Cool and dry and dark can help iff the tire genetically and phenotypically is designed to not deteriorate on its own. Something like paper: Acid-free turned out to be key, and maybe most of what was necessary. UV radiation may cure the glue my dentist uses, but is likely hell on rubber..
I'm pleased I took an ebay chance on lightly-used Specialized Turbo LS tires 622-28 tires I've since put 2K miles on, with just one flat. They were likely 15+ years old when I got them. (A sign of their era is that the true size is 622-23.) I have a new pair of 20 year old Specialized foldables, still boxed, which look new.
Then, there is the lore of aging tubular tires before use, as though they cured. And maybe the materials of tires from the day, with those tires, did just that.
The bike parts review sites are replete with stories of contemporary tires self-destructing within a year of first use.
Harry Travis Washington, DC USA
said Harry Travis, stirred by:
"accobra" <accobra@peoplepc.com>'s message of:
Wednesday 11 Jun 08 at 09:36 AM,
On: Re: [CR]Preserving Vintage Tires
[echoed below, in part<=1]
-oOo-
>Rob, I think the quick answer for preserving tires is to keep them in
>a cool, dark, dry place. Heat will definitely hurt them over time. It
>seems I remember a friend using talc under the under his wheel covers
>in the 1970's. I don't know if that is still a good idea or not.
>Anyone else know? The same guy also taught me to keep a light amount
>of air (20 to 40 lbs) in the tires while mounted on hanging rims.
>Needless to say, tires won't do well sitting flat with no air on the
>floor with the weight of a bike on them.
>Someone else in our CR group might be able to offer enhanced methods
>for preserving rubber.
>It's a good question. Unlike classic car collectors, I sense that
>classic bike collectors (overall) are not tuned-in yet to identifying
>and gathering the correct original tires (where applicable) for their
>bikes. We should be. At least for bikes in our collections that are
>regulated to static display.
>Mark Winkelman
>Dallas, Texas USA
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Rob Weiser" <miawahlum@comcast.net>
>To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 5:14 AM
>Subject: [CR]Preserving Vintage Tires
>> Hello,
>>
>>
>>
>> Just looking for a reliable way to preserve and store vintage tires. I
>> bought some Saturae rims that came with some really nice Specialized
>> Gumwall
>> Turbos. I would give the tires a usage rating of under 10% as they still
>> have some of the little rubber pieces sticking up on the side of the
>> tires.
>> Anyways I will use these tires for exhibition/photo shoots only for my
>> Early
>> Allez and want to keep them from drying out and cracking. Any good ideas?
>>
>>
>>
>> Rob Weiser
>>
>> Miami, Florida
>>
>> USA
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
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>> 11:17 AM
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
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>_______________________________________________
HPT -- ----------------------------------------------------------- travis.dot.harry.trying.gmail.com DemostiX