Difference and Features of Bias Radial Tube Tubeless Tyres
There are numerous factors that need to be looked upon while opting for the best-suited tyre for your bike or scooter. Durability, grip, control on a wet surface, cornering ability, tread capacity, cost are to name some. Tyre manufacturers have come up with different types of tyres like bias, radial, tube and tubeless to fulfil the requirements of different bikes and road conditions. It is important to understand the Difference and Features of Bias Radial Tube Tubeless Tyres, as all of them are designed to serve a specific purpose. Difference between Bias and Radial Tyres There are huge disparities in the world of motorbikes and scooters. For different types of twowheelers and road conditions, different types of tyres are required. To adapt to this wide variety of requirements, tyre manufacturers have come up with two types of tyre architecture. The bias or cross-ply structure and the radial structure.
The carcass of a bias tyre consists of diagonally oriented cable plies. The plies are stacked crosswise over the direction of the cables. The structure is uniform and the tyre crown and sidewalls have similar mechanical properties. In a radial structure, the cables radiate around the axis of the tyre. In addition, the crown consists of plies forming a belt. The sidewalls and crown, therefore, have specific characteristics. These two structures generate different types of performance. In contact with the ground, thanks to more flexible sidewalls, a radial tyre provides good grip on the road. Its footprint is not as long as that of a bias tyre but is wider, offering more grip at a sharper angle when taking bends. The pressure in the radial tyre contact area is more evenly distributed which ultimately means more uniform wear. Thanks once again to its flexible sidewalls, a radial tyre offers greater ride comfort at high speed by cushioning irregularities in the road surface. A bias tyre, however, is better able to withstand a heavy load as its sidewalls are more rigid. At high speed, the profile of a bias tyre becomes deformed to the extent that it affects handling. A radial tyre, however, remains stable thanks to its crown belt with a continuous integrated cable around the circumference.
As we have seen the bias structure is suitable for vehicles travelling at a moderate speed with small or medium-sized engines and a reasonably flexible chassis. It is also suitable for heavy or heavily loaded bikes. The radial structure becomes a necessity for more powerful vehicles with an extremely rigid chassis and once used for sport. It enables speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour to be reached. Let’s look at the key difference between bias and radial tyres:
Speed - The bias structure is suitable for vehicles travelling at a moderate speed. The radial structure, however, enables speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour.
Engine – Bias tyres are suitable for small or medium sized engines. Radial Tyres are used for comparatively powerful engines.
Chassis – Bias structures is suitable for flexible chassis, whereas, the radial structure is suitable for rigid chassis.
Suitable bike – Bias tyres are suitable for heavy or heavily loaded bikes. Radial tyres, however, are suitable for sports bikes.
Difference between Tube and Tubeless Tyre We all know how important tyres are for running automobiles smoothly on roads. Traditionally, tyres were made with a provision of an inner tube that was filled with air to provide a soft cushioning that made vehicles running smoothly. This tube was placed inside the tyre and then air was filled through a nozzle having a valve. However, in case of a nail or any other sharp object piercing through tyre and tube caused loss of air and punctured the tube. This tube then had to be repaired or replaced tyre manufacturers came up with a novel idea of a tubeless tyre to solve this problem. Off late there has been a surge in demand for tubeless tyres. Both the two-wheelers as well as four-wheeler manufacturers have shifted to offering tubeless tyres. Let’s find out how does the tubeless version differs from the tubed and what advantage they have to offer. Tube Tyres:
Pneumatic Tyres have been into existence for more than a century. Robert Williams Thomson, a Scottish Engineer invented the tube tyres way back in 1845. This inflatable version of tyres has three components – tyre, tube and a rim. Tube gets sandwiched between the two, holds the air and imparts the shape to the tyre once inflated. Being made of the soft compound they provide the needed grip but are highly vulnerable to puncture. If a pointed object or a needle pierces the Tyre compound and hits the tube, it loses the air pressure almost immediately. There is a high possibility of tyre bursting if one continues to drive on a flat wheel. Although tube tyres are low on cost, easily affordable but don’t last as long as the tubeless version. Tubeless Tyres:
The tubeless version doesn’t require a separate tube rather it’s an integral part of the tyre forming its inner layer. The rim on tubeless tyres have a permanent valve and the tyre forms the airtight assembly not allowing the air pressure to escape. There are various variants of tubeless tyres available in the market both in the budget as well as the premium segment.
Advantages of Tubeless tyres:
Prolonged retention of air pressure: Tubeless tyres aren’t 100% puncture proof but do offer a certain degree of resistance. If a tubeless tyre is pierced, it doesn’t lose the air pressure immediately. Air comes out slowly allowing the vehicle to be driven a fair amount of distance. This is because of the fact that the air is held within the tyre itself and not the tube.
Lighter in weight: Absence of a separate tube makes tubeless tyres lighter in weight. With less weight, the friction produced when they hit the ground is considerably lower enhancing the drive quality and experience. Tubeless tyres also ensure better mileage.
High durability and longevity: Tubeless tyres offer high resistance to bruising and cuts. Being made of the harder compound they are extremely long lasting and value for money.
Better safety at high speed: Tubeless tyres don’t deflate immediately which reduces the risk of bursting of tyres and lowers the possibility of accidents due to loss of control over the bike. Also, unlike tube tyres, the air pressure remains uniform throughout the tyre which ensures better handling.
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Compatible to Nitrogen Gas: Instead of normal air, one can also opt for nitrogen gas in tubeless tyres. With nitrogen, the temperature of the tyre doesn’t go up at high speed which benefits by extending the life of the tyre. Nitrogen gas once filled stays for a longer duration as compared to normal air pressure.