Does my tyre compound matter?

The lengths manufacturers go to to perfect their rubber suggest there is more to tyre make-up than meets the eye

Although you’d expect rubber to be just rubber, tyre rubber is actually made up of around 30 different ingredients which have to be mixed carefully and in the right order for a predetermined time to create the desired compound.

As well as rolling resistance, manufacturers look to ensure that a new tyre will provide grip, durability, puncture resistance and comfort, all in a lightweight package. The formulation of the compound plays a major part in determining many of these properties.

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