Age after just a few years? Really, how many is a few years on the average for you? Because I had to use my emergency spare tire I keep in seat bag back in May that is about 12 years old, and it's still perfect, flexible, no cracks, no peeling, tread and sidewall still supple, even held 110psi with no problems, and rode on it for 38 miles. Whats really weird, is that I have an original tire that came with my 87 Miyata 712 and it still holds air...but it's got a bunch of cracks on the side walls so I wouldn't ride on it, but it's a cheaper tire then the spare. So is a few years between 12 and 23 years, like maybe 18 years? It will be interesting how long my Torelli ultralight racing tire I use for a spare will last.