I have heard that aging tubulars was a type of vulcanizing, in effect making the rubber a bit more durable, but I've never been able to determine if there is any validity to this or not. It was a very common practice by just about everyone. My brother stuffed tubulars into a cloth bag and hung them from the basement ceiling in the late '60s & early 70s, and I also recall an article about a visit to Colnago's shop and the basement contained stacks of Gommitalia tubulars being aged for later use.
Dave Patrick Chelsea, Michigan
Martin Appel <martin@camelot.de> wrote: Conti says: Ageing was necessary for tires built "old style". The glue used to attach the seam tape and the rubber had to "gas out" for about half a year to achieve maximum durability. It is not necessary for modern style tires like Contis. In fact, these will have their best performance when new and degenerate over time; especially the thread will lose grip and become prone to pick up debris. It is possible to slow down that unwanted ageing by storing tires properly, protected from humidity and light. (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/de/continental/fahrrad/themen/tipps/faq/faq12_de.html, erman only i'm afraid)
I have found that also true for Veloflexes. I'm not 100% sure for Dugasts, since they seem to be built in a very classical manner.
Martin Appel Munich, Germany
Steve Maas schrieb:
> There doesn't appear to be uniform agreement that aging tires is
> necessary. See the FAQ (written by Jobst Brandt) at
> http://draco.acs.uci.edu/
>
> Steve Maas
> Long Beach, California
>
>
> Dennis Young wrote:
>
>> Ted,
>> I am aware of keeping tires stored in a dark room, and if possible on a
>> spare rim, but the ageing thing, what are you ageing?
>>
>> Dennis Young
>> Ageing in a dark room in Hotaka, Japan
>>
>> snip from Ted Ernst post:
>>
>>
>>> There are a few rules with sewups that have to be done if not by the
>>> dealer
>>> then buy the buyer
>>> EVERY sewup should be aged at least 6 months.
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> .