Goodyear Goes Cycling with Tubeless County and Connector Gravel Tires – 2018 Sea Otter

For most folks, the name Goodyear has long been synonymous with car tires and dirigibles. However, one of the company’s first products was a bicycle tire when it was founded in 1898. New this year, Goodyear is returning to the bicycle market with a line of tubeless bike tires.

The CEO of Ford recently said it is a mobility company, not an automobile company. Accordingly, the statement has made auto supply companies also think about other markets. Goodyear CEO Richard Kramer is a huge cycling fan who loves following the Tour de France, and Bicycling Magazine named it one of the Best 25 Companies for Cyclists, so bike tires seemed like a logical mobility market to get into.

Goodyear introduced a new line of bicycle tires that includes two gravel options. New Goodyear County and Connector Tubeless Gravel Tires. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine

Goodyear’s new tires all come in tubeless versions, and the company developed them along with startup Rubber Kinetics. The company is going all-in with its new line, offering tires for gravel, mountain, road and commuting.

All of the company’s new tires come with what it calls its “Tubeless Complete” system. The tires have a “sticky” and supple bead designed to work with most tubeless rims. Goodyear said the tires will inflate with just a floor pump on most rims. Goodyear will also offer its own sealant.

Gravel and Mixed-Terrain Treads

A handful of treads are of interest to the gravel crowd. The County is a 700c x 35mm tire with a smooth center and side knobs.

The 35mm County has a smooth center and side knobs. New Goodyear County and Connector Tubeless Gravel Tires. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine

The Connector is knobbier and wider, with a 40mm width and a tread that features a tight center and small blocks toward the aggressive side knobs. Both the Country and Connector come in two compounds: Pace70 and A/T. The A/T compound tires cost $10 more, but weigh almost 100g less.

The 40mm Connector has a more aggressive tread with a tight center and big side knobs. New Goodyear County and Connector Tubeless Gravel Tires. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine

A third option worth a look is a 700c x 32mm version of the Eagle All-Season road tread that could be an option if you want to put slicks on your ’cross or gravel bike.

Goodyear also has a 32mm wide road tread called the Eagle All-Season that might be useful for rougher roads. 2018 Sea Otter Classic. © Cyclocross Magazine

Goodyear’s tires will be available exclusively in shops via distributor Hawley-Lambert. Weights and prices for the new treads and a photo gallery are below.

Prices and Weights

County

Price: $70
Width: 35mm
Weight: 441g
Compound: A/T

Connector

Price: $70
Width: 40mm
Weight: 463g
Compound: A/T

Eagle All-Season

Price: $70
Width: 32mm
Weight: 337g

For more new tubeless tires from Sea Otter, see our reports on the offerings from IRC Tires and Challenge Tires.

Stay tuned for much more coverage from the 2018 Sea Otter trade show and bike races.

Photo Gallery: Goodyear County, Connector and Eagle All-Terrain