Differences Between Radial and Bias Tyre

When you drive a car, you hardly notice the in-depth properties of the tyres attached to the passenger car. There are two main types of tyres fitted into a passenger car: Radial and Bias Ply Tyres. These majorly differ based on their construction and uses.

Find out below the difference between radial and bias tyres and everything you need to know about them!

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What is a Radial Tyre?
What is a Bias Tyre?
Difference Between Radial and Bias Tyre
Advantages
Disadvantages
Check if You Have Bias or Radial Tyres
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Radial Tyre?

These tyres are the most commonly found in passenger cars. As the name suggests, the cord plies found in these tyres are inclined to 90° to the direction of travel. This radial angle of cord plies provides many advantages to the vehicle, such as improved grip and better control.

The threads of the cord in these tyres do not intersect. These are arranged radially or placed parallel to each other. You can get both tube and tubeless tyres in this category.

What is a Bias Tyre?

These types of tyres are characterised by a spaceless (airtight) inner tube, symmetrical sidewall build, and crossed plies. The sidewall of these tyres is aligned systematically with several layers of rubber-fabric casing. Unlike radial tyres, the treads do not run parallel to each other. You will find these tyres generally in old vehicles.

Difference Between Radial and Bias Tyre

Both the tyres have the same purpose. However, they have major significant differences. Some of them are mentioned below:

Feature	Radial Tyres	Bias Tyres
Material	Made with steel belts and synthetic polyamide fabric.	Made with nylon, polyether, and softer rubber material.
Construction	The cord plies work at 90° to the direction of travel and are parallel.	The cord plies cross over and form a crisscross pattern.
Sidewall Flexibility	Flexible sidewall, providing smoother traction.	Stiffer tyres, and more rigid.
Usage	Better for high-performance vehicles.	Mostly used for heavy-duty vehicles.
Durability	More durable and longer lifespan.	Prone to more wear and tear.
Fuel Efficiency	Better fuel-efficiency.	Less fuel-efficiency.
Cost	More expensive due to advanced construction.	More affordable.
Repair	A little complex to repair.	Easy repair.
Off-road Complexity	Not made for off-road activities.	Ideal for off-road activities.

Advantages of Radial and Bias Ply Tyres

Radial Ply Tyres	Bias Ply Tyres
Radial tyres have enhanced fuel efficiency due to lower rolling resistance.	Bias tyres have more sturdy sidewalls, making them ideal for off-roading purposes.
These tyres provide more traction and stability, especially at higher speeds.	Bias tyres don’t get punctured easily due to thicker sidewalls.
Radial tyres have a longer tread life, which is cost-effective in the long run.	These tyre’s thicker sidewall absorbs shocks and offers more flexibility on uneven, rough roads.
Radial ply tyres create less heat, which reduces the risk of tyre damage.	Bias ply are more affordable and have reduced initial costs.

Disadvantages of Radial and Bias Ply Tyres

Radial Ply Tyres	Bias Ply Tyres
The initial cost of buying these tyres is high. If you do not use them for a long time, they do not offer viability and value for money.	These are less durable than radial tyres, hence their short lifespan.
There are high risks of sidewall damage caused by its unique construction.	Vehicle handling while having these tyres becomes difficult.
If the treads in these tyres are hardened, they will generate loud noise.	Bias Ply tyres are not expected to be much fuel efficient like Radial Ply tyres.
For off-roading, radial tyres are not ideal and do not provide the appropriate traction.	Bias tyres are more susceptible to overheating due to shorter and wider contact patch.

How to Check if You Have a Bias or Radial Tyre?

The main difference between radial and bias tyres is their sidewall build. The sidewall in the bias ply tyre makes angles with each other, often bisecting and crossing each other. A unique identification of these tyres is the letters ‘Bias’ or ‘Bias Ply’ embossed on these tyres.

On the contrary, the sidewall in radial tyres is built of steel cord plies aligned radially to the centreline of these tyres. It is recommended to look for a 90° angle of the sidewall. The alphabets ‘Radial’ or ‘Radial Ply’ are written on these tyres to identify them easily.

Therefore, the final choice lies in your hands. Generally, radial tyres offer better benefits and are an ideal option. But if your major car usage is for driving on rough road surfaces or you have an old vehicle, bias ply tyres are the best option.

FAQs about Radial Tyre vs Bias Tyre

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Can you mix radial and bias tyres?

Experts do not suggest mixing two types of tyres as it leads to faster wear of tyres, vehicle instability, poor handling and control, and loss of traction.

When should we use bias ply tyres?

You must use bias-ply tyres when you have an old vehicle, or you majorly drive your car on uneven roads and off-road conditions. If you are driving a modern, new-age car, these tyres are not recommended.

Can you patch bias tyres?

Yes, you can patch a Bias tyre by using a strong adhesive and following the tyre manufacturer's repair guidelines. Usually, you must remove the tyre, clean the puncture area, and patch the affected area.

What type of tyre is safer?

Radial tyres are safer than bias ply tyres as they provide better control and traction with the road surface.

Do radials last longer than bias?

Yes, the lifespan of radial tyres is greater than that of bias ply tyres. These have hard belts that wear down slower than the bias tyres. These are more resistant to potholes and shocks, leading to less or slower wear.

How long do bias tyres last?

Generally, a bias tyre has a lifespan ranging between 40,000 and 60,000 miles. However, their durability depends on several factors, such as road conditions, frequency of usage, etc.

Which tyre is best for a bike, radial or bias?

Radial tyres are better at dispersing heat than Bias Ply tyres. As a result, you can drive at high speeds without worrying about durability, safety, and comfort. Therefore, radial tyres are better than bias tyres for bikes.

What is the disadvantage of a Bias tyre?

Bias tyres usually have a short operational lifespan, possess poor fuel efficiency, etc. These drawbacks make this tyre an unpopular choice among new car buyers.

Are bias tyres good for highway driving?

Bias tyres are not good at dispersing heat at high speeds and do not work well on asphalt roads. Therefore, bias tyres are not an ideal option for highway driving.

Can radial tyres be tubeless?

Radial tyres can be both tubeless and tubed. These spread and flex easily to provide better stability and control.

Do bias tyres save fuel?

Bias tyres are not a fuel-efficient option as they have high rolling resistance. Therefore, radial tyres should be your go-to option to save on fuel consumption.

Which tyre is more fuel-efficient?

Radial tyres are the most fuel-efficient tyres as the vehicle using these tyres requires less effort and traction to accelerate or move forward. In other words, it provides low rolling resistance.

Which is better, Bias Ply or Radial?

The choice of a tyre depends on your needs and driving preference. Generally, people prefer radial tyres due to their wide range of benefits for new vehicles. Bias tyres are good for old vehicles and off-road driving.

Are all tubeless tyres radial?

Radial tyres can both be tubed and tubeless with different sidewalls. All tubeless tyres are the type of radial, but all radial tyres are not tubeless.

Which type of tyre is best on wet surfaces?

Radial tyres are the most appropriate option in the rainy season or on wet surfaces as they provide a better grip and prevent the vehicle from skidding on wet surfaces.