Clever new rubber rings
Metzeler reveal details on new Roadtec 02 sports-touring tyres
When Metzeler announced the Roadtec 02 sportstouring tyre was on its way to replace the Roadtec 01, expectations were high.
Since its arrival in 2016, the 01 has been a standout tyre in its class and won MCN’s 2017 Tyre of the Year Award. It continues to impress, with a slightly sportier SE version added to the range in 2020.
At the time, Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves reported: “A good sports or trackday tyre will always be more agile than all-weather rubber, but the Metzelers have a lightness about them that lets you flow easily from side to side with the lightest of steering inputs, similar to the German/Italian firm’s own Pirelli Angel GT 2.”
Cleaner future
The Roadtec 02 aims to continue that trend with a planet-conscious blend of impressive road holding and sustainable materials, with more than 43% bio-based and recycled properties in each heavily treaded hoop.
The bio-based material consists of natural rubber, bio-resins, textile reinforcements, and biochemicals. The mix of ingredients has been certified by France’s Bureau Veritas.
Meanwhile, recycled materials include synthetic rubber, silica and carbon black (a stabilising compound also responsible for making your tyres black).
Split personalities
It’s not just the cleaner combination of materials that’s new. A fresh ‘Dynatread’ adaptive pattern promises to offer the performance of two tyres in one – Metzeler call it a super-sport-touring option.
The patented system, inspired by the tread pattern of their Sportec M9 RR, claims to offer performance that suits riders with a sports
touring or sportier road riding disposition, all while retaining the longevity we’ve come to expect.
It is achieved using an adaptive tread pattern, which Metzeler say behaves differently depending on how you ride your bike.
When travelling more steadily in touring or wet weather conditions, the tread pattern is designed to favour maximum water dispersal, with the grooves remaining as open as possible. But when you ride a bit faster, the more aggressive forces are claimed to alter the tread shape – squashing part of the grooves in a bid to increase stability.
Neither end will turn into a slick, with much of each tread line left open. However, the tread will squidge closer together at the front under heavy braking, and at the rear with a big handful of throttle.
The result?
“This results in greater support and more direct feedback,” a statement read, “to make the most of the grip qualities of the compound, improving riding precision and modifying its behaviour, to become close to that of a supersport tyre.”
Metzeler say the groove style is the same front and rear to create the same feeling from both ends, and to help with road noise from the tyres.
‘Adaptive tread behaves based on how you ride’