How are tires made?
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. With this angle placed in the rolling direction, the carcass provides the tire’s necessary stability. All Schwalbe carcasses are made of polyamide (nylon). Depending on the quality requirements of the tire, the carcass materials are woven in various densities.
The rubber compound of a tire consists of several components:
Natural and synthetic rubber
Fillers, e.g. carbon black, chalk, silica
Softeners, e.g. oils and lubricants
Anti-aging agents (aromatic amines)
Vulcanizing aids, e.g. sulphur
Vulcanization accelerators; e.g. zinc oxide
Pigments and dyes
Depending on the compound, the rubber content is around 40-60%. The filler amounts to 15-30% and the remaining components 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 and reinforced with Kevlar® fibers (K-Guard). In the case of the Marathon tires the 3 mm thick GreenGuard ensures the renowned high puncture protection. Furthermore, our top of the range tires have highly efficient puncture protection systems, which are specifically adapted to particular requirements, for example RaceGuard, V-Guard or SmartGuard.
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. With this angle placed in the rolling direction, the carcass provides the tire’s necessary stability. All Schwalbe carcasses are made of polyamide (nylon). Depending on the quality requirements of the tire, the carcass materials are woven in various densities.
The rubber compound of a tire consists of several components:
Natural and synthetic rubber
Fillers, e.g. carbon black, chalk, silica
Softeners, e.g. oils and lubricants
Anti-aging agents (aromatic amines)
Vulcanizing aids, e.g. sulphur
Vulcanization accelerators; e.g. zinc oxide
Pigments and dyes
Depending on the compound, the rubber content is around 40-60%. The filler amounts to 15-30% and the remaining components 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 and reinforced with Kevlar® fibers (K-Guard). In the case of the Marathon tires the 3 mm thick GreenGuard ensures the renowned high puncture protection. Furthermore, our top of the range tires have highly efficient puncture protection systems, which are specifically adapted to particular requirements, for example RaceGuard, V-Guard or SmartGuard.
Updated on: 03/27/2025
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