Front tyre problem?

RickG said:

Are the lumpy bits soft in the sense they can be pushed down with your fingers? They look a bit like raised blisters indicating the tread is delaminating from the carcass....

If they are as hard as the tread block next to them, well I've no idea. Bizarre.

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London Mole said:

Strange thing, my front tyre (Michelin Anakee TL, approx. 9.000miles) also shows those weird shapes, not as obvious as you but noticeable nonetheless...

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Gatesy said:

Thanks for the photos. My blebs are on the left side only, when viewed from the saddle, which could indicate an effect by the camber (here in France) which is usually steeper that uk on country lanes.
Your blebs seem to cover adjecent blocks left to right. Do they repeat around the tyre like mine?

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Gatesy said:

Having gotten used to strange wear patterns on front tyres, usually leading edge of each block wears more than trailing edge etc, I am puzzled by the current effect. The blebs are about the size of a pound coin and repeat every second tread block right round the tyre. The fine groove that can be seen also extends right round and appears to be connected in some way to the blebs.
Question is, is this a defect, is it safe to continue using, or am I unduly worried. Tyre is Annakee 2 with about 6-7K on it.

Hope the photos appear, this is my first attempt at an upload.

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Wapping said:

Call Michelin.

Campbell Road Tel: 017 82401853
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 4EY

They are very helpful on the phone.

They will tell you, without a doubt.

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Gatesy said:

Took your advice, the people at Michelin were only too pleased to try and help and after 2 days I received the following reply;



Please see comments below from our inspection dept.

"Looking at the photos we cannot say for sure if the damage is a wear problem or something else.

We would not advise from a photograph that the customer continues to use the tyre and would advise the tyre be returned to Q/TB so we can give a definite answer."

Sort of what I expected really as a visual inspection is the only valid method of deciding on what is after all a safety issue.

Many thanks to all who responded to my query, some with photos. Based on the response from GSers I think I will continue to use the tyre and monitor it closely for any signs of deterioration.

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Gatesy said:

Took your advice, the people at Michelin were only too pleased to try and help and after 2 days I received the following reply;



Please see comments below from our inspection dept.

"Looking at the photos we cannot say for sure if the damage is a wear problem or something else.

We would not advise from a photograph that the customer continues to use the tyre and would advise the tyre be returned to Q/TB so we can give a definite answer."

Sort of what I expected really as a visual inspection is the only valid method of deciding on what is after all a safety issue.

Many thanks to all who responded to my query, some with photos. Based on the response from GSers I think I will continue to use the tyre and monitor it closely for any signs of deterioration.

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London Mole said:

Strange thing, my front tyre (Michelin Anakee TL, approx. 9.000miles) also shows those weird shapes, not as obvious as you but noticeable nonetheless...

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Kenny Rodkiss said:

Prob old age or arthritis........how on earth do you get 9000 mls out of a tyre and still have tread on it.

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Wapping said:

Excellent

So you get a prompt reply from Michelin and advised not to use it / return it to them..... and then decide to follow the advice from UKGSer.... you could have decided that yourself without any third party input, surely?

Penny to a pound says Michelin will refund the cost of a new tyre while it is returned to them. But by all means monitor away......

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