Life of unused tyres

[prettybillie]

I've been offered two sets of tyres at an amazing price, however I won't need them for a long time as my new bike has got brand new tyres on. How long can a set of tyres sit around unused before the start perishing???? There's not point in buying them - even though they are a real steal - if they are going to go kaka before I can use them!!!!

[MSTRS:Me]

If you pop them somewhere cool and dark, they should be good for (maybe) 3 years. Back of a wardrobe is good

[Hazza]

I've been offered two sets of tyres at an amazing price, however I won't need them for a long time as my new bike has got brand new tyres on. How long can a set of tyres sit around unused before the start perishing???? There's not point in buying them - even though they are a real steal - if they are going to go kaka before I can use them!!!!

Id say they will be sweet for at least a year. But i guess it depends on where you store them

[Anarkist]

You can store them on my bike, I'll look after them.

[prettybillie]

You can store them on my bike, I'll look after them.

Well I could get you a really good price for them if you want them????? I'm sure my friend will offer them to you at the same price they've been offered to me?????

[Gremlin]

Its all about keeping the tyres in a good environment, out of direct sunlight, off concrete floors etc.

If the temperature is constant etc, it all helps.

I've had tyre supply problems twice in the last few months, so now the shop stores an extra set of tyres for me, that I fit as I need, and the next pair gets ordered at the same time (hopefully ensuring supply)

edit: I believe the tyres will harden a little bit during storage, so hopefully mileage is extended a little...

[Warr]

Its all about keeping the tyres in a good environment, out of direct sunlight, off concrete floors etc.

If the temperature is constant etc, it all helps.

Whats with the concrete floor bit. My garage floor is just an extension of the house, all weather & damp proofed.
I have a new tyre under the bench but its in contact with the floor. Are you saying it should be off my floor ??

[The Stranger:Me]

If you pop them somewhere cool and dark, they should be good for (maybe) 3 years. Back of a wardrobe is good

When looking for info on this on the Internet previously the only apparently authoritative info I could find was for the storage of aircraft tyres. The manufacturer also stated cool and dark and minimal air flow.
They didn't specifically suggest the back of a wardrobe, but it would appear that is a good place.
The other thing to consider to minimise air flow and maintain dark is a large black plastic rubbish bag.

[The Stranger:Me]

I've been offered two sets of tyres at an amazing price, however I won't need them for a long time as my new bike has got brand new tyres on.

2 sets of tyres + the set that's on there now - say 6 months.
They'll easily last that long.

[sunhuntin]

ive had a spare back tyre under my bed for a good 2 years now... never even thought about it perishing or anything!

[Gubb]

What are the Tyres? I'm after a set at the moment.

[the mouse]

Who's to say they haven't already sat on a shelf for a couple of years.



Good cause for tyre manufacturers have a "manufacture date" on them, well if they do, it's in Chinese, and i can't read it?


Found this in a thread at another site ...
"Popular mechanics wrote a rather un popular artical to date tire shelf life, and they determined 6 years was it. it might look good at that date, but the oils will have seen better days and will be gone, so the tire will rot in sun, acid rain, and things man adds to road surfaces like sulfer base chems from exhaust."

Reading that it sounds like tyre life from fitted new, not actually shelf life. Would depend on variables the tyre is made of i guess soft/hard compound and where it's stored. The manufacturers ( and salepeople)should be able to tell you honestly, it is a safety issue

[chester]

What are the Tyres? I'm after a set at the moment.

how many K's did you get out of th dunlops?

[boman]

You can check the date of manufacture. All tyres that I have seen come with them embossed somewhere on the sidewall of the tyre. Generally a three or four digit number e.g. 1401 meaning 14th week 2001 or 145 meaning 14 week 1995. 99% have been in numerical form.

Storage for tyres should be in a cool dry place with a fairly constant temperature. Moisture will over time cause the inner air liner to start to come apart, whilst heat and sunlight generally degrade the rubber that makes up both the tread and the sidewall. I would say that a couple of years for a bike tyre stored would be ok. Any longer than that remember you only have two tyres in contact with the road, so don’t take too many chances.

[Gremlin]

Whats with the concrete floor bit. My garage floor is just an extension of the house, all weather & damp proofed.
I have a new tyre under the bench but its in contact with the floor. Are you saying it should be off my floor ??

Concrete floors are susceptible to moisture, which can work its way into the tyre. The temperatures of concrete floors can also vary, depending how close a heat source (aka the sun) is from the area the tyre is on.

Its the same reasoning as when putting a bike in storage. If possible, ideal to lift the bike off the floor.