TECHNOLOGY

Technology Header Image

Below are Technology Icons and their definitions. 


RICE BRAN CERAMICS COMPOUND 2

RBCC has evolved significantly. IRC's proprietary technology blends RB ceramic particles, a hard porous carbon material made from rice bran, into the tread rubber.

When compared to the previous RBCC

  • Rolling resistance improved by 5%
  • Wear level improved by 280%
  • Grip level improved by 15%
  • Weather resistance 230% upward

Significant improvement in wear level also contributes to lighter tires. RBCC2 is used in all models of S-LIGHT, RBCC, and X-GUARD.

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RICE BRAN CERAMIC COMPOUND

IRC's proprietary technology blends RB ceramic particles, a hard porous carbon material made from rice bran, into the tread rubber. The RB ceramic particles are very small (200-300μm) and hard, providing a microspike effect while maintaining high grip even on wet surfaces due to their excellent water absorption properties. This latest update has seen significant improvements in grip, abrasion resistance, and weather resistance while maintaining the same rolling resistance. The compound has evolved to maintain high grip on all road conditions, whether dry or wet.

RBCC

The hard porous structure creates a micro-spike effect on the tread surface. As the tread rubber wears down, new RBC particles appear, and the holes left by the fallen RBC particles also function as tiny edges. In addition to the water absorption effect of the porous structure, the tiny holes created by the fallen RBC particles temporarily hold water on the road surface and cut the water film, just like foam rubber. This helps improve grip on wet roads.

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x-guard

X-GUARD

Built with high-strength 40x40tpi nylon fiber and fully reinforced with a cross-woven mesh, this technology boasts an exceptionally strong construction that significantly enhances side cut resistance by approximately 40% in both wet and dry conditions.

X-guard +40%
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MICRO GAUGE INNER

An extremely thin and lightweight air-sealing layer that, when used in conjunction with a sealant, significantly increases air retention levels.

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NR-TEX INNER AIR SEAL SYSTEM

A technology that reduces the rolling resistance of tubeless tires. In the world of road racing, it is now common knowledge to use lightweight and flexible latex tubes for "decisive battles." With NR-TEX IAS, the tire's air retaining layer (inner air seal) is made of a flexible, highly resilient natural rubber-based (NR) compound, in pursuit of faster, more flexible driving performance.

*When the conventional IAS is taken as 100

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SUPER LIGHT

It feels as light as if it had wings. Proof that it is the lightest model.

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DISC BRAKE APPROVED

This model has the strength and performance to withstand the high loads generated by disc brakes during sudden braking and transmit that power to the road surface.

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BEAD PROTECTION

The tire's bead area is protected and strengthened with a chafer, a specialized reinforcement layer. This robust design shields the bead from high and excessive loads, preventing damage and wear for increased durability.

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REINFORCED SIDE-WALLS

A wide nylon mesh reinforcement in the tire's sidewall effectively prevents rim strike and side cut punctures common in off-road riding.

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HIGH-GRIP COMPOUND

Proprietary soft compound providing exceptional grip, especially when cornering, giving you a secure and planted feel through every turn.

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SLOW REBOUND COMPOUND

Specially formulated low-rebound compound provides outstanding grip across a wide range of conditions, offering reliable performance whether the road is wet or dry.

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DUAL COMPOUND

The tire tread features a multi-compound construction, strategically engineered to deliver both exceptional rolling efficiency and confident cornering grip. The tread mix has been developed and tested to produce the fastest tire available.

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DURABLE COMPOUND

A long-life compound engineered to produce excellent durability and weather resistance, making it suitable for heavy daily use.

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SMOOTH ROTATION

Manufactured with a near-perfect circular tire structure to minimize joint vibrations, resulting in exceptionally smooth and efficient rotation.

low noise

LOW NOISE

The 180TPI casing and compound specialized for indoor use provide excellent wear resistance and unprecedented quietness.

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Hookless Rim Compatible

HOOKLESS

A model that can be used with hookless rims.

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New ERTO Standard

NEW ETRTO STANDARD

Designed to accommodate a tire width of 25mm when fitted to a rim with an inner width of 19mm.

Tire width Standard rim width
25c 19mm
28c 19mm
30c 21mm
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Pinch Flat Resistant

PINCH FLAT RESISTANT SYSTEM

The tire uses an "APEX structure" in which rubber is layered on the bead, and the side sections have a two-layer structure to prevent rim-strike punctures and  maintain the rigidity required for a downhill tire.

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180 TPI

180 TPI

TPI is a unit that indicates how many casings (= bundled fibers that form the framework of the tire) are arranged per inch (2.54 cm). The higher the number, the thinner, more flexible and lighter the tire will be, and the lower the number, the stronger and more rigid the tire will be. 180 TPI is an extremely lightweight and flexible casing with 180 nylon cords woven into one inch. It is the lightest tire casing that uses nylon cords, and is mainly used for lightweight high-end racing tires.

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tubeless icon

TUBELESS

Tubeless tires may be used with or without an inner tube. IRC tubeless tires have an air-tight inner-air-seal lining that functions as a built-in inner tube and they hold air without sealant. (If you use tubeless tires, you will need a special wheel and tubeless valves.) 

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tubeless ready icon

TUBELESS READY

Tubeless ready tires may be used with or without an inner tube. When being mounted without an inner tube, liquid sealant must be used. (If you use tubeless ready tires, you will need a special wheel, sealant and tubeless valves.) 

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High Pressure Casing

HIGH-PRESSURE CASING

Our High-Pressure casing allows you to increase your tire pressure to lower rolling resistance on smooth surfaces.

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Aero + Icon

AERO+

Aero+ tires have “aero” fins along the beads that create a smooth transition from rim to tire, reducing air drag. This unique feature reduces air drag by as much as 4 percent when compared to conventional tires. 

-4%
all 4 ply icon

ALL 4 PLY

Standard tires have 2 layers of casing on the sidewalls, and 3 layers on the center tread. All 4-ply tires are constructed with a casing that has 4-layers from bead-to-bead. This gives 30% greater puncture resistance versus a standard tire.

 

all 4 ply illustration
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all 3 ply icon

ALL 3 PLY

In order to improve puncture resistance, a 3PLY structure is adopted in which the casing is spread over the entire surface from bead to bead. Achieves high tire rigidity and improves puncture resistance due to rim striking and piercing by about 40% compared to conventional products.


all 3 ply illustration
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SOFT WIRE

SOFT WIRE

Uses foldable soft wire.

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Bead Chafer

BEAD CHAAFER

Chafers, or edge tapes, are incorporated into the bead-rim interface to reinforce this critical area. This prevents bead breakage under high loads, significantly increasing tire safety and durability.

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RIM SAVER

RIM SAVER

The Rim Saver's unique "surface" support, unlike a standard "line," distributes impact forces more effectively. This prevents the reinforced tire from crushing the rim, dramatically reducing rim strike punctures.

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ALL COVER

ALL COVER

Certain bike maintenance chemicals and waxes can harm tire rubber. Our innovative All Cover structure encases the entire tire in a highly resistant cover rubber, providing exceptional protection against chemicals, weather, and other damaging external factors. This design also significantly improves resistance to cracks and other damage compared to conventional tires (based on our internal testing).

Important Note: While the cover rubber offers enhanced resistance, it does not guarantee complete protection against all chemicals or weather conditions. Please ensure you handle and maintain your tires according to proper guidelines to maximize their lifespan and performance.