Front tyre squeaks

[honesty]

When turning my front tyre squeaks. Its definitely the tyre as you can get it to do it when off the bike just by leaning it to one side and rolling it around. Initially I thought maybe the mudguard was rubbing when turning, but its definitely the tyre. Is this a sign of imminent sidewall failure and do I need to replace the tyre?

[Brucey]

It may just be the tyre squeaking against the road surface. However if it also squeaks similarly on any surface (including wet ones etc) then most likely something is moving inside the tyre, which is rarely a good thing.

It could be a puncture proof layer moving about inside (so eventually the tread may delaminate, which is probably more alarming than outright dangerous) or that the carcass itself is moving about. In the latter case the tyre could fail. It might give warning of iminent failure (e.g. by bulging slightly first), it might not.

cheers

[honesty]

Definitely on any tarmac surface I've done it on its now doing it where it did not in the past. its not something that it has done previously so it does sound like one of the things you've suggested. Right off to look at new tyres... Recommendations? (I've got gatorskins at the moment.)

[Vorpal]

If you don't want to replace the (unworn?) tyre, swap the front tyre for rear. If that doesn't resolve it, and it is due to an imminent failure, at least the failure will occur on the rear, rather than the front. I think that's what I would do.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Sur its not the hub seal (rubber) gone dry
This had me well foxed

[JohnW]

When turning my front tyre squeaks..............Is this a sign of imminent sidewall failure and do I need to replace the tyre?

What kind of tyre is it? - make and size?

[honesty]

25mm Conti gatorskin.

[JohnW]

Ah - I have had sidewall problems with 28mm Paselas, and so have many others - there is a thread somewhere. The sound effects were more of a very sudden "Pssssssssssssst........" than a squeak. I've only used Gatorskins once, and they were fine.

This is quite amazing - I've never heard of a tyre squeaking before - if it had been me, I'd have looked everywhere but the tyre!

[Brucey]

I've heard several failing tyres and on cars, trucks etc I'd describe the sounds I've heard as more of a 'creak', a bit like the sound you get when treading in slightly wet snow. But then I guess a higher pitched creak could be a squeak....

cheers

[honesty]

I guess squeak is not a good description. Squeal or creak is probably better.

[Vantage]

Hi,
Sur its not the hub seal (rubber) gone dry
This had me well foxed

+1
I have this sometimes after washing the bike. It's very noticeable at any speed and had me racking my brains as to what it was till I discovered it.

[Squeezebox]

Have you tried a thick coating of grease (maybe lard?) around the outside of the tread ?

[reohn2]

Have you tried a thick coating of grease (maybe lard?) around the outside of the tread ?

Ermm!

[honesty]

Have you tried a thick coating of grease (maybe lard?) around the outside of the tread ?

Ermm!

Yeh that was my thought! When I'm going down Blagdon hill at 40mph I don't want to have greased tyres!

[JohnW]

Have you tried a thick coating of grease (maybe lard?) around the outside of the tread ?

Ermm!

I'd be making a stronger comment than "Ermm to the idea of grease on the vulnerable parts of a tyre, particularly next to the braking surface, r2!

French chalk or cheapo talcum powder liberally applied to the inside of the tyre may solve the problem - and so could checking whether the tube has been twisted whilst putting the tyre on - always assuming that the OP hasn't already done that of course.