Tires

🛞 Information About Tubed and Tubeless Tires

Tires are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the road, and their design directly affects safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. There are two main categories: tubed tires (tubetype) and tubeless tires. While they share structural elements, their operation and advantages differ significantly.

🔧 General Tire Composition

1. Tread
   • Provides traction
   • Resists wear
   • Channels water on wet surfaces
2. Steel Belts
   • Reinforce the tread
   • Improve tire stability
3. Textile Casing
   • Absorbs road impacts
   • Gives shape and structure to the tire
4. Sidewall
   • Protects the casing
   • Adds lateral flexibility
5. Bead
   • Ensures a firm fit between the tire and the rim
   • Made of steel wires for secure anchoring
6. Inner Liner
   • In tubeless tires: maintains air pressure
   • In tubed tires: protects the inner tube

🧪 Differences Between Tubed and Tubeless Tires

1. Air Chamber
   • Tubetype: Use a separate inner tube inside the tire
   • Tubeless: No tube; air is retained within the tire itself
2. Sealing
   • Tubetype: Sealing depends on the tube and rim fit
   • Tubeless: Require airtight rims and proper bead sealing
3. Repair
   • Tubetype: Easier to repair in the field, but less safe
   • Tubeless: Safer, though they require specific tools for repair
4. Puncture Risk
   • Tubetype: Higher risk, with sudden pressure loss
   • Tubeless: Lower risk, as air tends to escape gradually
5. Current Use
   • Tubetype: Common in older vehicles, agricultural machinery, and classic motorcycles
   • Tubeless: Standard in modern cars and high-performance vehicles

Tubeless tires feature a butyl rubber layer inside that acts as a sealant, eliminating the need for an inner tube. This improves heat dissipation, reduces weight, and enhances safety.

🔢 Reading Tire Specifications

The sidewall markings reveal key specifications. Example: 195/65 R15 91H

• 195: Tire width in millimeters
• 65: Aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of width)
• R: Radial construction (most common)
• 15: Rim diameter in inches
• 91: Load index (maximum weight capacity)
• H: Speed rating (maximum safe speed)

You may also find the DOT code, which indicates the manufacturing date (e.g., 3223 = week 32 of 2023).

🧵 Technical Evolution

• Bias-ply tires: Used in tubetype designs, with angled cross-layers. More rigid but less comfortable.
• Radial tires: Dominate today’s market. Layers run radially from bead to bead with steel belts. Offer better durability, grip, and efficiency.
• Run-flat and self-supporting tires: A tubeless variant that can operate without air pressure for limited distances. Common in luxury and sports vehicles.

🛠️ Applications and Recommendations

• Tubetype: Still useful in rural terrain, heavy machinery, and classic motorcycles. Require frequent tube inspection.
• Tubeless: Recommended for urban and highway use. Lower maintenance, better thermal performance, and increased safety.