Belted Tires

There are three general methods of arranging or laying down the tire plies. They may be laid down "on the bias," "on the bias and belted," or "radially." The body plies of belted-bias tires criss-cross diagonally, like those of bias-ply tires, to ensure strong sidewalls. The added belts are two or more cord strips that are cut on the bias and alternated, in herringbone fashion, around the perimeter of the tire between the body plies and the tread. Belts not only strengthen the tire against impact and puncture damage, but also serve to stiffen the tread so that it has less tendency to squirm on the road.