A few years ago I bought a ‘new’ Michelin X-11 (radial trials tyre).
I did not even look at the date code, since I just assumed it was new. I was out riding (dirt of course) and got to a spot that takes a 90º turn and goes right up a quite steep hill, with tiny roots etc. It is pretty slick and tricky. But normally I had no issues riding up it- just controll throttle/clutch/traction.
Well, I couldn’t make it up. My buddies couldn’t make it up. Even at 1psi it wouldn’t work.
I couldn’t figure out what the issue was, then though of looking at date code. It was something like 10 years old. total junk now.
I took it off and put on a new tyre with recent date code- went up the next week and cruised right up. I think forgot about it and decided to try it on another bike. Same result.
Another time I was following a guy on a Montesa and he was having a lot of traction issues, I was having none. I asked about his pressure (3-4psi) then suggested he check date code. It was some 6 years old. He installed a new one and the next week he had no issues.
I did not even look at the date code, since I just assumed it was new. I was out riding (dirt of course) and got to a spot that takes a 90º turn and goes right up a quite steep hill, with tiny roots etc. It is pretty slick and tricky. But normally I had no issues riding up it- just controll throttle/clutch/traction.
Well, I couldn’t make it up. My buddies couldn’t make it up. Even at 1psi it wouldn’t work.
I couldn’t figure out what the issue was, then though of looking at date code. It was something like 10 years old. total junk now.
I took it off and put on a new tyre with recent date code- went up the next week and cruised right up. I think forgot about it and decided to try it on another bike. Same result.
Another time I was following a guy on a Montesa and he was having a lot of traction issues, I was having none. I asked about his pressure (3-4psi) then suggested he check date code. It was some 6 years old. He installed a new one and the next week he had no issues.
