Hutchinson Excel tires "splintering"

It's hard to describe what's happening here. It's a 700cx23 and I've inflated it to 120psi on most
occasions.

You know the label on the tire? The one that's sorta screen-printed on? It's beginning to show
cracks through it, and I'm wondering if it's the rubber underneath expanding. Plus some of the
rubber itself seems to have a splintering effect too. I'll get a picture ASAP, but has anyone else
experienced this?

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <philMuNgEd_lee@hahtmail.com> wrote in message
news:<4WZsb.2427$9S5.252@news.randori.com>...
> It's hard to describe what's happening here. It's a 700cx23 and I've inflated it to 120psi on most
> occasions.
>
> You know the label on the tire? The one that's sorta screen-printed on? It's beginning to show
> cracks through it, and I'm wondering if it's the rubber underneath expanding. Plus some of the
> rubber itself seems to have a splintering effect too. I'll get a picture ASAP, but has anyone else
> experienced this?

I have had the same problem with these tyres. I think it's because of the low tpi casing breaking
down and expanding slightly so the rubber cracks. Keep a close eye on them as you will probably have
a blowout through the sidewall right near the bead long before the tread is worn out. I have had
this happen to several of them so I don't buy them anymore. It's a shame because they have a very
hard wearing tread which still grips quite well and they seem fairly puncture resistant. I'm trying
wire bead Ritchey Comp Race Slicks next, similar weight and cost. Maybe I'll get to wear out the
tread on them!

BTW the recommended max pressure is only 110psi so I guess if you're putting 120 in them the casing
will break even sooner.

Bruce Dickson

To win any race you have to stay on your bike Chris Boardman

> I have had the same problem with these tyres. I think it's because of the low tpi casing breaking
> down and expanding slightly so the rubber cracks. Keep a close eye on them as you will probably
> have a blowout through the sidewall right near the bead long before the tread is worn out. I have
> had this happen to several of them so I don't buy them anymore. It's a shame because they have a
> very hard wearing tread which still grips quite well and they seem fairly puncture resistant.

You've had several blowouts already with these tires?

Thanks so much for the info... will lower my pressures ASAP.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

"Phil, Squid-in-Training" <philMuNgEd_lee@hahtmail.com> wrote in message
news:<MODub.6675$yn.466@news.randori.com>...

> You've had several blowouts already with these tires?
>
> Thanks so much for the info... will lower my pressures ASAP.

Yes I bought about 8 of them and not one of them wore out the tread before failing catastrophically.
All of them except one blew out through the sidewall near the bead, the other one went way out of
shape when the casing failed but it didn't blow out. Luckily I always put my new tyres on the front
and my old front tyres on the back so all of the blowouts were at the back. I did still get a lot of
miles out of the tyres and only ever got one flat due to something sharp penetrating the tread but
it seems a waste to carry all of that extra rubber around with you and never get to use it.

I would be interested to know it other people had the same problem with these tyres. I kept buying
them for a while because I thought I was unlucky and had a couple of bad ones but it seems they all
fail the same way.

Bruce Dickson

Most people have no idea how hard they can work. Donald Kirkendall - exercise physiologist -
University of North Carolina