What became of Barum?

[John Wakefield]

Barum tyres were popular in the 1960/70's particularly for scrambles knobblies. Their inner tubes were really thick & possibly pure rubber rather than the thin synthetic rubber one gets today.

[Brian Catt]

Still in business, but I think more for 4 wheelers.

[John Wakefield]

Still in business, but I think more for 4 wheelers.

Your right Brian http://www.barum-online.com/generato...hichte_en.html
No mention of motorcycle tyres presumably that side of the business went when they became part of Continental who also made (maybe still do) bike tyres.

[Brian Thompson]

Barum Tyres.

From the look of this (see below, clipped from an Australian tyre supplier's website), Barum merged with Continental in 1992, and as Brian C said seem to be concentrating on it's 'high speed' (car) tyres these days.

"Barum, which has mergered with Continental A.G. in 1992, intends to develop more its high speed tires. In the meanwhile, this manufacturer has fun every year at the Barum Rally, that the company has been hosting ever since 1971."

Another suppliers website (http://www.motorcycletyres.net.au/) speaks of a past connection to Mitas, who now makes Trelleborg tyres and used to make them for Barum. As such, it wouldn't surprise me if the trail might lead back to Mitas with Barum products as well....

Mitas seem to have a good reputation for but good value/quality off-road rubber these days. Perhaps they are both part of the Continental brand these days, who seem to specialise in the quality-but-budget end of the market. Their sports road/track day tyres are very good indeed, and really suited the track bike R6 I rode with them fitted. Very reassuring, bags of grip and feedback....and I was trying hard....!)

Brian.

[riflegreen]

I believe Mitas trials tyres are from the Barum moulds .

The inner tubes were called crown tubes because of the real thick rubber outer crown of the tube , very sought after and were a used by the Czechs as bartering resource at ISDT .

Barum also made little advertising gizmos to give away , the sort of thing that barbers used to sell to customers for the weekend .

Chris

[Brian Thompson]

Barum etc.

Thanks for the interesting info Chris, funny too!!!

Hope they weren't made out if the same material as the inner tubes....

[riflegreen]

Well , they -- no I'm not going down that route .

Chris

[pgc40]

What I think you mean is you never had a high speed blow out

[Brian Catt]

You had to get the valve in the right place for maximum....efficiency!