Would you replace this tire?

[TwoWheelsDC]

So I’ve learned the lesson that I need to keep my road bike and Schwalbe Pro Ones off the towpath. Got a couple of decent cuts no just from 1 mile of it on my commute Friday. Anyway, they’re all just cosmetic AFAICT, but one on the sidewall has me concerned, since it caused a slight bulge. The gash itself isn’t deep, but the bulging...

Anyway, what do you guys think, would you continue riding this and just keep an eye on it? Replace immediately? I run these around 90 psi, so not super high pressure, but given my weight I don’t run them on the low end. I’d wager they’re at about 80psi in the photos below.

[jrenaut]

That's the kind of thing where you can probably get a few hundred miles out of it, but when it goes, no amount of patching is going to get you home.

[Steve O]

You could try booting it, which would distribute the pressure around the cut. Use a real boot, not a dollar bill.

[hozn]

I would replace it, because I'd pay the $20 penalty (assuming these are around half life?) to avoid the impending inconvenience caused by the flat.

[n18]

Replace it. Imagine going 25+ MPH downhill, and what sort of injury you would get vs 10 MPH. A new tire is cheaper than your skin and bones.

[TwoWheelsDC]

I would replace it, because I'd pay the $20 penalty (assuming these are around half life?) to avoid the impending inconvenience caused by the flat.

That's the thing...this tire is basically brand new (which is why I really wish it didn't need to be replaced). This is now the second low-mileage Pro 1 I've had to replace due to major damage that I think a more durable tire would've shrugged off. I have a couple of spares (bought on sale) that I guess I'll just go ahead and use, but unfortunately these tires seem to be living up (down?) to the stories I've read about poor durability.

[Vicegrip]

That's the thing...this tire is basically brand new (which is why I really wish it didn't need to be replaced). This is now the second low-mileage Pro 1 I've had to replace due to major damage that I think a more durable tire would've shrugged off. I have a couple of spares (bought on sale) that I guess I'll just go ahead and use, but unfortunately these tires seem to be living up (down?) to the stories I've read about poor durability.

If you don't run the pressure near the printed max you can put it in back and keep an eye on it.

[hozn]

That's the thing...this tire is basically brand new (which is why I really wish it didn't need to be replaced). This is now the second low-mileage Pro 1 I've had to replace due to major damage that I think a more durable tire would've shrugged off. I have a couple of spares (bought on sale) that I guess I'll just go ahead and use, but unfortunately these tires seem to be living up (down?) to the stories I've read about poor durability.

Hmm, that's too bad. I do ride mostly road on mine and I don't ride smaller than 28mm anymore, but I have a co-worker that rides his 28s on the towpath on the regular without any flats. I think he is in his second set of those tires now (from normal wearing out).

Maybe size up? Or I would switch to the G-One or G-One Speed if you want to feel flat-proof on the towpath for regular riding.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Hmm, that's too bad. I do ride mostly road on mine and I don't ride smaller than 28mm anymore, but I have a co-worker that rides his 28s on the towpath on the regular without any flats. I think he is in his second set of those tires now (from normal wearing out).

Maybe size up? Or I would switch to the G-One or G-One Speed if you want to feel flat-proof on the towpath for regular riding.

28s would probably be too big for my frame (Cervelo R3)...even 25s right now are really difficult to squeeze through my brake calipers.

[Crickey7]

I'm pretty cheap, but I'd replace that. The ply has been compromised. It is likely to fail explosively.