My bike tires are old and it has been stored outside under the eaves of the garage. The tires have UV cracking. Can that be fixed anyway or do I need to replace them?
Nope. No chance for restoration. As far as being safe to use, it depends on the grade of tire. some have construction that could conceivably be safe and others will fail very quickly.
Armor All and similar DO offer SOME protection, IF applied beforehand. There's nothing you can do now to make the cracks close up again. Tire shine products are aminly about looks, restoring that deep black sheen of new rubber.
The cracking might only be cosmetic. Or, it might be a sign of imminent tire failure. If a tire fails, it could happen at a time when it could cause a fall and possible injury.There is no product that will protect you if your tire sidewalls, the thinnest part of the tire carcass, are breaking down. Yes, there are products that can be used to improve the appearance of car tires, but keep in mind that bicycle tires are paper thin compared to the tires used on cars. If your tire sidewalls should fail as you are leaning into a turn, you will fall, period. So, the question is, are you feeling lucky?
