Qu: Do Tyres Stretch Over Time

[Cycling Badger]

I have a set of tyres with folding beads.
Easy enough to get on and off without leavers.
Puncture last week, replaced tube (snakebite)* and tried to reseat tyre.
The tyre seemed too big for the rim diameter and I had to mount it a couple of times to get it centred and bead engaged.
I've used these tyres multiple times before, and I swap tyres in and out depending on ride.
The tread has mileage left, and I didn't notice any obvious sidewall damage.
I'm off to give the bead a better inspection.

My question is has anyone experienced a tyre with folding bead stretch so that they become to loose relative to wheel diameter.



*Snakebite : Turns out that even if the on-line calculator states 55 PSI, you still need to check minimum pressure on sidewall of tyre! In this case it was 60 PSI. Updated my tyre pressure notes to inflate to 65 PSI to give a margin for error. (Beside being bloody obvious, I very much suspect this advise is given on the on-line app, but I just didn't read it.)

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Tyres always get easier to remove / fit after use. That tyre that was hard to fit the first time, but easier the next time. Likely only a matter of mm. But never loose enough the bead doesn’t sit right in the rim.

 

[rogerzilla]

Folding tyres seem to.stretch a lot more than wire-beaded tyres. About two weeks inflated on a rim tames most very tight tyres.

 

[Webbo2]

I had a GP 5000 on a 50mm carbon rim for over a year. I punctured and when I replaced the tube I had a right battle to get the tyre back on the rim even with a tyre glider. Ended with bleeding knuckles due to catching them on the spokes. So not all tyres stretch with age.
However I replaced my front tyre a Pirelli with like for like and it’s the first tyre in years I have managed to get with just my thumbs.
So if they get looser it probably blown off the rim by now.😂😂😂😂

 

[Cycling Badger]

Didn’t get around to removing and inspecting tyre this evening.
However, when I say loose, I mean rattling round the wheel loose.
It was almost as if the tyre was the wrong size (which it isn’t).
Inclined to remove as matter of caution.

 

[rogerzilla]

I had a GP 5000 on a 50mm carbon rim for over a year. I punctured and when I replaced the tube I had a right battle to get the tyre back on the rim even with a tyre glider. Ended with bleeding knuckles due to catching them on the spokes. So not all tyres stretch with age.
However I replaced my front tyre a Pirelli with like for like and it’s the first tyre in years I have managed to get with just my thumbs.
So if they get looser it probably blown off the rim by now.😂😂😂😂

The bead can't get looser than 622mm.

 

[Pblakeney]

They should get easier to fit, but still fit.
I wouldn’t be too concerned about uninflated fit but if the beads do not sit correctly while inflated then something is wrong.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I've used these tyres multiple times before, and I swap tyres in and out depending on ride.

Besides the observations above about tyres easing off once on a rim and used, multiple swapping off and on will, I reckon, have a progressive though diminishing loosening effect. And if they could be got on and off without levers from the start, they're already not on the tight side (rim/tyre combo).
You don't say what width these are but I'm assuming 28s.

 

[Cycling Badger]

Besides the observations above about tyres easing off once on a rim and used, multiple swapping off and on will, I reckon, have a progressive though diminishing loosening effect. And if they could be got on and off without levers from the start, they're already not on the tight side (rim/tyre combo).
You don't say what width these are but I'm assuming 28s.

The tyres are Donnelly X'Plor USH 700 x 35 (folding bead) and are a good match for the internal rim width.
Have about 3 sets of these over the years and they suit the kind of riding I do.
Looks as if they've been discontinued.
Now looking at Specialized Pathfinder TLR as a replacement - which is a pain as until I actually ride on them I won't know if they're a good choice for me.

Meantime, new stays for mudguards arrive tomorrow. This will be a good time to fettle and have a good look at the tyre. But given the bead popped off the rim when inflating at the roadside, I think the tyre will be getting replaced tomorrow.

 

[Cycling Badger]

Tyres were kaput - the beads were past it and they've now been retired to bin.
Not sure how they got in that state as I restrict the use tyre levers to mounting Marathon Plus!
Shame as the their was still life in the tread.