caaron wrote:

I'm riding on a set of Michelin Axial Pro tires that I just love, not only
because they handle well but because they seem to resist flats. Over the
past few years they have been cut or nicked in a bunch of places along the
tire surface, but it hasn't affected handling or their ability to hold air.
Periodically I fill in these cuts or nicks with Goop, which road wear evens
out nicely as I continue riding on them.

My question is this: How do I know when it is time to replace these tires
or when it is no longer safe to ride on them? I ride on the road and
highway shoulders, where there is a lot of junk that can cause flats, but
these tires have proven themselves better than anything I've ever used
(including the kevlar lined tires which seemed to flat at least twice a
week). I've only had one or two flats in the last three years of riding on
them...

Tires are fabric and must only contain your tube so in
theory you can use them until the fabric is rent or lumpy.

In practice, lots of miles leave your tread flat across the
center which is slower and, being thinner, more flat prone.

I have ridden tires until the tread wore through to the
casing below but only rarely - something usually cuts or
bruises the casing long before it wears out.

Try a Michelin Carbon next time- more durable than a Pro
Race and only a little heavier.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971