Properties of tyres

Tyres are an integral element in any bike and their main function is to transmit all the forces amid the bike and road. The properties of tyre are one aspect that is better if it remains constant. The tyres are the key to the handling properties of bikes. The vehicle manufacturers specify the properties of the tyres that are provided along with the new bikes.

But the same cannot be said about the after market tyres which are completely different from the original tyres. Even if they may be similar in design their handling characteristics can differ a lot since the forces generated between the tyres and the ground will determine the machine’s behavior.

The engineering involved or the sophisticated designing and fabrication in manufacturing of tyres is always hidden from the users due to the simplicity and multitude of tasks they are able to achieve. The earliest versions of pneumatic tyres were used for increasing the comfort level and decrease the load on wheels. The modern day bikes make use of suspension systems but it is the tyres that are responsible for absorbing the initial shocks from road.
The various criteria depending on which the tyre has to be chosen depends on:
 Driver’s safety
 Handling
 Comfort
 Service life
 Economy
 Environmental compatibility
Ensuring the driver’s safety is of prime concern and this is achieved by letting the tyre to sit firmly on the rim. Such an arrangement is possible by implementation of a special bead design and making use of safety rim.

Handling of tyres is also a key feature that allows one to make decisions based on the type of vehicle they will use. Smaller vehicles should be provided with thin tyres for better handling and larger ones such as cars or trucks may need broader and bigger or smaller tyres to achieve the same.

Compromising on the comfort by going for style is never advisable. Lean and thinner varieties of tyres may be quite appealing to use but one should tread with caution and always look for tyres that are recommended by the manufacturer and should not opt for cheaper variants as well.

The tyres come with a shelf life that is mentioned by the manufacturer and one has to take care to purchase tyres that have longer shelf life and only buy the original ones to avoid problems related to its cheaper variants. Tyre manufacturers also offer free services for increasing the longetivity of the tyres and repair some of the minor wear and tear too.

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