Abstract: A radial tire having bead regions each comprising a bead clinch and a bead seat has between two and ten circumferentially extending ribs projecting outward of the bead region outer surface. The ribs are preferably continuous around the circumference of the tire bead and project outward from the bead region outer surface by a distance not greater than 8%, more preferably not greater than 3%, of the bead base width. Also the ribs preferably have a maximum width of between 5% and 15%, most preferably 10%, of the bead base width. The rib surface most preferably comprises a continuous surface of an arc and straight portion meeting tangentially.

Abstract: A road surfacing material consisting of binder and aggregate. The aggregate used is a blend of materials having differing rates of wear, each having a surface micro-texture in the range defined by asperity heights of a minimum texture depth of 5 microns and maximum texture depth of 500 microns.