(Akron/Tire Review) Bandag Inc. has launched BDV (Bandag Drive Urban), a new pre-cure tread the company said is designed especially for bus drive tyres and for all wheel positions on pickup/delivery vehicles. Used extensively in its South American and Asian markets, said Bandag, the BDV tread design will replace Bandag’s Omnibus design in North America, which is being phased out in the next year.

Bandag said the new tread is ideal for commercial applications “where irregular wear from corners and curbs presents a maintenance challenge.” The tread is available in 210, 220 and 230 mm sizes. “Field trials in the US on two urban bus fleets shows that BDV delivered 20 per cent better tread wear over the tread it is replacing,” said Chris Hoffman, Bandag’s product manager for global tyre products, “BDV offers a deep 22/32-inch tread depth which reduces maintenance expenses for fleet managers.”