Topic: Flat tire survival?

[Don R]

 Not me, the tire, I had a front flat on a pretty new (low mile) Continental RB2, I needed to get off of a ramp and rode it another block to get out of traffic, by the time I got stopped it was totally flat and warm.
 I tried to find another one but alas, there will be no more made. What are the odds this one isn't ruined?
 The only ribbed tires I can find are Duro or IRC, are either a good substitute on a bike that will dry rot a tire before wearing it out?  I was hoping to find something that looked original since it's on an original appearing  bike.

[bryanj]

Metzeler do(did) one

[Don R]

 Thanks, I ordered a Metzler block C. I have an old race bike that lives on a shelf, I might put the RB2 on it.

[PeWe]

We have these old style front tires here.
My K2 has the Heidenau front that look almost like the Metzeler ME11.

Avon temporarily out of stock


 

[Don R]

 I'm not a fan of the Avon, due to early dry rot, The RB2 or Conti-twin is no more, there's one RB2 on ebay for double price. I'm not convinced that my old tire is junk but it might be.

[BenelliSEI]

Don…. Did the sidewalls take a beating? If it shows no cracks, mount it up and try it around the neighbourhood for a while. Tires are a lot tougher than we think.

[seanbarney41]

I have had dozens of Avons...never had a problem of any sort with dry rot...but then, I ride my bikes a lot and use up tires fast.  I have noticed that if there is any chance of a 30 year old tire still having good rubber, it's gonna be a Continental. 

I have a minty KZ650c wth less than 4k miles I am working on right now.  The original Dunlops are still mounted, of course dry rotted, hard as a rock, and dangerous.  I think I am gonna do some Dunlop K81's.  Not a ribbed front but should look great on the cast aluminum wheels.

[The Lone Builder]

We have these old style front tires here.
My K2 has the Heidenau front that look almost like the Metzeler ME11.

Avon temporarily out of stock


 

I recently tried to find a Metzeler ME11 but it wasn't available anywhere. Also doesn't show up on their website any longer.

[Stev-o]

I'm not a fan of the Avon, due to early dry rot...

That was an issue but no more. I have one on my Z1 that is 10 years old and showing slight wear, I will replace it this winter due to the age.

[Don R]

 I must admit what I know about the Avon dry rot issue is more what my two favorite shop owners have said than my own personal experience. I got the Metzler Block C front tire yesterday, I'm going to mount it on a 750A rim.

[HondaMan]

I got one of the dry-rott-able Avons, too. It's been some years ago that it happened, and seemed to be a 1-season thing. After it rotted (that following winter season) I bought another Avon because they published a "message" about it, and someone in UK posted it here, I think? Anyway, after that episode they have been golden, if you can get one. Not many left around, I guess.

[Don R]

 I tried to toss a new to me 750A rim on the nugget until the flat gets repaired, it had a 3.50X19 on it and it didn't want to pass the brake caliper. I had another tire waiting to go on my blue-green K0 so I used it instead.
 The rear off that same frame is a 4.50X17 on an A rim. I guess that's why he used an A swingarm.
 
 

[PeWe]

I have used 3.50X19 on my K6 with stock size rim in the 80's.
I had to mount wheel on fork without air.