AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
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Don't worry I have had lots worse, I never mind the lighting, it's the bangs that frighten me. 
Andy.
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 3rd Nov 2010 1:13 pm |
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cammackmartin
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 41
 
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So an update. This was the original email I sent:
Can you tell me if the construction materials
and manufacturing technique for the side wall on
the new Grabber AT are the same as those for the
Grabber AT2? If there is a difference, what is
it?
Thanks
The reply from:
Mr. Gwyn Fennell
Technical Service Manager
Continental Tyre Group Ltd
Tyre Fort
88-98 Wingfoot Way
Erdington
Birmingham
B24 9HY
Tel: 0121 382 4814
Fax: 0121 382 7784
(Included for future fun and games)
Initial reply read:
Hello Richard,
Thank you for your query which has been passed to me. I have read the
thread below and I believe the construction information you have been given
is in fact for the "Grabber" (Baja
Competition) tyre that is used in North America for off road competition
and does not relate to the Grabber AT. The "Grabber" (Baja Competition)
tyre is designed for off road competition use, in particular on sandy and
rocky terrain hence the additional ply's to withstand off road abuse. In
fact at present I do not believe this tyre is E marked and therefore not
marketed in the UK .
The Grabber AT is designed for both on road and off road use as was the
AT2. The Grabber AT however, while enhancing the excellent off road
performance of the AT2, has improved on its on road driving
characteristics, particularly in the wet (improved by some 10%) and also
reduced noise for a quieter ride therefore giving an even better all round
experience.
This sounded like evasive flannel to me so I tried the flattering approach thus:
Thanks for that Gwyn. So in essence the new AT has exactly the same high
quality design and manufacturing techniques used in it's construction as
the AT2 albeit with a significant advance on the tread design that both
delivers the same qualities as the AT2 in addition to a reduction in
aquaplaning and road noise? Is this correct?
This elicited the following:
I can't give construction or manufacturing details other than to say that
there were advances not only in the tread design but also in the tread
compound and the pressure distribution of the tyre.
Me thinks that therefor the answer to our question is:
No our new tyres have the same construction and therfor risk of side wall damage as the AT2. (My thought not theirs)
But I thought I'd give him one last chance so sent:
Ok I fully understand. I guess simply a yes or no to the question: Are the tyre walls the same? - Would help. I hope it is possible to answer that without giving any details.
As yet its all gone quiet despite the above being a fairly brisk exchange today.
Make your own judgement. I know what I think this tells us. I will post any reply that turns up.
Rich
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| 3rd Nov 2010 7:18 pm |
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Phat Face
Member Since: 08 Jul 2009
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 354
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Are you sure you didn't send the email to your local MP? Sounds like the sort of reply they give to any questions. Lloyd "Phat Face"
2006 TDV6 HSE in Bonatti Grey
Club 19" GGAT's
Club B.A.S. EGR Bypass
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| 3rd Nov 2010 10:24 pm |
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cammackmartin
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 41
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I expect the next reply will be:
'Yes! I can absolutely confirm that any technical information relating to tyre construction or manufacture cannot be revealed although we guarantee that these tyres exceed the industry standard for side wall blackness and I can reveal that 100% of the full circumference of the tyre moves through a full 360 degrees with each rotation bringing again 100% of the circumference into contact with the road surface at some point within the limits of this rotation* These innovative design features ensure the ongoing pleasure and satisfaction of all our customers and also our investors. We hope this allows us to continue to avoid answering this question. Best wishes.........'
(*Please see notes in appendix 1 regarding Rallying and aggressive driving style at high speed N.B. Limitations of liability.)
Last edited by cammackmartin on 4th Nov 2010 8:49 am. Edited 3 times in total
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| 4th Nov 2010 8:30 am |
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AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
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Good stock back in Friday morning. 
Andy.
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| 4th Nov 2010 2:42 pm |
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DrLex
Member Since: 15 Jul 2005
Location: Ciderspace [Oi be in Zummerset]
Posts: 4863
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NeilD wrote:Good info Martin
Martin? Think he's called Richard, unless Mr Fennell is really avoiding stating the truth... Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member of Club Med Sucks
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| 4th Nov 2010 3:45 pm |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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CammackMartin
 I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 4th Nov 2010 4:36 pm |
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cammackmartin
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 41
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This is one argument I can shed light on. Richard Martin but any combination accepted
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| 4th Nov 2010 5:26 pm |
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AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
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What "ANY COMBINATION"
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| 4th Nov 2010 5:36 pm |
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cammackmartin
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 41
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This is getting messy!!
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| 4th Nov 2010 5:44 pm |
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NoDo$h
Member Since: 02 May 2006
Location: Finding new and exciting ways to milk badgers.
Posts: 19689
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Cammackmartin = Mama Crack Mint.
Isn't that what Ent said to DG at Bodsy's place last night?  I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
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| 4th Nov 2010 8:13 pm |
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AJS4X4
Member Since: 30 Mar 2008
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3224
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I am happy to say that 255/55x19 General AT are back in stock for fitting here or collection.
Andy.
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| 5th Nov 2010 8:24 am |
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cammackmartin
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: london
Posts: 41
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So I got a response after a repeated email which was as follows:
Hello Richard,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the delay in responding I was away from my
desk yesterday and this morning so didn't see your e-mail. My understanding
is that the ply rating and construction of the sidewalls is the same as the
AT2 but the AT has additional material in the shoulder making it more
robust.
It is great to hear of your interest in the Grabber AT and I am sure you
will be happy with its performance. Should you require further information
you can find its features and benefits on the general tire website
(www.generaltire.eu) which may be worth a look.
So I guess we can draw our own conclusions from this. I would have to bow to someone elses technical knowledge to assess the likelihood that bolstering the shoulder area would prevent sidewall punctures. My uneducated guess would be that the shoulder structure would be continuous with the tread structure and therefor reflect changes there not necessarily changes to the sidewall.
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| 5th Nov 2010 11:23 am |
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LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23809
 
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I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong, but I suspect that the UK arm of the Continental Tyre Group is really not much more than a distributorship with some sponsorship and PR chucked in. Hence the somewhat vague replies to your specific question and some info. on a different tyre!
You might get a more detailed answer from the dept. where they are actually designed (is that still the US?).
All the competiton will have already anaylsed the AT, so I doubt that there are many "trade secrets" to be revealed.
It would be logical to improve the sidewall strength, if it was possible without making the ride too harsh, cost etc. when designing a new AT tyre. The AT2 was/is a huge seller and General will want and need the AT to continue the success.
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| 5th Nov 2010 11:56 am |
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