Re: Speed, load & temp limits for bike tires

On 3/15/2025 1:50 PM, bp@www.zefox.net wrote:

Is anybody aware of testing results for the speed, load and
temperature limits of bicycle tires? Something like the DOT
specs for load range and speed rating for auto tires, but
applied to bicycle tires? It's obviously not relevant to
bikes apart from tandems engaged in downhill racing. Perhaps
not even that.
 This is an admittedly obscure question, but maybe there's an
answer lurking somwehere I've not found. Probably manufactureres
do it as part of design and production quality control, but whether
results leak into the public sphere is unclear. I ask because I have
a very nice bike cargo trailer (cycletote) which I've pondered
attaching to a small motorcycle. It isn't something I'd do
under normal circumstances, of course. Merely wondering what
might be possible in a pinch.
 Thanks for reading,
 bob prohaska
    

That's a good question and I do not know.  Occasionally, we have genuinely serious questions about max load and tire manufacturer reps have informally told be 'about 150lbs per wheel'.  Both said not to quote them on that.
Regarding your specific application, I would strongly suggest you not use a not-DOT-rated tire on public roads. 'Probably OK' doesn't cover your liability if anything unrelated goes awry and you're found noncompliant- even your insurance carrier will likely walk away from you.
--
Andrew Muzi
am@yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971