So I'm swapping frint rims on my bike and need to buy a new front tire.  I decide to remove the old tire from the bad rim for the experience (1st time). In the process I hear somethin' rolling around in the tire before I take it off.  Apon sucessful removal there are several randomally sized beads none bigger than 2mm.  I can easily crush one between my fingers and end up with what I can only assume is graphite on my fingers, its dark gray and slippery.  The rim where the airspace for the tire would be  is also lightly coated in this fine slippery dust.  Why the heck is this here?  Is there something I should know before installing a new tire in my good rim?

BTW Thanks for the help earlier on getting the rotor off.  This board deserves praise!   

Those are "tire balls".  Nothing abnormal about them, they're just beads of mold lubricant  ball up inside the tire as it spins.

Quote from: GeeP on May 21, 2007, 10:17:40 PM
Those are "tire balls".  Nothing abnormal about them, they're just beads of mold lubricant  ball up inside the tire as it spins.

And that also answers the question nobody asked, "Are tyres males or females?", they are obviously male. 

  I always thought my bike need some more balls!   

Quote from: bubba zanetti on May 22, 2007, 01:22:27 AM

Quote from: GeeP on May 21, 2007, 10:17:40 PM
Those are "tire balls".  Nothing abnormal about them, they're just beads of mold lubricant  ball up inside the tire as it spins.

And that also answers the question nobody asked, "Are tyres males or females?", they are obviously male.