Abstract: A heavy duty pneumatic tire is provided with bead cores of symmetrical or asymmetrical polygonal cross-sectional. Extending radially outwardly therefrom are apex strips of a hard rubber compound which contact the bead cores along their radially outwardly oriented faces. The apex strips have a width at least as great as the width of the bead cores measured in a selected direction, and have a height of not more than 1.5 times the width of the bead cores. The terminal ends of turnups formed by wrapping a carcass ply radially about the bead cores, and reinforcement strips are enveloped in cushion elements of a rubber material which are softer than the carcass ply and the apex strips. The apex strips have a markedly compact shape cross sectionally and form with the bead cores, rigid units through which stresses occurring in the carcass during tire operation can be transferred.