Radial Tires Vs Bias-Ply Tires

The debate between bias ply and radial truck tires truly has its roots in the evolution of tires in the middle of the twentieth century and the technological advance that was the radial tire.

To being with, let's start with some fundamental terminology to assist shed light on the topic and demonstrate why, in the twenty-first century, the argument is all but moot because almost every current truck tire is of the radial form.

Bias Ply

                Bias-ply tires were the only kind used in the very first automobiles. Consider vehicles like the Ford Model T and others; they were all fitted with bias-ply tires.

The construction style of the tire is referred to as "bias ply." A tire's outward tread is just one of many layers of building components, including "plies" that act as the tire's structural framework.

Advantages

• Bias ply performs incredibly well on unpaved and difficult roads because it has a sturdier sidewall.
• In terms of upfront cost, bias tires are less expensive than radial tires.

Disadvantages

• Because bias tires have a curvature on their crown surface area (the part of the tread that touches the road), the contact area with the road is smaller and the load distribution per unit area is higher.
• This causes the tread to quickly abrade, producing limited mileage. The CPKM for bias tires is relatively high due to the limited mileage when compared to the initial cost of the tire.

What is a radial tire?

The Michelin company developed the radial tire, which has plies as part of its structural framework. The plies of a radial tire, in contrast to bias ply tires, are "stacked" across the center/crown portion and, more particularly, do not extend down the tire sidewalls to the bead at 90-degrees from the direction of travel of the tire.

These two crucial components of the tire can operate independently thanks to the division of the crown and sidewall ply sections. The bias ply tire's interconnectivity, which ensured that it always performed as a single unit, is no longer present.

Advantages

• The mileage attained by radial tires is roughly twice that of bias tires. Radial tires have a flat tread surface and a significantly bigger contact area with the road. As a result, radial tires have a comparatively lower CPKM than bias tires.

Disadvantages

• When compared to bias tires, they are more expensive up front.
• Radial tires have a less rigid sidewall that is more vulnerable to cuts and damage. Thus, on bumpy or gravel roads, radial tires frequently malfunction.

At Mountainfirewheels, we recognize how critical it is to select the ideal tread pattern and compound for retreaded tires in order to achieve their maximum performance potential. Through our Tread Finder and a variety of tread rubber brands, each created to meet the unique requirements of fleet owners, we assist our customers in selecting the tread pattern. Please contact us to find out more information about each brand. We will assist you by responding to all pertinent inquiries.