Abstract: A high performance passenger tire features improved bead assemblies. The bead assemblies include a split ply formed of two short insert plies of rubberized steel cords bent around the bead cores with their inside ends extending radially outwardly from the bead cores a distance greater than the distance from their outside ends to the bead cores. The cords of the insert plies form low angles with respect to the circumferential center line of said tire. The bead assemblies have extended utility when utilized in high performance belted radial pneumatic tires.