The cycling soul is made mostly from butyl rubber. Butyl is a very elastic and airtight type of synthetic rubber. As with coats, additional admixtures are required to form a rubber mixture. The quality of the soul may vary significantly depending on the composition of the rubber. For example, Schwalbe souls have an extremely high air stability and flexibility. This high elasticity makes it possible to cover a wide range of different sizes of tires.
There is a difference between souls produced for heat and autoclave souls. Vulcanization in the form improves the uniformity of the wall thickness, reducing weight and improving air stability. For this reason, autoclave souls that can be made easier have become less common in recent years. Schwalbe souls have always been produced by the heat shaping process.
Each soul also needs a valve that is associated with the soul during the vulcanization process.
In addition to the quality of the ingredients, the purity of the rubber mixture is decisive for the quality of the soul. Before pressing, the base material is pushed through seven filters under high pressure. All souls are inserted and inflated into the form of vulcanization. Only this guarantees a uniform wall thickness and high air stability.
All souls are inflated and for 24 hours they are tested for air stability. Then each soul is carefully controlled visually. Schwalbe souls have been appreciated by German bicycle dealers for their high reliability for many years.
The soul suits a large number of tires due to high elasticity and quality. Soul No.17 operates with tires with a width of 28 to 47 mm - which is a great advantage for storage in the store. At the same time, it is proof of the quality of the soul.
All valves are immersed and threaded. The valve core is always replaceable. Schwalbe souls with a classic cycling valve can be tested for pressure because they have a high -pressure valve core.
Each Schwalbe soul is 100% recyclable. Without loss of quality, we can use recycled material in the production of new souls. In our factory we have developed a special process of devulcanization and it has been shown to be very successful for several years. Currently every standard Schwalbe soul consists of 20% of recycled old souls.
Taking into account all traffic routes, the energy balance is positive. Only a fifth of energy is used compared to the production of the new butyl.
What are the benefits of latex souls?
Souls made of latex are more flexible than ordinary butyl souls. It makes them a little easier. Their biggest advantage is the high level of protection against puncture. A highly elastic latex material is very difficult to puncture.
The disadvantage lies in worse air stability. The coat with a latex soul must be inflated to the right pressure before each ride. This explains why latex souls are not suitable for everyday use.
In addition, latex souls are very soft and sensitive to oil, daylight, heat and uneven expansion. The soul must be replaced with each coat replacement.
Since these qualities lead to many problems, latex souls are not in our offer.
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