A punctured tire can ruin a biker’s day, but opting for puncture-resistant tires involves a trade-off, because they are generally heavier and slower than other types of tires.
French bike tire manufacturer Hutchinson is touting a new “knitted mesh” Gridskin technology that aims to offer a high level of puncture resistance in a lighter weight product. The company has released tires with the Gridskin reinforcement textile designed to isolate external damage to a tire, reducing the chance of an embedded sharp object creating a larger hole or an eventual puncture.
The technology is the result of two years of research and development and extensive testing. According to the company, the bead-to-bead reinforcement improves the tire’s grip and comfort, allowing lower pressures while offering greater resistance to punctures and cuts.
Two of the company’s tires, the limited edition Fusion 5 road tire and Touareg gravel tire, are using the Gridskin treatment. In the Touareg tire, the technology results in an 8 percent weight reduction verses the standard hardskin reinforced model. Test results showed outstanding cornering feeling, traction, safety and enjoyment. The design is discreet from afar but reveals a reptilian appearance on the sidewalls when viewed up close.
In addition, the design allows for a reduced environmental impact during manufacturing. The reinforcement technology reduces the number of processing steps from four to one, while reducing the waste generated and the emissions associated with these steps—less plastic, less rubber and less electricity. The tires are handmade in France in Hutchinson’s factory.