Is such bending acceptable?

[Roman]

Hi,I am attachibg photo of this 26x1.2 folding tyre I just bought.The question is whether this white bending marks indicate damaged rubber after it was stored or packaged too tight.Should I try to mount it on the wheel or return and ask for a refund? I am also worried because the minimum pressure indicated is 87 psi,which is pretty high.

 

[BikeGremlin]

Hi,I am attachibg photo of this 26x1.2 folding tyre I just bought.The question is whether this white bending marks indicate damaged rubber after it was stored or packaged too tight.Should I try to mount it on the wheel or return and ask for a refund? I am also worried because the minimum pressure indicated is 87 psi,which is pretty high.

It could be just surface marks from packaging, handling, or traces of release agent that's put on mould during manufacturing so that the tyre doesn't get stuck to the mould.

I would try unfolding it, even mounting and inflating it to check if it looks OK.

Noting just in case:
As far as I can tell from the photos, the mounted tyre pictures show a tyre that wasn't seated properly - or it wasn't yet inflated fully yet (optimal tyre pressure). I could be wrong - can't really see the mounting marks, just looking at the white letters (how to mount a tyre - and mounting marks).

P.S.
For what it's worth, I find 1.75" (47 mm) to be the optimal width for the 26" tyres, especially for slick profile tyres on paved roads. They aren't to big and heavy, but are still big enough to make the total wheel diameter be a tad bigger, make comfortable ride, grip well, and 26" tubes are usually made for such wider tyres - i.e. they are easier to find than the smaller tubes for narrow 26" tyres (tube sizes and valve standards).

 

[VlPo]

Hi,I am attachibg photo of this 26x1.2 folding tyre I just bought.The question is whether this white bending marks indicate damaged rubber after it was stored or packaged too tight.Should I try to mount it on the wheel or return and ask for a refund? I am also worried because the minimum pressure indicated is 87 psi,which is pretty high.

My Vittoria and Maxxis have similar white marks on the bends. This does not cause any problems during operation.

 

[Roman]

It could be just surface marks from packaging, handling, or traces of release agent that's put on mould during manufacturing so that the tyre doesn't get stuck to the mould.

I would try unfolding it, even mounting and inflating it to check if it looks OK.

Noting just in case:
As far as I can tell from the photos, the mounted tyre pictures show a tyre that wasn't seated properly - or it wasn't yet inflated fully yet (optimal tyre pressure). I could be wrong - can't really see the mounting marks, just looking at the white letters (how to mount a tyre - and mounting marks).

P.S.
For what it's worth, I find 1.75" (47 mm) to be the optimal width for the 26" tyres, especially for slick profile tyres on paved roads. They aren't to big and heavy, but are still big enough to make the total wheel diameter be a tad bigger, make comfortable ride, grip well, and 26" tubes are usually made for such wider tyres - i.e. they are easier to find than the smaller tubes for narrow 26" tyres (tube sizes and valve standards).

Actually,I found the tube for 30-38mm 26'ers,just wanted to try if there will be much improvement in rolling resistance with narrower tyres.
Yes,seating these tyres evenly on the rim seems a bit tricky even after I massage it on low pressure.Is the process of mounting folding tyres any different than those with cord? It also seems like pinching the tube is pretty "easy" with folding ones.

 

[BikeGremlin]

Actually,I found the tube for 30-38mm 26'ers,just wanted to try if there will be much improvement in rolling resistance with narrower tyres.
Yes,seating these tyres evenly on the rim seems a bit tricky even after I massage it on low pressure.Is the process of mounting folding tyres any different than those with cord? It also seems like pinching the tube is pretty "easy" with folding ones.

The process is basically the same - only some folding tyres are a bit more difficult to get on without pinching the tube. In other words: it's perfectly normal to have a bit more hassle with kevlar tyres, especially when they are mounted for the first time.

Regarding the rolling resistance - my 2c on whether the narrower tyres are actually faster (TL/DR - there is a point of diminishing returns when going narrower or wider than optimal).

 

[Roman]

I managed to seat the tyre evenly,but now I see these "threads" where the key is pointing.Is it normal?

 

[BikeGremlin]

I managed to seat the tyre evenly,but now I see these "threads" where the key is pointing.Is it normal?

It is the casing threads texture covered with a thin layer of rubber. Perfectly normal.

Pictures and explanation of faulty and worn tyres:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/9003/when-to-replace-bicycle-tyres/