How to store bike tires

How to Store Different Types of Bike Tires

Let's start with a few general recommendations.

- Store in a dry, dark place: Avoid direct sunlight and humidity.

- Keep away from extreme temperatures: Avoid storing below 0°C (freezing) or in excessive heat.

- Avoid ozone exposure: Air conditioners and electrical equipment can generate ozone, which accelerates tire degradation.

- Keep away from chemicals: Do not store near solvents, fuels, or strong chemicals that can damage rubber compounds.

Storing Tubeless Ready Tires

If you are planning to go on holiday for a long period, we recommend that you remove your Tubeless Ready tires and also the sealant inside. If you've only been using this fluid for a short time, you can store it in a closed container to prevent it coming into prolonged contact with the air.

Why is it important to remove the tire before storage?

Because if the tire remains mounted and static for a long period of time, the fluid will accumulate at the bottom of the tire. And as the tire gradually loses its pressure, it will deflate at the very point where the fluid has settled, allowing air to enter. On contact with the air, the liquid will harden... if it hasn't already spilled outside the tire!

If the liquid has coagulated, it will obviously no longer be able to seal the tire.

If you're coming back after a long period and hadn't thought to take the precautionary steps mentioned above, we recommend that you take a bead out of the tire and check the state of your sealant before setting off on your bike. If the fluid is still in the tire, simply replace the bead, reinflate and ride. If the fluid has already coagulated, remove all the residue (you can do this quite easily by scraping with a fingernail). Then reinject new sealant.

Storing Tubetype Tires (With Inner Tubes)

If they are fitted, avoid leaving them like this for too long. Over time, they will deflate and the weight of the bike will eventually create small cracks. If you can't dismantle the wheels and hang them up, the best thing to do is to turn your bike over.

Should Tubetype tires be folded before storage?

When storing Tubetype tires, make sure you fold them as they were in their original packaging. A tire with a soft bead that has been demounted can be folded, but you should never fold tires with a rigid bead.

If you have bought tires that were originally folded, there is no need to keep them unfolded for storage. If you know you won't be using them straight away, you can fold them without any problem. However, if the tire is still in its original packaging, there is no reason to take it out.

Storing Tubular Tires

Tubular tires should be stored in the same way as rigid beaded tires. Do not fold them and hang them up in a dry place away from light.

We'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few precautions to take with tubular tires before you ride them for the first time. Tubular tires are not manufactured in the same way as Tubetype tires: since solvents are applied at the factory, it's important to let them evaporate before the first use: before rolling, inflate your tire (not necessarily to maximum pressure) so as to stretch the casings and leave it for 24 hours. This time is necessary for the solvents to evaporate completely.

How Long Can You Keep Bike Tires?

Michelin recommends that tires be removed from service ten years from the date of manufacture. The ageing of a tire depends on the conditions in which it has been stored and the way in which it has been used. For example, a new tire parked or stored next to a transformer can show, in just a few days, irreversible sidewall damage (cracking), which will affect its performance and pressure resistance. So be sure to follow our advice to preserve your stored tires for as long as possible!