Okay gang, I need some input here. I'm about 180lbs (up from 165 the last time I road). My bike has been in the garage for the past 3 years untouched. I got engaged, then married, and now want to get back out on the bike. Like an idiot I did not hang the bike up off the ground so it has been sitting there without air for 3 years. The tires are Continental Grand Prix 3000s. They've been sitting there folded over under the rims the whole time. I just aired them up and see no visible damage. Should I be concerned or just ride the heck out of them and wait to see flats or a sidewall split? I don't want to take a fall during a separation.

Sounds like you need piece of mind, so get new tires. That's the only way you'll ride without worry. Nobody can tell you for sure if your current threads are still any good, you'll get mixed opinions there.
I've often been amazed in the cycling world how much good rubber is ignored. I know tons of guys and gals, who spend thousands of dollars on there bikes and then ignore there rubber? they run the cheapest tires they can find, don't inflate them properly and then wonder why there mighty steed doesn't "ride" up to there expectations?
Pound for pound, bang for buck, whatever you want to call it, the single best performance upgrade you can put on your bike, is good rubber. Tiyas.
go shopping..... :)

Okay gang, I need some input here. I'm about 180lbs (up from 165 the last time I road). My bike has been in the garage for the past 3 years untouched. I got engaged, then married, and now want to get back out on the bike. Like an idiot I did not hang the bike up off the ground so it has been sitting there without air for 3 years. The tires are Continental Grand Prix 3000s. They've been sitting there folded over under the rims the whole time. I just aired them up and see no visible damage. Should I be concerned or just ride the heck out of them and wait to see flats or a sidewall split? I don't want to take a fall during a separation.

If the tires show no cracks in the sidewalls, then you have no worries, despite the alarmist ranting of Phat&SlowVelo :) However, you might want to check the inner tubes. If they show any abrasion or signs of cracking, toss 'em.

I would ride them. Three years is not a long time.

I've saved a bunch of 3 to 5 year old GP3000 take offs. If yours blow I've got you covered.

I've saved a bunch of 3 to 5 year old GP3000 take offs. If yours blow I've got you covered.

If you are changing the tubes, do the tires too. Might as well, you got them off the bike. Plus it buys peace of mind to change both. And, since you hung up your bike, Continental went to the GP4000 -- you don't want to be left behind? :eek:

I would also check the truing of the wheels. And, the condition of the brake pads.

If you are changing the tubes, do the tires too. Might as well, you got them off the bike. Plus it buys peace of mind to change both. And, since you hung up your bike, Continental went to the GP4000 -- you don't want to be left behind? :eek:

I would also check the truing of the wheels. And, the condition of the brake pads.

I fully agree. in fact, the OP might as well get the wheels replaced. check out the guy on the wheel forum who's complaining about Mike Garcia. he bought some wheels, stored them for two years, and now the tension is all out of whack and he broke a spoke nipple.

I've had tires in storage for that long and the main problem I had was dry rotting. You wouldn't necessarily see cracks but the rubber would flake off in fine particles and you'll lose tread much faster than normal.

If the tires show no cracks in the sidewalls, then you have no worries, despite the alarmist ranting of Phat&SlowVelo :) However, you might want to check the inner tubes. If they show any abrasion or signs of cracking, toss 'em.
Alarmist ranting...guilty as charged.:blush2:

Check the sidewalls. Rubber should be fine. They still age tubulars. My commuter has some 15 year old tires on it.

interestingly enough, I saw a special on TV about the TDF and "hardware" and there was a "tire dealer" who literally refused to part with a tire until it was aged properly. He had a cellar room like a wine cellar with a controlled enviroment for aging them...not sure what it did but just thought I'd mention it.

Touch0Gray

I saw a similar TV program regarding the aging of tires in a cellar. I think it was for Lance's team. The guy actually kept them next to his wine.

I talked with the local bike shop tech around the corner and he agreed that I should just ride them and inspect after each ride. "If you don't see the threads your fine," is what he mentioned. So I'll do that. I just cant part with $40 tires that only had 300 miles of ride time on them. I'll definitely change out the tubes. Good point Weiwentg, I'll give the spokes a once over to make sure nothing is wrong there. Just ordered some new pedals to switch from SPD to Look ARC cleats. The SPDs were original to the 97 frame. Get with the technology eh.

Good input gang, appreciate it.

Sorry to steal the thread but waht about new clincher tires that have been stored folded for a couple of years? I have a few Michelin PR2's that I bought en masse from PBK when they were very cheap. Would it be better to store them unfolded? I'm curious if some sort of defect or weakness will develop at the folds in the tires.

I talked with the local bike shop tech around the corner and he agreed that I should just ride them and inspect after each ride. "If you don't see the threads your fine," is what he mentioned. So I'll do that. I just cant part with $40 tires that only had 300 miles of ride time on them. I'll definitely change out the tubes. Good point Weiwentg, I'll give the spokes a once over to make sure nothing is wrong there. Just ordered some new pedals to switch from SPD to Look ARC cleats. The SPDs were original to the 97 frame. Get with the technology eh.



klhouston,

I was trying to be ironic, but I keep forgetting that certain expressions don't come off so well on the computer. you can check the wheels if you want, but they'll be in the same shape they were when you stopped riding. I was poking fun at some first-time poster and moron who posted this really over-the-top criticism of one of the well-known wheelbuilders on this forum. he even wrote a poem.

Sorry to steal the thread but waht about new clincher tires that have been stored folded for a couple of years? I have a few Michelin PR2's that I bought en masse from PBK when they were very cheap. Would it be better to store them unfolded? I'm curious if some sort of defect or weakness will develop at the folds in the tires.

As long as the tires were stored in a cool, dry place, and away from ozone generators, you will have no problems with a 2 yr old tire, clincher or tubular, even when stored folded.

Touch0Gray

I saw a similar TV program regarding the aging of tires in a cellar. I think it was for Lance's team. The guy actually kept them next to his wine.

I talked with the local bike shop tech around the corner and he agreed that I should just ride them and inspect after each ride. "If you don't see the threads your fine," is what he mentioned. So I'll do that. I just cant part with $40 tires that only had 300 miles of ride time on them. I'll definitely change out the tubes. Good point Weiwentg, I'll give the spokes a once over to make sure nothing is wrong there. Just ordered some new pedals to switch from SPD to Look ARC cleats. The SPDs were original to the 97 frame. Get with the technology eh.

Good input gang, appreciate it.


yup that's the one...frankly....my wine is way fresher than my tires!