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195g Racing tyre: Ultremo
Cosmically good: Ultremo
The new Ultremo racing tire is a massive technological leap forward: Super-light at just 195 g, triple compound as well as a unique protection belt made of Vectran - material used in the US space program - make the tires fast, grippy and puncture resistant.
"Theres no second chance when landing on Mars" explained a company spokesman from Warwick Mills, USA, a leading supplier of hi-tech fabrics. The company developed an extremely tough Vectran fabric for the Mars lander on behalf of NASA. A similar Vectran textile is now used in Schwalbes new tires.
"The newly developed HD-V Guard (High Density Vectran) is – with regard to both puncture protection and weight - the key to a new dimension in the construction of high-quality bicycle tires", explained Holger Jahn, Schwalbe Technical Director. "At the moment no stronger fabric exists in bicycle tire technology." The Vectran fibers used in Warwick Mills fabric are twice as tear resistant as titanium and five times stronger than steel. Woven using a patented process the textile has a cut resistance high three times higher than Aramid, which is used, among other things, in bicycle tires and bullet-proof vests.
Weaving technology is the difference
Of course Vectran can also be found in other bicycle tire brands, but not as a densely woven fabric, rather as loosely bundled fibers - similar to a bicycle tire carcass. "Although strong it is not the fibers, but more accurately the patented weaving technology that makes the difference in puncture protection. "Only densely woven Vectran offers optimal protection", stressed Holger Jahn. Warwick Mills holds 14 international patents for its weaving techniques, among which is its patent for the worlds most densely woven, high-strength yarn fabric. Warwick Mills innovation makes it the undisputed global leader in this segment. The HD-V Guard was developed exclusively with and for Schwalbe. The Vectran fabric also contributes to the tires low weight, as the Ultremos ultra-light protection belt and the super-fine, thinly coated 127 epi carcass helps keep it below the significant 200 gram "barrier".
"A phenomenal tire. It rolls really easily ", enthused pro racer Lars Teutenberg of Schwalbe Race Support. "I didnt spare it. On the contrary, I consciously rode through road debris and glass fragments and still didnt puncture. And for a bona fide racing cycle tire it is extremely light - 195 gram is truly outstanding."
Triple Compound combines contrasting characteristics
Another innovation is the triple compound that is unique in racing tire technology. The tread has three rubber mixtures. Specially arranged the individual compounds each have a specific advantage. In the tread center there is a hardwearing compound that guarantees durability; proven by Bohle test riders who covered more than 5,000 kilometers.
On the tire shoulders good grip is required and here the second, uncompromising compound improves wet grip enormously. The third - base - compound has no contact with the road, although it is crucial to the tires acceleration: This compound, which was originally developed for time trials, has extremely low rolling resistance - and so is crucial for speed. Lars Teutenberg tested it: "During racing, after each bend I had a 10 meters lead. I now ride into curves at angles and speeds I wouldnt dare doing with any other tire."
Triple compound allows Schwalbes Ultremo to achieve the optimum by combining three opposing characteristics - durability, good wet grip and low rolling resistance - each maximized without impairing the other.
Schwalbe has invested heavily in the new Ultremo. "We have laid down new benchmarks with this innovative racing tire", asserted Holger Jahn.
Publish Date: 22/09/2006
