Based on the perceived and real performance advantages of the radial casing constructions in Schwalbe’s mountain bike tires, we predicted that it was only a matter of time before more brands got on board with this technology. While we’ve seen a similar design from the small brand Zleen, it turns out, somewhat surprisingly, that Vee Tire Co. is the first larger tire brand to officially roll out radial casings on its tires. Vee’s new RAD-Core tires were unveiled just recently at iceBike.
What Are Radial Tires?
Traditional mountain bike tire casings use criss-crossing threads arranged diagonally, typically at 45 degrees to the direction of travel. Tires with a radial construction, like those on a car, have the casing threads arranged “radially,” or at 90 degrees, perpendicular (or close to it) to the direction of travel.
This orientation allows the tire to be more supple and deform to the trail surface more locally, creating a larger contact patch and improving traction. The suppleness of the radial casing also means the tires can be run at higher pressures, which reduces rolling resistance and decreases the chances of pinch flats, while still achieving the same or higher levels of grip.
Schwalbe was the first to market with its radial tires, and it has enjoyed plenty of success and critical acclaim in the year and a half since they launched. But Schwalbe’s radial casing isn’t even a true radial construction; it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-20 degrees from 90. Even then, it has proven to work very, very well, garnering many accolades from cycling media, including members of the BikeRumor team.
RAD-Core
Dubbed RAD-Core, Vee’s radial design features casing threads arranged in a true radial pattern at 90 degrees, completely perpendicular to the direction of travel. According to the brand, this “innovative radial construction aligns casing threads perpendicular to the ride direction, boosting grip and expanding the contact patch while reducing rolling resistance. Built with reinforced materials, it offers excellent puncture resistance and impact absorption — delivering a fast, durable, and controlled ride on any terrain.”
So far, RAD-Core casings are only listed as an option for three of Vee’s more aggressive, gravity-oriented tires. These include the Attack FSX, the Attack HPL, and the Snap WCE MK2. According to the brand’s website, the RAD-Core casing is 72 tpi, and all three tires use the brand’s Full 40 Compound, with all tread knobs using the same soft rubber compound “designed for maximum traction.” The only other information that we currently have is that they will be coming in 27.5” x 2.5” and 29” x 2.5” sizes. Unfortunately, weights are not listed, but we wouldn’t expect them to be particularly lightweight given the weight of their GXE-Core and DH-Core counterparts.
Vee Tire Co. RAD-Core: Pricing and Availability
All three of Vee’s new RAD-Core radial casing tires are already listed on the brand’s website, but none of them are available for purchase just yet. Interestingly, all of the tires are listed at $65, but that doesn’t seem correct given that we’ve read reports from other outlets stating projected pricing closer to $80. We’ve reached out to Vee Tire representatives for additional information and will update this as soon as we know more.
