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I have an Ardent Race tire that's done thousands of miles of service now. Great tire and is reaching the end of its life, but I haven't bothered to replace it just yet. Can you help explain this to me:
Every time I open the garage there's wet splodges of sealant that have bubbled up in about 15 different places on the tire. Wiping some away, there's tiny little cuts in these locations. But the tire does not lose pressure and rides fine. How can the tire be keeping pressure when there are so many cuts that haven't sealed properly? What could have caused so many little cuts?
How can the tire be keeping pressure when there are so many cuts that haven't sealed properly? What could have caused so many little cuts?
I have a few of those on my MTB and it just keeps on going (though not as weepy as yours). Same thing on my road bike rear (country lanes to blame). It's good to know the sealant is doing its job.
Tyres can get loads of tiny cuts over time - it's not just thorns that we have to contend with. Sharp gravel/stones all take their toll.
Cuts are harder to seal than your typical thorn puncture - it's all down to the threads under the rubber, and whether they're damaged.
Personally, I'll be replacing the roadie tyres as there's not much to them in the first place. To be sure to be sure.
IME, when they start weeping like this, it's a sign that they've reached the end of their lifespan. Sooner or later they start puncturing without actually puncturing.
When was the last time you changed the sealant? could be that which has reached the end of it's life.
Ardents are pretty thin all over.
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I had to stop using them as they were pinch flatting once or twice per ride on my hardtail. Even when pumped up to 30+ psi.
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Obviously the rubber that is not part of the tread blocks wears too - and that wear accelerates as the blocks wear away. So you end up with a tyre that cuts at the slightest abrasion. Plus, if I'm right, Ardents are not the thickest casing, so again that general rubber carcass wear will expose small gaps in the lighter weave of the carcass.
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As there's no major issue currently and you like the tyre, keep it on. Just carry a tube, some duct tape around your pump and a tyre boot as backup for when it splits properly.
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I liked how Ardents rode on the rear of my HT, but after the umpteenth pinch flat and moaning from my riding buddies, I binned them. No such issues with Minions - I can pinch them if I really **** them on a sharp rock, but they don't burst at the mere sight of one.