It’s the middle of July, which means we’re deep into the three-week, 21-stage Le Tour de France – arguably the world’s most popular annual cycling event. Cyclists from all over the world endure 3,351 km (2,082 mi) worth of extreme inclines, challenging riding surfaces (including 21.7 km (13.5 mi) of cobblestone pathways in 2018), and all the unpredictable weather and riding conditions that the French countryside can produce.

As with automotive, aerospace, or agricultural vehicles, bicycle tire design plays a significant role in a cyclist’s performance. For instance, the same tire tread design used for flat paved street may not be the best option for riding in hilly or winding stages of the course. As a result, riders will develop a strategy to switch their bicycle tires several times to accommodate whatever terrain they’ll be facing in the day’s stage.

Tire tread design evaluation is something we do extremely well here at Tekscan. You’re more than likely familiar with our TireScan™ family of detailed tire tread analysis systems, featuring high-resolution pressure mapping sensor technology. Whether your tire design is meant for a 757 aircraft or a racing bicycle like the ones used by Tour de France cyclists, this technology is used to obtain insights on a tire design that can directly impact performance, durability, handling, and other important rider needs.

Seeking High-Detail Data to Develop a Well-Rounded Bike Tire Design

A bicycle manufacturer recently reached out to Tekscan for a pressure mapping system to evaluate and compare prototypes of a new racing tire they were developing. This particular tire design was meant to be used over asphalt and just below a single-track dirt trail surface. In order to address the needs for a broader range of riding surfaces, the manufacturer used their system to analyze the tire tread knobs under different loads.

With this information, the manufacturer was able to benchmark their tire designs to determine the tread configuration that would provide the most control and durability while performing in their anticipated riding conditions.Example of bicycle tire comparison data captured with a TireScan system. This example specifically compares front and rear tires of a mountain bike tire design.

The race against the competition in bicycle tire design, much like the Tour de France, comes down to developing a sound strategy to address the specific needs of the road ahead. Pressure mapping technology is an actionable analysis tool used to uncover quantifiable tire performance data that helps manufacturers develop advancements in an extremely competitive market space.

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