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2011-12-11, 10:55 PM
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#1 |
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I couldn't afford a whole bike.....
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 120
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Why are white tyres so expensive?
I have been looking for a new trials tyre recently and have noticed that the white tires are considerably more expensive than the black ones. is there actually a reason behind this or is it because they are more sought after?
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2011-12-12, 03:05 AM
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#2 |
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show me the muni!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Rochester, New York
Age: 37
Posts: 1,280
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I have always assumed it's because tires are rubber, rubber commonly comes from oil, and oil is black.
So making a white (or non-black) tire means using something less common. Natural rubber maybe? |
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2011-12-12, 03:58 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Abuser
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Los Altos
Age: 26
Posts: 310
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Grinding unicorns into paste is taxing work.
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2011-12-12, 07:39 AM
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#4 | |
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www.unicycling.de
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Headquarters at Wiesloch, Germany, but travelling the world frequently
Age: 42
Posts: 5,610
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In black tires they use ash for the tire not becoming brittle. Ash is cheap and easy to obtain. For white tires they need other ingredients that are more expensive. But that's only pennies. The major difference in price between black and white tires probably is based on the fact that for white tires the batches are much smaller.
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2011-12-12, 03:38 PM
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#5 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 898
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Quote:
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Always remember: With patience and perseverance you can piss a hole through a rock. |
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2011-12-13, 01:21 AM
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#6 |
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gauche rider
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tulsa, OK
Age: 54
Posts: 311
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Carbon black is the additive that most tires have as a filler. Wikipedia explains a lot about its use in rubber. It talks of fumed silica being added for non black rubber.
As stated above, batch size is probably the driving cost factor. Black is also the best UV blocker to protect rubber and plastic to any depth. Any other color needs more UV additive.
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Get out and ride |
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2011-12-13, 04:34 AM
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#7 |
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North Shore ridin'
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Carmichael, CA
Posts: 14,966
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I have to agree with the batch size theory. In years past, when colored tires were more popular (in BMX and other money categories), white tires cost about the same as black ones. Of course you could also get a range of other colors.
Funny, I just learned the other day about natural rubber being white. At least when it comes out of the tree that is... (taken in Costa Rica, near the Arenal volcano on Nov. 26.
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John Foss "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" www.unicycling.com "Unicycling is a way of looking at the world, making a choice to slow down, finish what you start, doing things not because they're easy, but because they're a challenge." -- Nurse Ben |
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2011-12-14, 03:13 PM
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#8 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 898
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Quote:
One of the large expenses associated with the restoration of antique cars is born in the cost of the white tires that are being applied to them. Some are still being manufactured (on request) from the original molds that were in place well over a century ago.
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Always remember: With patience and perseverance you can piss a hole through a rock. |
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2011-12-15, 01:45 AM
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#9 | |
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North Shore ridin'
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Carmichael, CA
Posts: 14,966
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Quote:
__________________
John Foss "jfoss" at "unicycling.com" www.unicycling.com "Unicycling is a way of looking at the world, making a choice to slow down, finish what you start, doing things not because they're easy, but because they're a challenge." -- Nurse Ben |
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2011-12-16, 11:18 PM
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#10 |
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Happy Wal-Mart Employee
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NYC, USA
Posts: 11,565
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but why do they make larger batches of black?
black is more popular, because dirt is much more black than white, and black tires don't show the dirt as much. the more elemental question is: why is dirt black instead of white? 
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While you and I are having our cake-and-ice-cream party, the others are having a drink-the-blood-of-the-poor party in the back room. --[QUOTE=maestro8;1433130] |
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