A small chunk of the rubber is gone. Nothing punctured the tire itself, there is no hole and its not leaking air. Something I ran over ate a piece of the rubber. Its a tiny bit deeper the the tread itself. Is this a potential hazard waiting to happen?

That's looking like the core threads are showing. I'd use a single edge straight razor and slice off the protrusion but not pull at the rubber. I'd check and monitor air pressure loss. If no loss, no biggie. If it a slow leak, it's like a dam about to burst.

I think Hub is right.
You'll probably be fine.

But it also depends on how you ride.
If you cruise around at sensible speeds, it's probably not the end of the world.
However if you hit it real hard maybe not so.

Me, I'd change it regardless.
There is no way of knowing if it is good, bad or inbetween for sure.
And my safety is not going to be compromised for the sake of a few dollars.
9.5 times out of 10 all is good.
But that 0.5 could be very costly indeed.

There's way too many other challenges out on the road to add another potential one...

* Last updated by: yannih on 5/22/2015 @ 11:05 PM *

That would drive my OCD crazy knowing it was there. I wouldn't be able to ride the way I like to....at times.

I would be cautious with high speed stuff and long trips and monitor the hole carefully. My concern is delamination. Probably fine, but that's a pretty significant cut.

That is a problem; not a potential problem. I wouldn't risk it. Get a new tire. It's not a car, you've only got two of them keeping you on the road. You can't afford to lose one.

* Last updated by: jtemple on 5/23/2015 @ 7:55 AM *

We know how 'things' can happen when riding.Those cords right there now have NO protection.Chances are...it would be fine.HOWEVER...one sharp pebble or something hitting right there(it COULD happen)and who knows what would occur?On a fast curve,or an emergency braking situation.I'd replace it if it were me.

Look at what happened there.Who would have thought a gouge would occur like THAT one.I've never seen anything like that.There IS a possible no replacement option.Take the tire off...have someone vulcanize an inside patch,maybe two on there...that would protect it well enough.

If I was looking for 'a sign'...I'd say...that sipe and damage look eerily familiar to a HighSide skid mark..If you turned it vertical that is.Maybe someone's telling you to ditch that tire?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/23/2015 @ 3:19 PM *

Agreed, a new tire online is about $120, compared to what you stand to lose if that tire were to fail it is a no brainer. There is a good possibility that tire will hold until it is worn out but with cord showing, there is no protection in that spot if it were to receive a sharp blow. So it is a risk and you have to decide if it's worth taking. I personally would want to replace it, JMHO.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/24/2015 @ 10:18 AM *