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My bicycle has a stainless steel self lubricating chain but I know where you're coming from. lots of people are put off by the idea of maintenance of their not

My bicycle has a stainless steel self lubricating chain but I know where you're coming from. lots of people are put off by the idea of maintenance of their not very often ridden bicycle. They will still be disappointed when they get this one out of the garage next summer to find the tyres are flat and splitting.

emn13 10y ago
Why would a bike in storage deteriorate that much more quickly than one in use? You do need to store the tires inflated, but I use one set of tires for years, and I keep the bike outdoors in all weather and use it daily. I do get the impression bike tires have gotten better over the years, because I don't remember tires being that robust in my childhood (but, well, memory and all...).
- Symbiote 10y ago
  Tyres may be left in a garage or shed, where they're susceptible to direct sunlight and/or ozone.
  - emiliobumachar 10y ago
    Ozone? Could you please elaborate? What's with storage that increases ozone exposure?
    - Symbiote 10y ago
      Electric motors in a garage or storage room (e.g. for a heating system) might be a source of ozone, or sunlight on oils and solvents. The storage itself isn't the problem, it's the higher-than-average level of ozone in typical places rarely used bicycles might be stored. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking
bradgessler 10y ago
Do tires exist that don't have these problems? Perhaps something made of a hard foam that doesn't deteriorate while stored?
- bluedino 10y ago
  They had hard foam tire bikes when I was a kid but they didn't last long. And solid rubber tires are heavy. Decreasing rotating mass on a bicycle is always a good thing.
- jessaustin 10y ago
  I've found that keeping tires out of the sun makes the biggest difference. If kept out of the sun, bike tires can last a long time. One time I bought a bunch at the same time, and over the years I've regularly gotten one or two out of storage and found them satisfactory.
- achamayou 10y ago
  Yes they do, for example: http://www.tannus.com http://www.tannus.com The trade off is that they're somewhat heavier and have more rolling resistance than a good air-filled tire.

emn13 10y ago

Why would a bike in storage deteriorate that much more quickly than one in use? You do need to store the tires inflated, but I use one set of tires for years, and I keep the bike outdoors in all weather and use it daily. I do get the impression bike tires have gotten better over the years, because I don't remember tires being that robust in my childhood (but, well, memory and all...).

Symbiote 10y ago
Tyres may be left in a garage or shed, where they're susceptible to direct sunlight and/or ozone.
- emiliobumachar 10y ago
  Ozone? Could you please elaborate? What's with storage that increases ozone exposure?
  - Symbiote 10y ago
    Electric motors in a garage or storage room (e.g. for a heating system) might be a source of ozone, or sunlight on oils and solvents. The storage itself isn't the problem, it's the higher-than-average level of ozone in typical places rarely used bicycles might be stored. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone_cracking

bradgessler 10y ago

Do tires exist that don't have these problems? Perhaps something made of a hard foam that doesn't deteriorate while stored?

bluedino 10y ago
They had hard foam tire bikes when I was a kid but they didn't last long. And solid rubber tires are heavy. Decreasing rotating mass on a bicycle is always a good thing.
jessaustin 10y ago
I've found that keeping tires out of the sun makes the biggest difference. If kept out of the sun, bike tires can last a long time. One time I bought a bunch at the same time, and over the years I've regularly gotten one or two out of storage and found them satisfactory.
achamayou 10y ago
Yes they do, for example: http://www.tannus.com http://www.tannus.com The trade off is that they're somewhat heavier and have more rolling resistance than a good air-filled tire.