Advice Needed: New Tires or Keep What I Have

[Mikey1968]

I was about to pull the trigger and get a set of new Blockley tires for my 1926 Touring with wire wheels. I took another look at my existing tires and began to wonder if what I have is fine? I plan to retire in a few years so was thinking replacing while funds were a bit higher. Local driving around dirt and paved roads. My existing tires are Garfields which I believe are really old. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mike

[speedytinc]

I dont see cracking. They look good. If mine, I would clean real good with ajax & a stiff brush, then coat/seal with a thin coat of mop & glo. (thats a vinal top wax substitute)

[TXGOAT2]

If they're nylon or polyester cord, they're probably OK. Cotton cord may have lost strength if they're old. I'd give them a try and if they're not flat-spotted and if dirt roads don't chew up the tread they may be good for many miles.
I'd run 28 PSI in them and keep a sharp eye on them for any sign of failure. Be sure you have a spare and everything needed to change a flat/blowout.

[TWrenn]

Keep em! They'll probly outlive you.
But even if you decide to replace, why Blockleys, when for a very reasonable price you can get those size tires from Snyders or Langs, and again, They'll probly outlive you.

[Mark Gregush]

Might want to actually check on arability. Just because they are listed in the catalog or on web site, does not mean they are in stock. Tires, tubes and flaps have been in short supply for a while now, and would guess, when stock does come in, prices might jump.
My OP, I would keep using them, checking is not cracking.

[Rich P. Bingham]

. . . why Blockleys . . . ?

Because all the kewl kids are getting them !

[Steve Jelf]

...for a very reasonable price you can get those size tires from Snyders or Langs, and again, They'll probly outlive you.

Whether they outlive you depends on how much you drive.

[walber]

Steve - and your genes.

Lucas black 21 x 4.40/4.50 are or at least were in stock last week. Ordered through Lang's at the web site cost and they were drop shipped to me arriving late last week.

[TWrenn]

...for a very reasonable price you can get those size tires from Snyders or Langs, and again, They'll probly outlive you.

Whether they outlive you depends on how much you drive.

Well I do realize how much you drive determines life of tires. I got the impression this fella isn't gonna put even a thousand miles a year on them. Probly not safe to assume, eh?

[Mikey1968]

Thanks for the input...I think I'm convinced to keep the tires. I've read throughout this forum how low quality most tires are and how good the Blockleys are...hence the idea of the Blockleys. Perhaps that quality issues has been solved? Sounds like my older tires are still pretty good bet for cruising around locally. Now I'm thinking of getting a set of Blockleys tubes...I read they are also very high quality and thicker than the others.

By the way, anyone know any info on my Garfield tires? Just curious...did they date code in what I am guessing is the 80s since that is when the prior owner did a restore before the long term storage?

[Henry K. Lee]

Mike I have two like new Garfield tires, real soft made in USA for $200.00 plus shipping.

Hank

[George House]

The tread looks like the old Sears Allstate tires I had on a ‘27 coupe.

[RajoRacer]

There is currently a pair of 21" Allstate tires on the front of my Gramps' 1924 TT - I purchased them for my Dad in 1976 and they still look new - same tread as the Garfield.

[Mikey1968]

Cool! I decided to get Hank's tires for spares. I bought 5 tubes for 225 GBP total. Shipping was a whopping 65 GBP! I figure my old tires better have really good tubes. Two or three of my current tubes have the stems cracking at the rim.

Reminded me of my mountain bike years ago kept getting those thorns that look like little devil heads and going flat so bought those thorn-proof type with extra thick tubes....that helped a lot.

[TXGOAT2]

Goat heads! Western Auto used to sell thick bicycle tubes that would resist goat heads.

[Mikey1968]

Thant's it! If you step on one bare foot....YOUCH!!!!!!!!

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I vote for keeping the tires you've got. If you decide otherwise, I'd be happy to have them on my car

[Norman Kling]

The sidewalls and tread look good. If it were mine I would continue to use them. My oldest set of tires on one of my T's are INSA tires Hecho en Chile. Two were on the car when I bought it in 1989. The other two were found new at a swap meet. The car is parked inside and only goes out when I drive it. So far, not even a flat tire. If they are parked out in the sun, however, they will deteriorate more quickly.
Norm

[Mikey1968]

Thanks, Norm....that's the plan! You guys convinced me I'm good to go with those tires. Thanks to you all! Saved me some $$$ and now even my tires are sorta antique.

[Allan]

I understand that the 21" tyres for 26-7 T's do not suffer the same quality problems as the 30 x 3.5" clinchers, so USA made items should be good. It is the BE tyres of dubious quality that are driving the interest in Blockley tyres. All power to them for listening and responding.

Allan from down under.

[Craig Leach]

Mike,
I have a set of those Garfield's on my firetruck that are 15+ years old. They show no signs of cracking and fair tread on them I have no intension of changing them any time soon and I replace my modern car & trailer tires every 5 years regardless of wear. Just for safety's sake. But those Garfield's seem to last, if they are not cracking and have good traction they may be better than the ones coming from Vietnam.
On the other hand the way supplies are getting it may not hurt to have a set on hand for the future. I'm trying to keep on hand what I'm sure I will need to keep them running as long as I can fix them. Now if I can just remember where I put them. J.M.H.O. Craig

[Mikey1968]

I hear ya...I find a good deal on parts and grab em just in case. Then, forget I have em when I need em! Sighhhhhh. I have 5 good Garfields on the 26 and bought Hank's two for the just in case. Five new tubes on the way from England but rim liners on back order from Lang's.

I have 9 cars, 2 atvs and an antique tractor I spend most of my free time prepping for retirement. It gets overwhelming as I'm still working. So my strategy is to anticipate expensive parts and stage for retirement.

Wish I could find a good set of 26 Touring irons but looks like with more time in retirement, I can repair what I have.

Thanks all!
Mike