What is the Difference Between Radial & Bias Tires?
Types Radial and bias tires vary in their construction. The plies, or layers, of a radial tire run on a 90-degree angle to the center of the tire. This causes the plies to overlap, resulting in more flexibility and longer tread life. The plies of a bias tire run on a 45-degree angle to the center of the tire, causing the plies to crisscross. This results in construction that is less flexible and has shorter tread life. Benefits Radial tires last longer than bias tires, and they are more versatile, offering better handling and wear characteristics. Bias tires last between 20,000 and 30,000 miles, compared with 40,000 to 50,000 miles for radials, and the flexible construction of bias tires provides less stability at higher speeds. Considerations While bias tires can be easily plugged using simple rubber tire plugs, repairing radial tires is more difficult, requiring the tire to be repaired from the inside by using a patch. For on-road use, radial tires have largely replaced bias tires. H
