Few tyre companies – if any – are as prominent in the public’s consciousness as Goodyear. From the fabled Goodyear blimp and the legendary winged foot logo, to being the most successful tyre brand in Formula One history and one of the largest tyre manufacturers in the world, Goodyear is often the first name people think of when it comes to high-performance rubber.
So when Goodyear puts its name to a new range of high-performance bicycle tyres it’s a moment when cyclists would be wise to sit up and take notice.
But before we look at all the new tyres, first, a short history lesson…
The Goodyear tyre and rubber company was started by Charles Goodyear in Akron, Ohio in 1898 and, over the last 127 years, has become the world’s third-largest tyre manufacturer. It employs about 63,000 people and manufactures its products in 49 facilities in 19 countries. Aside from being the tyre of choice for millions of customers worldwide, is currently the sole tyre supplier for America’s biggest motor racing series, NASCAR.
But while Goodyear’s association with motorsport is well-known, its association with pedal power is perhaps less recognised. The company did make bike tyres until 1976, but it went through something of a cycling hiatus until 2016. Now, though – working in licensing collaboration with high-performance cycling tyre specialists, DG Rubber – the Goodyear brand is back among the peloton, and creating the kind of breakthrough products that have made its name famous in other sectors.
That leads us to today, and this month’s launch of Goodyear’s newest ultra high-performance road cycle tyres – the Eagle F1 Supersport RS and Eagle F1 RS – which join last year’s seriously updated Connector series for gravel cycling. What makes these tyres more than worthy to carry the renowned Goodyear name? Let’s look at them in detail…
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport RS and Eagle F1 RS road tyres
Considering the almost Olympian efforts that have gone in to creating the world’s most effective road cycling tyres, it seems suitable that Goodyear’s catchline with the new Eagle F1 duo is “Faster, lighter, stronger.” And that is far more than just marketing speak.
As part of its new technology platform, Goodyear has created three distinctive areas of innovation: Power Tensile, Advanced Profile, and UUHP Compound. Combined, these technological advancements provide incredible all-round performance, but they’re well worth understanding individually.
Power Tensile: Built around a re-engineered polyamide casing material, upgraded Power Tensile fibres offer higher strength and greater thermal resistance, enabling the casing to maintain its shape more effectively under stress, heat, and repeated dynamic loads. In simple terms, this means there is reduced lateral deformation, resulting in enhanced durability, enhanced control and rider confidence, and improved rolling resistance.
Advanced Profile: Advanced Profile relates to the design of the tyre, in this case the key design features are: non-overlapping double-layer casing architecture, which allows the tread to deform more efficiently, reducing localised stiffness and internal energy loss; reinforced shoulder construction to enhance lateral support; and an extended tread profile to provide a smoother and more predictable transition from crown to sidewall.
UUHP (Ultra Ultra-High-Performance): So ultra high-performance they named it twice, UUHP features a compound that utilises high-surface-area silica combined with a proprietary rubber compound formulated for maximum grip, speed, and durability. By improving the efficiency of the compound, the upgraded UUHP reduces rolling resistance while enhancing traction in wet and dry conditions.
These factors have led to the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport RS tyre featuring a 16% reduction in rolling resistance, 10% increased wet grip, and 47% increased puncture protection compared to Goodyear’s corresponding previous generation model.
Goodyear Eagle F1 RS features a 27% reduction in rolling resistance, 5% increased wet grip, 35% increased puncture protection, and 10% reduced weight compared to Goodyear’s corresponding previous generation model.
The Eagle F1 Supersport RS and Eagle F1 RS are both available in black. Here are your prices and size options, plus weights:
Eagle F1 Supersport RS (£84.95): 700x28mm (260g), 700x30mm (275g), 700x32mm (300g)
Eagle F1 RS tube-type (£68.95): 700x25mm (200g), 700x28mm (220g), 700x30mm (240g) or 700x32mm (265g)
Eagle F1 RS tubeless-ready (£79.95): 700x28mm (290g), 700x30mm (305g), 700x32mm (330g) or 700x34mm (345g)
Goodyear Connector gravel tyres
And now for something slightly different. Last year Goodyear released an updated series of Connector gravel tyres, which Goodyear says is: “The fastest and most versatile range of gravel tyres we have ever made”. Again, the Connector series boasts the “Faster, lighter, stronger” tagline but in this case, the customer can select exactly which of those three qualities they’d to take most advantage of.
That is because the Connector range comprises three distinct models: Connector Slick, Connector Speed and Connector Inter. All make the most of Goodyear’s Ultra-High Performance compound for ultra-low rolling resistance, along with 120tpi nylon casing and reinforced sidewalls for enhance protection, and the latest construction processes for reduced weight. The key differences between models are in the tread pattern.
- Connector Slick utilises a full slick centre tread for high efficiency on smooth surfaces, along with textured tread pattern on the edges for predictable cornering grip, perfect for paved roads or hardpack gravel.
- Connector Speed features a semi-slick tread pattern – with a textured centre spanning to the InBlock sipe technology cornering blocks, carried across from Goodyear’s MTB range – resulting in predictable transition from centre to edge and ideal performance for high-speed gravel racing across firm terrain.
- Connector Inter uses a tightly-spaced centre pattern with block sizes increasing incrementally to the aggressive, widely-spaced side blocks featuring InBlock sipes, making for a versatile intermediate tread ideal for all-terrain performance.
Here are your size and colour options with prices, plus weighs for each tyre type:
Connector Slick (£64.95): 700x40mm (425g)/black or transparent
Connector Speed (£64.95): 700x40mm (445g), 700x45mm (510g), 700x50mm (570g)/black or transparent
Connector Inter (£64.95): 700x40mm (490g), 700x45mm (555g), 700x50mm (610g)/black or transparent
Whatever your cycling aims this summer, if you want ultimate in tyre performance, Goodyear has the rubber to help you fulfil your cycling ambitions.
To find out more about Goodyear’s new cycling tyres, visit goodyearbike.com.
