Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:47:15 -0500 From: "Lewis Ting" <lewisting@comcast.net> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Subject: [CR]How To Preserve Seta Tires?
I apologize in advance if this question has been covered before, but I would like to know what is the best way to preserve my Clement Seta tires. I have two sets that are already mounted on rims, my questions are:
- Should it be kept inflated? - Should modern chemicals such as Armor-all be used? - Should they be kept in low humidity? - Other than UV, what else tends to degrade silk?
Thanks,
Lewis Ting Chicago, Illinois
Two more things: keep them away from electrical motors (i.e. furnace blowers in basements, air compressor motors, etc.). Electric motors create ozone when they run, and ozone destroys rubber. Second, keep them off of any bare concrete floors. Contact with concrete can cause dry rot. Try to hang them in a dark, cool place with stable temp. and humidity levels. Storing them on dry rims that are not contaminated with old glue is probably the best way, IMO.
I just damaged an NOS set of Italian yellow-label Criterium Setas this past Winter, because I left them on wheels, standing up, in direct contact with the bare concrete floor - dumb! I should have known better, but sort of "forgot" about this wheelset that was "temporarily" stashed in my basement storage area last Fall. I'm going to try and use them, but they don't look 100%, that's for sure....
These comments apply to any bike tires, basically. Silk is amazingly tough, and probably holds up better in general than cotton does in its "golden years."
Greg Parker
Ann Arbor, Michigan