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3 Feb 2015
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Vegetarian - Vegan bike parts, tyres/tires
Hi all,
I'm starting this thread to get more awareness regarding which parts of our bikes (and other vehicles) are vegan/vegetarian and what options we have.
Not many people realise that rubber tyres are made with stearic acid.
Stearic acid can be made from plants but is mostly made from animal fat which obviously is not vegetarian/vegan.
I've been contacting the major tyre manufacturers below to ask them about it.
Please add any that I'm missing.
- Avon
- Bridgestone
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Heidenau
- Kenda
- Maxxis
- Michelin
- Mitas
- Pirelli
- Shinko
Here's what I asked:
Quote:
Dear Madam, Sir,
I would like to know whether you use any animal based source materials in your tyres or in the process of making your tyres.
As a member of a group of Vegan motorcycle riders it would be nice to be able to use your tyres for our motorcycles and other vehicles.
As an example; stearic acid can be fully plant based but also mixed with animal sourced stearic acid.
Can you please tell us whether that's the case and if there are any other concerns for us regarding the use of your tyres?
Thanks a lot!
Kind regards,
Bee Dee
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Apart from Michelin and Kenda, none answered the question yet.
But my mission paid off!
Kenda got back and said they don't use animal based materials! 
Quote:
Thanks for the note. I had a similar question a few months back. I requested a response from our factory and they replied that no animal based materials are used.
Thanks and ride safe-
Kenda Customer Service
American Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., LTD
614-866-9803 Main
614-866-9805 Fax
Kenda Tires - Since 1962
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It's been long known that Michelin is vegan as well so now we have TWO options!
- Michelin
- Kenda
Any one have any more info on the other brands, or on other parts?
Maybe it would be good to all start asking around and find out which tyres or other parts are good for us to use and which not?
PS: I will always put the full up-to-date list I have in my latest post to this thread.
Cheers!
Beedee
__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979
Last edited by Beedee; 16 Feb 2015 at 17:56.
Reason: Informing readers that I will always put the full up-to-date list I have in my latest post to this thread.
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3 Feb 2015
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Guess I'm not the only one to not go to the road kill cookout!
I was not aware of this at all, and I've been Vegan for nearly 15 years! I'd be really interested in what Pirelli have to say, although the Michelin reply is good.
On a related note, the only thing I struggle to buy that's non leather are gloves, especially if I'm after some sort of protection. Any clues? I normally search the Spidi / Spada collections.
Keep up the good work!
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5 Feb 2015
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I'm veggie and tend to seek to out second hand stuff if I'm looking for leather, principally in second hand shops but also ebay. Once it's second hand, buying an item is not supportive of the market. Also, it makes sense environmentally and generally financially as well.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using Tapatalk 2
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11 Feb 2015
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Add Metzeler to the list!!
Hi all,
Just got a reply from Metzeler, it's positive!! (Well negative on animal contents)
Quote:
Dear Bee Dee,
Thanks for your contact. After checking with my research and development colleagues I can confirm that there are no animal derived materials in our products.
Kind Regards,
Mannie
Contact Centre
Pirelli Metzeler Moto UK
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I've asked them to double check for Pirelli.
Current list of vegan tyres:
Keep'em coming!!!
__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979
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16 Feb 2015
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Bridgestone is vegan!
And another option: Bridgestone!!
Quote:
Subject: FW: Customer Service mail
Hello and thank you for your email.
Please note we can confirm that there are no animal based products in any of our tyres. This is in compliance with Bridgestone’s global environmental responsibilities policy.
Regards,
Salik A Ali
Technical Department
Bridgestone UK Ltd
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Current list: - Michelin
- Kenda
- Metzeler
- Bridgestone
Still waiting for replies from a few, and got a ticket number for Pirelli.
Anyone know any other manufacturers?
While we're at it, any other parts which look vegan but might not be? Filters, Oil, Grips, etc?
__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979
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4 Mar 2015
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Super Moderator
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
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As a moderator, I've been staying clear of this thread, but only barely so. I like to believe that we can discuss this stuff respectfully, in a spirit of curious inquiry which recognizes that we all have something to learn from others posting.
Let's agree that we're all here to discuss an issue, not to degrade, demean, or hurl vitriol at those who disagree with us, ok? That means that if you choose to post on this thread, you're choosing also to skip the sarcasm, shouting all-caps, insulting characterizations, and belittling of the opinions of others.
It should be obvious that people have different approaches to their purchasing choices, whether based on vegan or vegetarian practices or not. It should be equally obvious that none of us lives in total purity, no matter how this is measured. Calling someone out as less than 100% pure doesn't really accomplish much. The interesting questions concern how we each locate ourselves on the great middle ground between the extremes.
Hope this is helpful.
Mark
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4 Mar 2015
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Off Topic
As the moderator of this particular sub forum, I have sat back and left this thread alone despite the direction it has taken, Until now
I have taken the unprecedented move(for me at least) of deleting every post from this forum that does not add value to the original post. 44 posts of ridicule and abuse.
I was considering just moving it to the Hubb Pub forum but felt that belittled the original post, which, no matter what my personal opinions on Vegan tyres may be, I have no right to do. No one does.
I am not issuing any rebukes or infractions to anyone, but I will be keeping an eye on this thread and immediately deleting any similar posts.
__________________
The electric monk always has faith.
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5 Mar 2015
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Quote:
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… the only thing I struggle to buy that's non leather are gloves, especially if I'm after some sort of protection...
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As it happens veggie mate just mentioned these: Motoport Racing Glove | Gloves | Motoport | 105.170
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26 Jul 2015
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Glove options
Thanks for starting this thread Beedee. I was out yesterday and thinking I could do with replacing my main summer gloves and while researching through Google this morning, I finally found this thread. By far the best pair I have seen are the ones you have posted Chris.
Thanks also to electric_monk for the moderation. It's unbelievable the non related crap I had to trawl through while researching other forums looking for the same answers, so it's made a very refreshing change to see one with just answers to the questions.
I found these from Alpine Stars which look good for light summer gloves as they are getting highly rated reviews. No good for the track, cold or wet, but ideal for a light summer option and not bad value at £40 with free delivery.
Alpinestars Scheme Kevlar Glove - Black - FREE UK DELIVERY
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9 Nov 2015
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Although I am not vegan myself I want to thank you for starting this thread, as I have a couple of vegan biking friends and will pass this information on. Also full credit to the mods, it's a shame that some people resort to mockery / abuse regarding a post seeking some basic information. I think some people need to grow up and respect the lifestyle choices of others.
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8 Mar 2016
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Avon vegan!
Here's an update:
Another tire manufacturer got back to me:
Avon, and the result is positive for vegans!
However, I've been in doubt about Michelin and they have been contacted again, so the current list has been adapted.
Here's a more accurate view:
- Michelin: pending confirmation
- Kenda: Vegan
- Metzeler: Vegan
- Bridgestone: Vegan
- Avon: Vegan
The following I've asked again and they need to get back with info:
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Shinko
- Dunlop
- Maxxis
- Continental
- Heidenau
- Mitas
If anyone has any other brands which are not in the list, please let me know.
Any other products which are doubtful, just post and we'll find out.
As always, my last post contains all the info I have.
Cheers,
Beedee
PS: thanks for the other info regarding the gloves, they're on my list for when my old ones need replacing.
__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979
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18 May 2017
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Any updates on Tires?
Any updates, BeeDee?
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7 Apr 2018
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Nashbar has been asked
Thanks Bee Dee for starting this thread.
I borrowed your email and doctored it up for Nashbar's bicycle tires. Hope you don't mind, but I thought it was a nice email.
Here's what I sent:
Dear Kind Folks at Nashbar,
I would like to know whether you use any animal based source materials in your tires or in the process of making your tires.
As a member of No Meat Athlete, an international group of Vegan athletes, it would be nice to be able to use your tires for our bikes.
As an example; stearic acid can be fully plant based but also mixed with animal sourced stearic acid.
Can you please tell us whether that's the case and if there are any other concerns for us regarding the use of your tires?
Cheers!
David H.
I'll let you guys know what I hear from them.
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7 Apr 2018
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I'm not a vegetarian, but I think this is a very interesting topic. It had never occurred to me that there might be any animal-friendly issues around motorcycle manufacturing, other than the obvious possible use of leather.
I realize this is an important issue for some folks, so thanks for making me aware of it!
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
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8 Apr 2018
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I wonder if, having now learned that 100% of the major manufacturers who have responded state that they do not use any animal products in their tires, it might be reasonable to assume that the remaining tire manufacturers probably don't use animal products either.
I posit this because I suspect that Metzeler, Bridgestone, Avon, and (probably) Michelin don't use animal products simply because it is uneconomical or does not contribute to making the best possible tire.
I would be quite surprised if the above-mentioned companies make a conscious effort to avoid using animal-based products for social reasons (either their own ethics, or to stay in good stead with the vegan community), this because the vegan community is quite a small fraction of their customers.
I have no opinion on animal products in tires, or on the vegan community... I'm simply suggesting that the original poster has now gathered enough data to enable us to answer the original question posed.
Michael
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Vegetarian - Vegan bike parts, tyres/tires
Add Metzeler to the list!!
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