(Nashville, Tenn., 11-15-02) - Bridgestone introduces a new, deep-tread steer radial for regional, short-haul and pickup and delivery operations.

The new tire, called the R260F, has a 22/32” tread depth, more than 20 percent deeper than standard steer radials, for long wear in the very high-scrub environment of urban and regional hauling. The R260F’s tread is also wider than standard, improving wear and making it easy to retread for drive axle use.

Because deeper treads are more likely to experience irregular wear, the R260F incorporates an original, patented Bridgestone innovation. Small ribs alongside the main ribs – called Equalizer Rib™ structures – absorb irregular wear forces, in effect, sacrificing themselves to protect the ribs beside them.

The R260F also has thick protector ribs on both sidewalls to fight curbing, common in P&D and urban service. Both sidewalls are ribbed, so if one set of protector ribs is worn away, the tire can be reversed on the wheel for continued protection.
Four full steel belts and an all-steel casing ply provide excellent retreadability.

The Bridgestone R260F radial is available in both standard and low profile sizes, with "G" and "H" load ratings, for 22.5 and 24.5-inch wheels. For more information, see a Bridgestone dealer, or visit the Bridgestone web site, www.trucktires.com.

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is a subsidiary of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agriculture and other tires to its customers in the Americas.

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