Cycling UK Forum

I've just been cleaning the bike and noticed that the rear tyre looks like it's wearing thin. The tyres are Kenda Kontenda 700 26c and I've covered 1780 miles from new. the surface looks as though it's worn through the outer to reveal a lower or inner rubber surface, although the wear isn't even. I'd like to replace the tyres with like for like but can't locate any on the tinterweb. I can't find the same size tyres either. The rims are Alex rims DA22. The bike is a Giant SCR 1.5

Am I being to picky?
any suggestions guys

Malc

First thing I'd do is to swap front for rear.

I do this from time to time, so getting a longer wear time before replacing the pair. Don't listen to folk who say you should have loads of tread on the front for extra braking, IMHO tread on bike tyres are a bit of hype unless you're off-road and need grip in a muddy field. Roadwork doesn't need tread.

Sorry, I know nothing about your tyres, but I know any tyre you've bought once, may not be available when you want to buy another. I like matching pairs, so I always buy them in pairs - consequently I like to wear them out in pairs.

If the tyre was getting seriously worn I would chuck it out rather than put it on the front and risk a blow-out!

I assume you've tried googling the tyres? If that didn't throw anything up then you can probably assume you won't find them. My question would be why would you want another one given that it has worn after a relatively low mileage?

Kenda Kontendas are stock tyres that come with some of the giant road bike. My bike has them and tbh they are pretty useless - will be upgrading as soon as I can afford it.

Steve

Mick
I see the logic in swopping providing the wear isn't too much, (which I might get away with in this case)

Nice one cheers.

Frank
The other problem apart from the wear is the size! I can get 23 or 28 but not 26? I've googled Kenda Kontenda ---- no luck. I think I'll swop them over and see what I can get after Xmas. You are right about why put the same back on, I would have expected about 3000miles before changing.

Cheers Guys

Young Un wrote:Kenda Kontendas are stock tyres that come with some of the giant road bike. My bike has them and tbh they are pretty useless - will be upgrading as soon as I can afford it.

Steve

Steve

Any idea how many miles you've done?

Cheers

Malc

Kenda Kontender (random selection from google hits).

700x26 is a relatively unusual size - the normal sequence is 23 - 25 - 28 -32.
In practice, actual tyre sizes commonly vary from nominal size by 2 or 3 mm, so I'd just assume 26=25 when considering other tyres.

Don't put the worn rear tyre on the front! When it's worn out (which it appears to be), put your old front tyre on the rear and buy a new front tyre, not necessarily of the same type.

The reasons for not using a worn tyre on the front are (a) the flattened profile of a worn tyre used on the front ruins cornering ability and (b) a sudden front tyre failure is a lot more dangerous than a sudden rear tyre failure. This has nothing to do with the tread pattern, or lack of it.

I use Continental 4000S chili black which are superb, they stick like proverbial [inappropriate word removed] to a blanket, even in the wet and they have no tread on them. I would rate them better than other tyres I have tried even with tread. I have wear indicators on my tyres which are handy though in the last couple of hundred miles or so I have noticed small cuts/abrasions about 3 - 4mm long. They are not deep and are on the only on the surface of the thicker middle part of the tyre but they don't seem to be a problem.........yet!

My advice was aimed at equalising wear, not a permanent solution to a WORN-OUT tyre.

I accept that if a tyre is worn out, replace it soonest, but it's better to replace them in pairs to maintain the look and versatility.

I dunno - the rear tyre on my commuting bike is visibly flattened after only about 450 miles (2 1/2 months).

My back tyre wear out much faster than my front tyres do. I average just over 4000 for a rear tyre and estimate the front would go to around 16,000 before being worn out.
However they both get cuts at the same rate, so I put a brand new tyre on the front and move the old front tyre to the rear when the rear wears out.
It would be a waste to dispose of the hardly worn front tyre.
If the front tyre was left on the front then after a few years I would be riding for thousands of miles with a worn, cut, damaged and perished tyre on the front. Moved to the rear it soon wears out and is replaced.

Any sub-standard tyre is put on the rear sraight away. If it has side-wall damage or is mis-shapen.

I have now moved to using 25mm front and 28mm rear on the Audax bike so the system will need re-thinking.

Rear tyres wear out because they scrub on the road when pedalling, especially if you climb out of the saddle a lot.

Ditch both, or perhaps keep the front tyre as a spare. The next question is what you want to use the tyre/bike for. I any case, I would fit a relatively wide tyre.
Willem

ferrit worrier wrote:

Young Un wrote:Kenda Kontendas are stock tyres that come with some of the giant road bike. My bike has them and tbh they are pretty useless - will be upgrading as soon as I can afford it.

Steve

Steve

Any idea how many miles you've done?

Cheers

Malc

Done about 1000-1200 on the road and about 100 virtual miles on the turbo.

Steve