Anyone who rides an ebike throughout the year has to deal with very different conditions on roads and paths due to the changing weather. In this situation, an all-weather tyre can help, but inevitably always involves compromises. How about simply putting a different tread over one tyre? And then switch back to the original tread quite quickly if desired.
This was exactly the idea of a couple of guys from Norway in 2015. They founded the company reTyre and developed first prototypes of a modular tyre system. Initially, they were looking for an add-on that would fit any bicycle tyre on the market, regardless of tyre size and width. This soon proved to be too ambitious. So they scaled back their demands a little, changed the concept – and succeeded. For the combination of a basic tyre with changeable treads, the manufacturer received the Red Dot Award for product design in 2019. At least as important was the acquisition of Dag Otto Lauritzen as brand ambassador. The former professional cyclist and Tour de France stage winner ensured the necessary public attention in sport-loving Norway.
What do you mean, modular?
So, what is this, a modular tyre system? Basically, it is the mini multi-layer principle for the tyres on the bike. Two layers can be combined with each other, although one layer alone, in this case the lowest, also fulfils the basic requirement. The basic component of the reTyre system is the reTyre One. Interchangeable tyre profiles can be mounted on this basic tyre. The manufacturer calls these skins.
They are fitted with the help of a patented, integrated zip. Skilled hands can do it in about a minute without any tools. One part of the zip is integrated into the carcass of the basic tyre. The matching counterpart is found on the respective skin, the changeable tyre tread. The skin is placed on the basic tyre, the zips are threaded in and – zip – the desired tread is added. Currently, reTyre offers a total of fan treads. All of them are designed for very different surfaces and weather conditions.
Connect additional tyre tread to the base tyre of reTyre via zip fastener
Tyre selection with the reTyre modular system
reTyre One
- As basic tyre the basic requirement in the equipment
- Semislick with very low rolling resistance
- NXT rubber compound provides amazingly good traction even in wet conditions
- Integrated puncture protection
- Price: 39 Euro
Base tyre reTyre One
Winter Traveller
- Light studded tyre with 160 studs
- Four studs always in contact with the ground
- Winter tyre for urban environments
- Price: 69 Euro
Winter Traveller tread
Nordic Commuter
- Further development of the Winter Traveller
- Lighter
- Firmer fit on the reTyre One
- Price: 79 Euro
Nordic Commuter tread
Ice Racer
- Heavy studded tyre with 300 studs
- Flexible lugs prevent snow from sticking permanently in the tread
- Winter tyre for long lasting snowy and icy surfaces
- Price: 89 Euro
Ice Racer tread
Trail Rider
- Mountain bike tyre
- Chunky for maximum traction on loose ground, mud, etc.
- Price: 45 Euro
Trail Rider tread
Gravel Chaser
- Central tread with low lugs for running more lively
- Larger lugs on the sides for sufficient grip in the curves
- Designed for hard surface and unsurfaced forest tracks, gravel, etc.
- Price: 49 Euro
Gravel Chaser tread
Both the base tyre and the skins are available in tyre sizes between 26 inch and 29 inch.
Continuous progress
Overall, the product has developed noticeably since its beginnings. You can currently buy the third generation from the manufacturer. For example, the zip technology has been optimised. This is partly due to the independent Norwegian research institute Sintef, with whom reTyre develops the stainless steel zips. The skins have become thinner and at the same time cover more kilometres. Likewise, reTyre has tweaked the rubber compounds to better meet the different demands of each use. By the way, according to the manufacturer, 90 per cent of the rubber is natural rubber.
Apparently, all this work is bearing fruit. The Norwegian ebike manufacturer Buddy Bike equips large parts of its range with reTyre as standard. More may follow soon. After all, reTyre wants to come up with tyre treads in the future that can be completely recycled. The manufacturer says it is currently working on this project.
These tricks make mounting easier
In a small test, we tried out part of the reTyre range ourselves. Apart from the riding experience, we were interested in how well or not so well the profiles could be fitted once the basic tyre was mounted. And our verdict is rather positive. Here are a few tips for mounting that we would like to give you if you want to buy the system.
Press the flanks of the skin together when mounting. This makes it easier to close the zips.
It takes less than 60 seconds to put on a skin, reTyre claims. Give yourself some time and let the zips work in a little. Then this prediction becomes realistic.
Sometimes a gap remains between the two ends of the skin after fitting. This usually closes after a few kilometres of riding.
With its two layers, the system builds up considerably more in height than a conventional tyre. There must be enough space between the mudguard and the tyre as well as between the frame and the tyre. About half a centimetre is the minimum here.
Cutbacks regarding the riding experience
In terms of riding impressions, our conclusion is more mixed. The basic reTyre One tyre makes an excellent impression. Ultimately, it is a fully-fledged city tyre that maintains its grip on the ground for a long time, even on wet roads. With the Gravel Chaser we chose, riding was a much spongier affair. At least as long as the surface is as slick and hard as asphalt. If forest soil, finer gravel or grass come into play, the feeling is less irritating.
The bottom line is as follows:
Advantages:
- Profile can be changed within a very short time
- Foldable skins convenient to take along on tours and trips
- System saves a second set of wheels and tyres
- Prices comparable to conventional tyres
Disadvantages:
- More weight
- Higher rolling resistance
Potential worldwide interest
reTyre has developed its system with year-round cycling in mind. From our point of view, the focus is on mastering winter conditions. Given the company’s origins, this is hardly surprising. It is based in a small Norwegian town with the original name Ski 😉 This is just under thirty kilometres south of Oslo, at about 60 degrees north latitude. For four months of the year, the average temperature there is below freezing. Similar conditions prevail, for example, in other parts of Scandinavia, in areas of Eastern Europe, near the Alps and in North America. So target markets and target groups seem to be plentiful, meaning that we will certainly see a fourth generation of the system at some point.
Pictures: retyre AS
