:

trevor.hall12 said:

Had this with my 5000 TLs that wernt too old too .
Replace it ,it's not worth a fix for 40 quid

I stopped using 4000s as I kept having similar issues, used to have a number of old (low mileage) 4000s in the garage for turbo duties - was going to try the 5000s but this has given me second thoughts!

This is the first issues I've had with 5s certainly won't stop me buying them ,best for feel imo