https://www.gtbicycles.com/usa_en/goods-gear/bike-parts-components

Re-Search & Re-Development: Ruben & His New Signature Fly Tires

A trendsetter gets better

3 Oct 2019

Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 6 09082019 144456 00051

Words by Kerr Bilsland | Photos by Ismael Ibañez

Fly Bikes are OFFICIAL DIG PARTNERS

When you see 'Fly' and 'Ruben' in a title there's a few things you can expect to follow - assured and proven quality with proficient design are guaranteed. Hailed as the first "big" tyre, Ruben has seen his signature tyre with Fly take on many forms through the years. We've had the Rampera and Campillera which have gained legendary status among trail and street riders alike, but even the best can sometimes do with a re-vamp. Enter the new Ruben 2.25 and Ruben Ligera 2.4.

Ruben went out to the the Fly HQ and sat down to extensively go over every inch of the new tyres. While still retaining the claw like tread with smooth centre, on the outside it might look like it has remained the same, however with Fly it's always the subtle changes that matter.

Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 3 07082019 132911 00051

How has your year been so far? Have you been busy with contests and your bike park company?

It's been a great year! So cool to go to contests to see friends and the amazing riding that is going on these days. The skatepark design work has been good too - we did some small fun ones but we're always hoping for bigger projects. Unfortunately though most towns normally don't have big budgets, but let's see in the future .

You've been out at the Fly headquarters working with company founder David Quesada on the latest incarnation of your signature tyre. Do you feel it's important to be directly involved in the final product, seeing and feeling it for yourself to get a better end product?

Of course, this is the most important thing and the way to end up with a good product. It's very cool that these days you can print 3D designs and get really close of the final result, which makes things easier and with less risk, in case you need to make a product mold.

Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 5 06082019 160912 00051
Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 4 06082019 155231 00051

Your signature tyre has been around for a good number of years now and has had much acclaim since it's inception. What brought about the need for a new design?

Just little adjustments to adapt better to the type of riding you need. In this case it is made to ride well in dirt, concrete and street, and also with different materials to hold pressure better and get less flats .

We'll start with the business up front. The 'Ligera' is coming in at a bigger size and still retains that classic claw design. What else is new?

No much more - a lot of people love this tire so we made it in a bigger size, and with good materials to be light and strong.

And for the back, the 'Ruben’ tyre, which has a notably smoother tread and smaller radius. We're assuming it is meant as more of a back tyre option? Are there any changes we should be aware of?

Talking with the team, we realized that we needed a size in between the current Ruben 2.35 and the old Ruben Callegera 2.0 tire, what we used to use in the rear. This tire will have a lower tread and can hold 120 PSI, which is great to ride bowls and trails.

Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 1 07082019 155653 00051

With the advent of the 'big tyre movement' we've seen a lot of tyres only able to reach PSI's of 60-80 while the new Ligera and Ruben are able to hold up to 120 PSI. What was the reasoning behind making this an available option and how will the compound of the tyre prevent it from blowing out at such a high pressure?

What this really means is that in the structure there is more nylon than rubber. It costs more to produce but is much better because is lighter and stronger .

What does it mean being able to work with Fly on yet another signature product after all these years and how many in total now how you guys put out together?

It is always a very exciting process of designing, sharing opinions, see a prototype, testing etc. It is super fun and normally, if all is good, people love it and the positive comments are always grateful.

Fly Ruben  Ismael I Bañez 2 07082019 144922 00051 2

Ruben with the boss-man working on changes to his signature grip.

There's also word that there will be a re-issue of you're signature grip. Care to give us a quick run-down of anything we can expect from that?

Yes, we are working on one! After years riding it you always think of little things to make it run better. This new one will feel just a bit thinner and smoother, because the lines are thinner, and we'l also change the logo slightly and the ends.

And on a final note when can we expect these tyres to hit distros and shops?

Look for them from the end of November.

SPECS

Ruben Ligera 2

RUBEN LIGERA

FLYBIKES RUBEN LIGERA TIRE 2.40

- Ruben Alcantara signature

- Classic Ruben Ligera Tread.

- Light kevlar folding

- “HPPR” layer technology (High Presure and Puncture Resistant)

- Pinch resistant Layer

- High Pressure casing

- Material: 60 TPI Construction

- Max Pressure: 120 PSI - Size: 2.40 x 20”

Ruben Ligera 1

RUBEN LIGERA

FLYBIKES RUBEN TIRE 2.25

- Ruben Alcantara signature

- “HPPR” layer technology (High Presure and Puncture Resistant)

- Pinch resistant Layer

- High Pressure casing

- Material: 60 TPI Construction

- Max Pressure: 120 PSI - Size: 2.25 x 20”

Ruben 225 2

RUBEN 2.25

Get yours via flybikes.com or ask for FLY at these official DIG partner stores worldwide: Source BMX | Bros Store | Kunstform | Lux BMX

Next

Brake Time - Corey Martinez

"Mirra always came through with the heaters for sure."

Related Content

Sem Kok Thumb
Play Button

DIG RAW - 60 Seconds with Sem Kok

Full Roast

23 Aug 2019
Ruben Purple Fufanu Dig 16 Lettering Webfinal

Ruben Alcantara: The Master Re-Mastered

His etnies Forward and Grounded Parts Reborn

28 Jun 2016
Sem Kok Screen
Play Button

Sem Kok For Fly Bikes

The latest transition trail blazer

17 Jun 2019
Alcantara Bmx Mementos Spain Main Rd

10 Things That Matter - At Home With Ruben

Mr. Alcantara gives us the lowdown on some sentimental household items...

4 Nov 2016
Sergio Thumb
Play Button

SERGIO LAYOS 2019 SIERRA PROMO - FLYBIKES

Bowl slaying with one of the best...

5 Jul 2019
Courage Adams 2019 Savanna Flybikes
Play Button

COURAGE ADAMS 2019 SAVANNA - FLYBIKES

You all know it, bike control for days

2 Jan 2019
Ruben alcantara BMX face tight VP

Re Print: DIG Legends - Ruben Alcantara

“He sees things very differently, and what makes sense to him, leaves most people scratching their head.” - Joe Rich

22 Jan 2015
https://harobikes.com/collections/bmx

Latest Content

6c2 B7 Z Euk4chqdefault
Play Button

Kanode Knows - Mike Mastroni

Talking creativity, on and off the bike

18 Mar 2024
5 Cqu E Bo Ija Ehqdefault
Play Button

'LOST IN TRANSLATION'

MARWAN AYARI - DIMITRIS PAP - NICO ESTEBAN

18 Mar 2024
X Z2zqyx JS8 Ehqdefault
Play Button

JACK GRUBER | UNITED ‘A while between drinks’

Canberra and Melbourne

18 Mar 2024
Gg B Xdx Hq EB Ihqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: New Teamrider!

Das New Rider

18 Mar 2024
R6 Yfqo Kvhiwhqdefault
Play Button

Jordan Richardson - 'SPROUT' - Eclat

Cali AM action

18 Mar 2024
D Lh0g8 D Enl8hqdefault
Play Button

RIDING HURRICANE SPOTS WITH TREY JONES

Floating pools, broken concrete slabs, and toppled stair sets

16 Mar 2024
Y6njc H Wd Zf8hqdefault
Play Button

THIRTY - KINK BMX

Sit back and enjoy 25 minutes of the really really good stuff

16 Mar 2024
HWX0v Hu O Ho8hqdefault
Play Button

LUX BMX BIKE ADVICE - How to Bunny Hop with Tim Storey

Learning the most crucial BMX moves.

15 Mar 2024
N Tx M4 R Nij8ghqdefault
Play Button
T Fs R Oz F Eoe Uhqdefault
Play Button

FIT PROxFILE: MAX MILLER

Breaking down Max's last six years

15 Mar 2024
Z Vag X0 Idso Ehqdefault
Play Button

BENNY ABEYTA - LOVE LETTER

Flat out

15 Mar 2024
Wef Hz QSP Sghqdefault
Play Button

Cadets Backyard Session

Young Rippers!

14 Mar 2024

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Cinema apparel 24 sring
DSCF2930

PRODUCTIVITY - ECLAT 1023 STEM

Designed in Cologne. Made in Kyoto.

31 Jan 2024
Dig2023stack

DIG BOOK #2023

NOW SHIPPING

8 Jan 2024
Wheel mill winter welcome 24 WIDE

EVENT NEWS: The Wheel Mill - Winter Welcome Jam 2024

Shelter from the storm.

19 Dec 2023
TJP WTP 22 6

SETUPS: TYSON JONES-PENI'S 22" CHAOS MACHINE

"I'm not saying the 22" will become the new standard, but it might help some riders stay on a BMX, rather than switching to MTB."

18 Dec 2023
TAMERICA tam roastin BSD 2023 mcgrath 11

The TAMerica Interview

The USA didn't know what was coming!

12 Dec 2023
Wethepeople THE SWAMPMASTER matt black 01 web

PRODUCTIVITY: WETHEPEOPLE SWAMP MASTER

Bouncy BMX Time

11 Dec 2023
Jj book cover crop

PRINT MATTERS: The Dirt in Our Skin

When BMX and literature collide

7 Dec 2023
Sniper Lever Yuma 11

ARE BRAKES COMING BACK?! - THE ECLAT SNIPER LEVER

Read what brakey boy Yuma Oshimo had to say on. the subject.

21 Nov 2023
UWS casey thumb
Uws video teaser dig this thumb

UWS: BMX ON A MISSION - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

A new online street contest

17 Nov 2023
Cliche Alexander DSCF1108

CLICHÉ CREW - 'SNAPSHOTS OF BERLIN'

They're back!

10 Nov 2023