Old rubber

[Tobias Rodriguez]

evilBay!

 

[Nob]

Silicone based Latex shining spray

 

[bikeworkshop]

You can make them look less dry, but you can't reverse the oxidation.
So any treatment would be for display purposes.

I know some BMX guys use Vaseline and other products to hydrate the carcass of the tyre if they are drying out a little.

I'll think about vaselining my 23mm tubs next time I'm descending a Welsh mountain at 40mph.

I will either laugh or scream.
Or both.

The fabric structure of the tyre will probably be fine, but the rubber becomes brittle and can actually fall off with age.

If they fit ok, pump up ok and look ok, you could ride, just don't expect grip like new-new-stock, and keep an eye on them. Chunks of rubber can flake off old tyres, exposing the casing to debris.

Silicone based Latex shining spray

Like nobby sez, you can make them look pretty, and you might even be able to make them more sticky.

Car tyres have a 10 year use by date now iirc, that's a reasonable guide, but storage, heat and uv exposure are the killers.

Yours look ok in the photos, and plenty of people are riding 20yo+ tyres, just not for performance

 

[Nob]

I use this on my older rubber especially the Modolo Kronos caliper rubber protectors as these are really delicate & need to be kept moist as they can harden & crack very easily. This is also great on Dugast Pink Piste track tubs that I have.

 

[Tobias Rodriguez]

Thanks guys, I feel more jokes are on the way after seeing Nobs product of choice. Gimp suit territory perhaps?

Being honest, these tyres will not see too much action, especially anything too taxing for them. I thought they would look cool on my early 90’s Bio Racer which is purple ish.

 

[greencat]

Never had a problem with small cracks in rubber tyres (those would often appear after six months even on new tyres bitd), the failures usually came from the threads on the casing separating causing splits in the side wall.

 

[al-onestare]

I use this on my older rubber especially the Modolo Kronos caliper rubber protectors as these are really delicate & need to be kept moist as they can harden & crack very easily. This is also great on Dugast Pink Piste track tubs that I have.
View attachment 864189

Before my internet history goes into a dark place, can anyone else confirm or deny @Nob 's post?

 

[bikeworkshop]

It's written in an obscure language that few can understand.
I don't think it's post-watershed stuff, but couldn't swear to it