[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

523.0. "Kevlar vs Steel" by XCELR8::DELORIEA () Wed Jan 20 1988 13:47

    I am looking at getting a new set of clincher tires and was wondering
    what is the difference between Kevlar and steel in the tires? The
    pro's and con's of each.                                       
    Thanks, 
    	Tom
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
523.1Other differences are second order to this...MENTOR::REGIt was 20 years ago next MayWed Jan 20 1988 13:585
    
    	Kevlar is non magnetic, i.e. unaffected by the earth's magnetic
    field.  This could make a significant difference to directional
    stability (better).
    
523.2-< A difference of opinion...>-FSTRCK::PICKETTWed Jan 20 1988 20:0210
    Kevlar is a composite material that is used in the bead of the tire
    only. It is used because it is lighter and much stronger than steel
    and can be folded. It has nothing to do with directional stability
    or magnetic fields as it is not used in or under the tread of the
    tire. It is more of an  evolutionary step-like going from steel rims       
    to alloys.
    
    
    
    
523.3Get 2 steel, 1 Kevlar...RAINBO::WASSERJohn A. WasserThu Jan 21 1988 13:4622
> what is the difference between Kevlar and steel in the tires?

	You don't say whether you are talking about 
		beads (the edge of the tire that holds it on the rim) 
	or 
		belts (the material under the tread that resists punctures).

	Steel and Kevlar have been used for both.  If the tire doesn't
	say, they are probably talking about the bead.  The only
	difference in any case is that a Kevlar bead makes the
	tire easier to fold but more expensive.  When you see
	a tire advertised as "Folding" it has a Kevlar bead.

	Why would you want a folding tire?  To carry as a spare in
	case of a major cut in one of your running tires.

	Why would you want a tire with steel or Kevlar belts? 	To
	reduce the number of flat tires you have to deal with.

	My advice:  Get steel beaded tires for your bike and if you
	are doing any major touring, get ONE Kevlar beaded folding
	tire for you tool kit.  Get belted tires at your option.
523.4quick and easy pit stopWCSM::BUCHANANMike Buchanan, Mt. View, CAThu Jan 21 1988 15:112
I also find the folding tires much easier to deal with, that is getting
them on and off the rim.
523.5Kevlar = steel at 1/5 weightEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871Thu Jan 21 1988 15:548
    	A second to John's comments.  For the record, Kevlar is almost
    exactly as strong as steel, size for size.  The advantage is that
    it weights 1/5 as much, size for size (ie. 1/5 the density).  Also,
    since it is spun in rather fine fibres, it is less apt to break
    when bent on a tight radius. Hence it's 'foldability' when used
    as a bead material.  When used as a belt, it's advantage is mainly
    in weight (critical here re. rotational moment of inertia).
    - Chris
523.6Anyone seen a SPECTRA tire yet???SUSHI::KMACDONALDGot any ICE you need climbed?Fri Jan 22 1988 13:0721
>    since it is spun in rather fine fibres, it is less apt to break
>    when bent on a tight radius. Hence it's 'foldability' when used
>    as a bead material.  When used as a belt, it's advantage is mainly

And now for something completely different, and possibly unrelated 
totally! While Kevlar is certainly more foldable than steel, it is not 
as foldable as assorted other fibers. Kevlar cord has been used with 
rock climbing protection devices as slings, however it turns out that 
bending kevlar cord on a tight radius is VERY damaging to the fibers. A 
recent issue of ROCK & ICE compared various types of cord under such 
conditions as bending on tight radius, kevlar was a clear loser, 
although it does have advantages in some areas. I suspect that for 
applications such as tire beads, the above is not really too critical; 
however the R & I article mentions a newly developed fiber by the brand 
name of SPECTRA - they were included in the tests as well, and 
out-performed Kevlar in all categories, some categories by phenomenal 
margins. As I said before, this may not be relevant for bike tires, but 
folks being folks, someone will undoubtedly come out with a 
Spectra-based bike tire soon. You heard it here first ...

                                    ken
523.7Spectra = good stuffEUCLID::PAULHUSChris @ MLO 8-3/T13 dtn 223-6871Fri Jan 22 1988 17:136
    	A guy from Allied (makers of Spectra) gave a presentation on
    the stuff at the IHPVA Builders Workshop in Jan. of '86 at MIT.
    The stuff looks to be great.  They send out a promotional bullitin 
    on the stuff a couple of times a year.  If anyone is interested, 
    let me know.  - Chris
            
523.8Laugh, and the world thinks you're nutsHPSVAX::MILLERI Heart My Picture of a DogTue Jan 26 1988 19:5512
>    < Note 523.1 by MENTOR::REG "It was 20 years ago next May" >
>               -< Other differences are second order to this... >-
>
>    
>    	Kevlar is non magnetic, i.e. unaffected by the earth's magnetic
>    field.  This could make a significant difference to directional
>    stability (better).
    
    	Doesn't ANYBODY appreciate this guy's humor but ME? If not,
    I fear I'm REALLY in trouble!
    
    =-=-=-=-g=-=-=-=
523.9I didn't want to mention itDEBIT::FISHERHoly DSRI, Batman!Wed Jan 27 1988 08:562
I didn't want to let it go to his head.  But it does appear to have
gone over a few people's.
523.10Tell us, RegAMUN::CRITZPavarotti loses 85Wed Jan 27 1988 10:597
    	I mentioned in other replys that REG is quite funny. Not
    	funny looking, or funny acting, just funny.
    
    	Now if he'd just tell me what occurred 20 years ago
    	next May....
    
    	Scott (It's probably something funny)
523.11Jokes?ARCHER::KLASMANWed Jan 27 1988 12:287
< Note 523.10 by AMUN::CRITZ "Pavarotti loses 85" >
                               -< Tell us, Reg >-

Not knowing Reg, except from his entries here, I could only hope that he was 
joking.  I hope no one takes his jokes seriously.

Kevin
523.12It really screwed up my compass tooGLIVET::DOYLEJD DoyleWed Jan 27 1988 13:084
    
    ...and I just installed fenders lined with magnets to counter 
    the earth's magnetic pull.  Guess I'll take 'em off...
    
523.13Power to the people!CCYLON::SCHULDTLarry Schuldt - WA9TAHWed Jan 27 1988 14:145
    It seems to me that if you could just hook up your lighting system
    to the tire bead, you could do without a generator... the bead passing
    throught the earth's magnetic field would induce a current in it
    which could be used to drive the lighting system!
    ;-)
523.14& Mt. W. doesn't lean when 300 of us ride up it eitherMENTOR::REGNot B-M-B '88 disqualified; ...YET !Thu Jan 28 1988 16:0612
    re .8 & a few of the subsequent ones...  reread the title to .1
    
    	My point is that the practical differences between kevlar and steel
    are so trivial that you might as well start worrying about the effect
    of the earth's magnetic field.  IMHO (I_n M_y H_umble O_pinion)
    there's far too much Techno_dweebie mentality these days around
    bicycling, I prefer to ride.  I acknowledge that Techno_dweebing
    is a valid pastime for those who can't or don't want to ride, but
    it belongs elsewhere.
    
    	Reg
    
523.15XCELR8::DELORIEAThu Jan 28 1988 19:013
    
    GEE!!!!!!!!! Ask a simple question.   ;-)
    
523.16Pocket protectors & slide-rule holsters?DR::BLINNHe's not a real Doctor..Fri Jan 29 1988 14:283
        Techno-dweebing, eh?  Reg, you break me up!
        
        Tom
523.17Questions are Welcome (more than some answers)VIKING::WASSERJohn A. WasserFri Jan 29 1988 16:1522
> differences between Kevlar and steel are so trivial 

	I would not consider foldability a trivial difference.  The
	difference is important to long-distance tourers who want
	to carry a spare tire.

> I acknowledge that Techno_dweebing is a valid pastime for those who can't 
> or don't want to ride, but it belongs elsewhere.
    
	If I understand this it means that one person can't ask 
	questions about bicycles and ride...  It also implies 
	that the question was inappropriate for this conference.

	Neither could be further from the truth.

				Your host,
				John A. Wasser

	P.S.  Please, folks.  If you are going to attempt sarcasm
	in reply to a question, mark it with a :-) since your
	tone of voice cannot be heard through the terminal and
	you just cause confusion.