Do tires soften with age?

[verbs4us]

Interested if you have a similar observation: I ride Conti GP 4000s, and when one (the rear) finally gave up the ghost last week, I replaced it with a Gator Hardshell. Does not ride as nice, and feel heavier but it seemed to make sense for this post-snow/pre-mud season.

After each ride, channeling my Inner Adrian Monk, I use a jeweler's screwdriver to pry out whatever flecks of glass and metal I can find in the tires, to stop their evil migration toward the tube. I've noticed that that the Gator almost never accumulates any debris while the GP 4000 picks up 4 or 5 flecks per ride.

You think this is because the Gator is new, and the GP 4000 is a few years old? Or because they are different compounds?

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by verbs4us

You think this is because the Gator is new, and the GP 4000 is a few years old? Or because they are different compounds?

the second thing.

GP4000's are conti's road racing tire and use a softer, more supple compound that sacrifices some durability in favor of ride comfort and speed.

Gator hardshells are completely opposite tires, intended for ultimate durability and puncture resistance. the are a much stiffer, harder tire, by design.

[peanutgallery]

Way different compounds for different purposes

The gator is like kitchen vinyl wrapped around a brick, the GP is much softer and has a more supple ride

[Mike Bryant]

What Angry said; but those Conti 4seasons are an excellent compromise betwixt the two. Not as smooth a ride as the 4000/5000; not as tough, rough, and hard as the Gator Skins.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joevers]

That's the trade off, it rides terribly but you get less stuff stuck in your tire. Not worth it for me even on a commuter. Even as a courier I used the GP4000. Agree that there are better options than a Gatorskin.

[avalonracing]

I rode Gatorskins on my winter bike for a few seasons as our roads can suck. I decided to put a GP4000s back on the winter bike one spring and it reminded me that my winter bike was actually a nice riding bike and not a stiff jittery ride that I thought it was.

[C40_guy]

Tires actually do the opposite. The rubber hardens with age, becomes *less* supple.

[tuscanyswe]

Do tires puncture with age? Just took out my "spring wheels" from the closet and find that basicly new vittoria tubulars are now both punctured from storage. Very weird..

[yinzerniner]

Originally Posted by C40_guy

Tires actually do the opposite. The rubber hardens with age, becomes *less* supple.

Exactly - rubber dries out as it ages, and "cracking" can occur.

See pics of old vs new GP4K here:
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...orn-gp4000s-ii

That being said, yes Gatorskins ride about as soft as a bare rim. IMO there are MUCH better options for durable tires nowadays such as the Pirelli Cinturato Velo.

[verbs4us]

Thanks guys. I'm wondering if I lower the pressure if the Gators won't feel like cast iron. I normally run the GP 4000s at 90 psi. Will try the Gators at 80 and see if it's a kidney-saving move.

[C40_guy]

Run the GatorBacks through the spring and then change over to your "good" tires. It always feels so good when you do it!

[pasadena]

try some rubino garden hose. as supple as a punch from mike tyson.
But they wear out quick.

how long have you guys had new tires in storage?
I have a few new conti's on the shelf, got on sale. Wondering if I should just "use them or loose them"

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by verbs4us

Thanks guys. I'm wondering if I lower the pressure if the Gators won't feel like cast iron. I normally run the GP 4000s at 90 psi. Will try the Gators at 80 and see if it's a kidney-saving move.

Try 70

[zmalwo]

I feel like rubber engineering has gotten a lot better during the recent years and at least for gp 4000, I have not seen one crack due to old age. my gp4000s that i bought in 2014 are still as soft as new even though they were under pressure and kept above 60 psi this whole time

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by zmalwo

I feel like rubber engineering has gotten a lot better during the recent years

That's true. I have a couple sets of old green cyclocross tires and they are unrideable. Not supple at all, not much grab left in them... They *feel* dry.