View Full Version : Gravel driveways
tomjones2
03-07-06, 11:27 AM
Can gravel driveways cause your tyres to fail, I just been looking at my tyres and there are loads or cracks where the sharp gravel has cut the tyre.
Has anyone heard of tyres failing due to this, the cracks aren't big but a few are over 1cm long and i'm begining to get a bit worried. The tyre still hold pressure so i'm sure they havnt gone through.
Cheers
SVeeedy Gonzales
03-07-06, 11:53 AM
The D220's I just had replaced (done just over 5000 miles) had these cracks - I get my bike in and out via an alleyway and there's always bits of gravel and broken glass down there which I reckon started off the cracks, coupled with the tyres being a few years old and not a fantastic rubber compund anyway.
With the temperature cycles of riding - heating and cooling, plus the tyre ageing, flexing during use, etc. the cracks will grow over time, plus check that stuff isn't stuck inside the cracks, as that'll penetrate the tyre faster. That was why I changed the Dunlops in the end - they worked alright but they looked like they were on the way out due to the cracks.
What tyres are they/how old are they?
Mike1234
03-07-06, 12:05 PM
Gravel and glass starting cracks in your tyres?
More likely to be the age of the tyre coupled with the sun and other chemicals.
I'm with Mike, you get the odd sharp bit of flint or something that sticks in the tyres but I wouldn't have thought that tyres in good nick would be getting cut up by gravel :?
tomjones2
03-07-06, 12:51 PM
What tyres are they/how old are they?
There bt020 and in all fairness the front done 9.5k and is pretty much finished, the rear got some more left though. Both tyres are less than a year old
Do these cracks appear in all tyres then, I just assumed that it was the gravel causing the problems.
northwind
03-07-06, 12:54 PM
I've got a gravel drive, occasionally the treads'll pick up a stone but never for long. Can't say as I've ever seen any damage- I've occasionally found a wee sharp shard or a bit of glass stuck in a tyre but it could have come from anywhere.
Low tyre pressures over an extended period could cause cracks, usually near the edges of the tyre.
Check the accuracy of your gauge, never ever trust garage air compressors readings.
Ceri JC
03-07-06, 02:43 PM
I ride my SV on gravel almost daily (gf has a dirty great gravel drive covered in it; not just a few bits of gravel on tarmac). I even spin the back wheel up on it to help with turning quite regularly. I've had a few cuts in my tyres (I can't be sure if they're from the gravel mind), but they really are minor surface ones, with nothing in them and they've disappeared afterwards as the tyre has worn, with no discernable side effects.
I'd look at it this way, even though car tyres are wider and there are more of them, I don't imagine the actual weight of a big car & occupants compared to a bike in terms of contact patch of tyre is wildly different. Cars don't generally have this problem, so I don't think bikes would, either.
As tires get to the end of their life they are getting close to the canvas inner construction. This is the most likely time that they will crack as you have described. I think it's because the rubber is so thin it moves around more and stretches causing it to breakdown.
The other reason will be the age of the rubber. Old rubber that is not used will deteriorate over time. Not likely to be the issue in your case.
wheelnut
03-07-06, 09:08 PM
Although the tyres are only a year old on your bike, they could have been stored for a long time in the sun or in a bright showroom. This can affect the construction of the tyre.
As for riding on gravel, you are a braver man then me. I hate it :P
As for riding on gravel, you are a braver man then me. I hate it :P
When a few of us went for a trip to spain, we chose (OK I chose) a route that seemed like a fantastic road to ride. All of a sudden the road ended and turned into gravel. The road was being renewed. We thought it would possibly be a mile at the most before the gravel would turn back into road again.
About 15 miles later it did. :shock: Three bikes and not one puncture or off. I started by taking it really easy, but after about 5 miles I got a bit bored and opened it up some. Ended up standing on the pegs with the back end fish tailing around the bends. Was good fun :lol: :lol:
Quiff Wichard
03-07-06, 10:00 PM
As for riding on gravel, you are a braver man then me. I hate it :P
When a few of us went for a trip to spain, we chose (OK I chose) a route that seemed like a fantastic road to ride. All of a sudden the road ended and turned into gravel. The road was being renewed. We thought it would possibly be a mile at the most before the gravel would turn back into road again.
About 15 miles later it did. :shock: Three bikes and not one puncture or off. I started by taking it really easy, but after about 5 miles I got a bit bored and opened it up some. Ended up standing on the pegs with the back end fish tailing around the bends. Was good fun :lol: :lol:
AND now Jo knows u did that !!!!
As for riding on gravel, you are a braver man then me. I hate it :P
When a few of us went for a trip to spain, we chose (OK I chose) a route that seemed like a fantastic road to ride. All of a sudden the road ended and turned into gravel. The road was being renewed. We thought it would possibly be a mile at the most before the gravel would turn back into road again.
About 15 miles later it did. :shock: Three bikes and not one puncture or off. I started by taking it really easy, but after about 5 miles I got a bit bored and opened it up some. Ended up standing on the pegs with the back end fish tailing around the bends. Was good fun :lol: :lol:
AND now Jo knows u did that !!!!
There are no secrets between Jo and I :wink:
probably 40,000 miles or more of my 130,000 miles on my SV have been on gravel roads (even some trail riding) tires certanly don't wear faster of gravel, more likly they wear slower, the rubber does not get as hot on gravel
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/MyYamR7/Picture004.jpg
http://images5.theimagehosting.com/georgiaroute.th.jpg (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=georgiaroute.jpg)
Biker Biggles
05-07-06, 10:38 AM
Where are these cracks ?Are they like an irregular scuffing round the crown of the tyre or are they obviously cuts made by sharp objects?Tyres can cut up and wear oddly if your suspension is shagged or if your chain is badly worn.Tight spots on the chain cause constant variation in power delivery,and a snatchy transmission gives tyres a very hard time.
DanAbnormal
06-07-06, 08:40 AM
Got a few cracks on my tyres and the bike is only 4 months old and only done 7000miles. It's happened on all my bikes, I think it's just crap from the roads usually picked up when filtering as all the rubbish gets swept to the outside of the lanes by the cars.trucks etc.
tomjones2
06-07-06, 09:59 AM
Where are these cracks ?Are they like an irregular scuffing round the crown of the tyre or are they obviously cuts made by sharp objects?Tyres can cut up and wear oddly if your suspension is shagged or if your chain is badly worn.Tight spots on the chain cause constant variation in power delivery,and a snatchy transmission gives tyres a very hard time.
All the bigger ones are in the cental(ish) regioin of the front tyre, bigape explanation makes a lot of sense as this tire is very close to both the central and side tyre limits.
Many thanks for the answers everyone, has put my mind at rest as i had visons of a high speed deflation.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.