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There are three basic parts to a bicycle tire, the carcass, the bead core and the rubber tire tread. Furthermore, almost all SCHWALBE-tires have a puncture protection belt.
A bicycle tire consists of three basic elements; the carcass, the bead
core and the rubber tread. Furthermore, almost all Schwalbe tires have
a puncture protection belt.
The bead core of the tire determines its diameter and ensures a
secure seat on the rim. Generally the bead core of a tire consists of a wire bundle. In folding tires, the wire is replaced with a hoop of aramid fibers.
The carcass is the “framework” of the tire. The textile material is rubber coated on both sides and cut at a 45 degree angle. The carcass, with this angle placed in the rolling direction, provides for the future tire’s necessary stability. All Schwalbe carcasses are made of nylon.
Depending on the quality requirements of the tire, the carcass materials are woven in various densities.
The rubber compound of a tire is composed of several components:
- Natural and synthetic rubber
- Fillers, e.g. carbon black, chalk, silica
- Softeners, e.g. oils and greases
- Anti-ageing agents (aromatic amines)
- Vulcanizing aids, e.g. sulphur
- Vulcanization accelerators; e.g. zinc oxide
- Pigments and dyes
Depending on the compound, rubber is around 40-60%. The filler
amounts to 15-30% and the remaining components to approx.
20-35%.
Almost all Schwalbe tires have a puncture protection belt, with the
exception of special lightweight and sports tires, where this feature is purposely excluded. Even our standard tires are equipped with an effective puncture protection belt made of natural rubber (Puncture Protection). MARATHON tires feature Kevlar®Guard, a remarkably high puncture protection made of nautural rubber and Kevlar fibers. Furthermore, our top of the range tires have highly efficient puncture protection systems, which are specifically adapted to particular requirements, for example RaceGuard, SmartGuard and High Density Guard.
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