Friction tires Nokian Nordman RS2. Advantages of winter Velcro

has been publishing comparative tests for several years in a row . However, all tire comparison tests have one significant drawback - they do not answer the question that interests consumers: “How long will the tires last?” This can only be understood by subjecting tires to long-term life tests during normal operation on public roads.

In 2020, Nokian Tires provided us with Nokian Nordman SZ 235/45 R17 97W XL summer tires for a long-term service life test.

The choice fell on them not by chance - after all, the question of choosing wide, low-profile summer tires is periodically puzzled not only by the owners of new E-class cars, but also by the owners of “used premium” cars - for example, cars such as the BMW 5-reihe E39 and Audi A6 C5. Most likely, elite tires of size 235/45 R17, produced at the Continental, Michelin or Pirelli factories, in this case, will not be affordable for everyone, to put it mildly. The Hakka Black summer tires produced by Nokian Tires are also positioned as a tire in the premium segment, and, accordingly, its price is also high.

In order to satisfy consumers who, when choosing tires, are more focused on their cost, many leading tire manufacturers have less popular, relatively small subsidiary brands, purchased or specially created to produce so-called affordable tires. "second line".

In most cases, these are fairly high-quality and safe products. However, in the production of such tires, technologies that are 5-8 years old are used, previously used by the “parent” company in the production of top tire models. Accordingly, in terms of their characteristics, the “second line” tires are somewhat inferior to modern models of their own concern, however, they look much more attractive at a price.

Likewise, the Nokian Tires company, which produces the expensive premium line of Nokian Hakka/Hakkapeliitta tires, has created its own sub-brand Nokian Nordman to promote affordable economy class tires to the Eastern European market.

What is the difference between Nordman RS2 friction tires

Nordman RS2 tires are based on the famous premium model Nokian Hakkapeliitta RS. The manufacturer claims that these tires combine excellent cross-country ability and handling with a high level of comfort.

Nordman 2 tires have the following features:

• The tread has no spikes, but is equipped with numerous friction lamellas. This provides a sufficient level of grip on slippery surfaces.
• The rubber composition is particularly soft, which has a positive effect on grip properties at low temperatures.
• The tread blocks contain brake boosters that shorten the braking distance.
• The thoughtful design absorbs noise as much as possible and ensures comfort while moving.

What is the fundamental difference between Nordman 7 and Hakkapeliitta 7?

Nordman 7 tires inherited almost all the characteristics from the popular Hakkapeliitta 7 model. They have exactly the same:

• tread pattern;
• thorns;
• shock mitigation technologies;
• location of lamellas.

The only difference between these two models is the quality of the rubber compound, which is simpler and cheaper in the Nordman 7.

The manufacturer claims that the model is almost a complete analogue of the Hakkapeliitta, which has proven itself to be the best and is one of the most successful Nokian products.

According to the author, by choosing the Nordman 7, the driver will receive the benefits of a premium tire for less money, so those who choose tires in the mid-price segment should pay attention to this model.

Explanation of technical characteristics

Each tire from the Finnish manufacturer Nokian has markings on the side. Knowing its designations, you can get complete information about the size, permissible load and other parameters of the product.

Let's look at tire markings using an example.

If the tire has the following designation: Nokian Nordman RS2 185/65 R14 90RM+S, it can be deciphered as follows:

Tire characteristics

Nokian wear indicators

Nordman RS 2 winter tires, like all Nokian products, have special wear indicators. Thanks to them, the driver has the opportunity to obtain information about the suitability of the tires for use.

The indicators are located on the central part of the tread. They are made in the form of numbers and snowflakes cut out in thick rubber. During use, these symbols are gradually erased, indicating the remaining tread depth.

Abrasion to number 4 indicates that the tires can no longer be used. The disappearance of a snowflake means that the tires are unsuitable for driving in icy conditions.

Features of the Nordman RS2 tread pattern

The special tread structure allows Nokian Nordman rs2 winter tires to easily overcome snow-covered expanses and icy sections of the road. They have the following design elements:

• Directional symmetrical pattern. It is this form that is most effective in winter conditions, as confirmed by many tests.
• Stiff and wide central rib. Responsible for directional stability and cross-country ability in snow.
• Numerous figured slats. A network of small sipes covers the entire working surface of the tire, clinging to the surface of any complexity and preventing skidding.
• Brake boosters. They are located on the tread blocks and speed up the process of stopping the vehicle.
• Large cutouts on the sides. Deep excavations, called “snow grippers,” easily cope with large volumes of snow masses.

The Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV winter tires, which are designed for SUVs, use a reinforced frame with a double layer of textile cord.

Tread pattern

Features of the Nordman 7 model

In their design and appearance, Nokian Nordman 7 winter tires resemble the popular Hakapelita 7, but have a much lower cost (listed below).

They differ in the following features:

• spikes with shock-absorbing properties that soften the impact of metal on the ground;
• a special tread pattern called “bear claw”;
• high quality of materials used;
• resistance to severe frosts, down to -45°C.

Thanks to the listed characteristics, the tires demonstrate excellent cross-country ability, handling and safety when driving in the most difficult weather conditions.

Rubber composition for the production of Nokian Nordman RS2

The rubber compound from which the Nordman RS2 is made is particularly soft. It is adapted for severe frosts (down to -45°C) and interacts well with loose and compacted snow, ice and slush.

The rubber contains:

• natural rubber, which provides elasticity;
• modern polymers that impart strength;
• natural rapeseed oil;
• silica (silicon dioxide);
• cryosilane;
• various additives and additives that stabilize the composition.

The peculiarity of Nokian tire production is that the rubber does not contain hazardous components that negatively affect the environment. The product of the Finnish manufacturer can be called truly environmentally friendly.

Composition of a rubber compound based on cryosilane

The mixture for making Nokian Nordman 7 includes the following components:

• natural rubber;
• silica (silicon dioxide);
• rapeseed oil;
• chemical additives.

The basis for the unique tire mixture is cryosilane, which combines all the components and creates the ideal balance of elasticity, softness and strength of the material.

Cryosilane was invented by chemists at the Nokian plant. Thanks to its use, the manufacturer managed to make rubber more economical. Its composition demonstrates low rolling resistance, which means it saves fuel and reduces the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere

Main advantages and disadvantages of the model

*Price valid as of 11/10/2018

Nokian studs are one of the most effective in the world

The effectiveness of Nordman 7's grip on slippery roads is ensured by a unique stud. The Nokian company has supplied its rubber with several of its own developments, which have proven themselves well on more expensive models.

The tire stud has:

• Anchor fastening. Holds the metal part firmly in the socket using an extended flange.
• Air Claw technology. Near each stud in the rubber there are 3 small depressions through which air penetrates, creating an air cushion. Thanks to this, the stud is in soft contact with the road surface, creating less noise.
• Shock-absorbing cushion. Inside the tire, under each stud, there is a soft rubber insert. It helps to securely hold the part in the seat and ensure smooth operation during sudden maneuvers.
• Bear claw technology. Keeps the spike in a vertical position, which allows you to start without slipping, brake faster and make it easier to control the car on ice and snow.

Studs on Nokian Nordman 7
The eight-row stud is symmetrically located on both sides of the central axis of the wheel. A carefully thought-out place for each stud allows you to reduce their number, which means reducing the noise and weight of the rubber without compromising grip.

The stud core has a hexagonal shape with a beveled front edge, which ensures smooth and tenacious contact with the coating.

Nordman RS2 tire price review

*Prices are current as of November 10, 2018.

As can be seen from the table, prices in Russian stores are cheaper than in Ukraine. This is due to the fact that one of the largest Nokian factories is located in Russia, in the city of Vsevolozhsk.

Tips for choosing tires

In order to choose a high-quality and original product, you should pay attention to some points:

• When ordering from an online store, you need to take into account delivery costs.
• The cost is too low (cheaper than the average by 30% or more, most likely indicates a low-quality product).
• You only need to buy tires that match the size of your car.
• When placing an order, you must inquire about the presence of a tire quality certificate and warranty conditions.

How to verify the originality of Nokian products?

Counterfeit car tires are quite rare. This is due to the complexity and high cost of production. But it is still possible to come across non-original Nokian products.

It’s quite easy to spot a fake, you just have to take a close look at the tires. A real Nordman tire will have a clear tread pattern, without sagging or unevenness.

Factory tires must have:

• manufacturer and model name;
• tire size;
• original wear indicators;
• information areas on the sidewall in the shape of circles.

Winter tires Nordman RS2

Nordman RS2 service life

Thanks to the high-quality rubber compound and thoughtful tread pattern, the service life of Nordman RS2 tires can significantly exceed the 5-6 years specified by the manufacturer.

To extend the life of car tires, the driver should follow the operating rules:

• perform seasonal tire changes on time;
• adhere to a calm driving style without sudden acceleration and braking;
• store tires in the summer in a dark, cool and ventilated area;
• If possible, avoid driving on poor-quality road surfaces.

Nordman 7 tire service life

The service life of car tires depends on many factors, the most significant of which are road conditions and the owner’s driving style.

You can determine the degree of wear on Nokian tires using special indicators, which were discussed above. But no matter how badly the tread is worn, the service life of any tires, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, should not get used to 6-7 years. Afterwards, the rubber begins to lose its elasticity simply from old age, and it becomes unsafe to operate such a tire.

Tire wear Nordman 7

Reviews from owners of Nordman RS2 tires

Owner reviews of Nokian Nordman rs2 winter tires were taken from the sites: сhotline.ua, www.drom.ru, www.nakolesah.ru, https://shina.com.ua/.

Nordman 7 protector. Features of the pattern and location of the lamellas

Nokian Nordman 7 winter studded tires have a symmetrical directional tread pattern. This type of working surface is the most effective in case of icing and high snow cover.

In addition, this model has the following features:

• A sophisticated 3D lamella system that maintains stability and quick response to steering inputs.
• Beveled shoulder tread blocks help better cope with deep snow.
• The tire has a central rib that breaks up the snow and throws it on either side of the wheel.
• Large blocks provide cross-country ability over crushed ice and slush.

Tire tread

The developers paid special attention to the lateral stability of the vehicle. They equipped the tread with traction enhancers in the shoulder areas and large medium blocks with sharp edges. Thanks to this design, Nokian Nordman 7 tires hold the road perfectly and do not fall into a rut.

Which is better: Nordman studded tires or RS2 Velcro?

Compared to studded tires, friction Velcro tires have the following advantages:

• less noise;
• safety for road surfaces;
• less weight of rubber, and, accordingly, less fuel consumption.

On the other hand, Velcro handles much worse on smooth ice and has a slightly longer braking distance.

Choosing between these two types of winter tires is necessary taking into account the weather and road conditions of a particular region.

• For moving around the city, where the snow is constantly cleared and there is practically no ice, friction tires like Nordman RS2 are perfect.
• For remote regions or areas with severe weather conditions (high rainfall, harsh winter), it is better to use studded tires.

What are Nokian Nordman tires?

Nordman tires are a line in the Finnish nomenclature, which since 1898 has been producing wheels for particularly difficult climatic conditions of the north, and each product is maximally adapted for use on snow and at extremely low temperatures. In this regard, all products of this brand have special properties in relation to countries with harsh climates, in particular:

Nokian plant in Russia

• Special additives in the rubber mixture allow the protectors to remain soft at any subzero temperatures, which ensures reliable grip on snow and ice.
• The latest models of the brand - Nokian Nordman 7 with and without the SUV prefix (for high-speed SUVs) have more than 200 special technology studs on their treads, the edges of which literally cut into the thickness of the ice, providing the driver with control over the road in any conditions.
• The asymmetrical arrangement of the treads, made at different angles, allows the wheel not to slip during acceleration, braking or cornering, and deep grooves remove all excess water and slush when driving on melted snow, eliminating aquaplaning.
• Deep, frequent sipes with sawtooth edges allow the wheel to capture even more snow, enhancing the friction properties of Nordman rubber several times compared to most competitors.
• Despite the softness of the treads, the blocks of lamellas are interconnected by soft rubber membranes, which prevents them from being pressed under the weight of a heavy car and reducing dynamic characteristics due to rolling resistance. All these factors allow you to significantly save fuel, and its consumption does not increase even when compared with summer tires.
• The 7th generation model is produced in 35 different sizes, with a combination of parameters from 155/80/R13 to 235/55/R17, and load and speed indices, depending on the dimensions, vary from 75T to 103T, that is, Nordman tires can be loaded up to 875 kg based on the weight of each wheel, and in this condition the car can safely drive at a speed of 190 km/h for at least 30 minutes.

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Tires Nokian Nordman 7
To select the tire size of interest and make sure of their originality, the driver just needs to go to the Russified version of the official portal of the Finnish company using the link and determine the parameters he is interested in before purchasing.

The company's headquarters for a long time was located in the Finnish city of Nokia, but over time the popularity of the company's products grew to such an extent that the owners were forced to move their production and dealer facilities to the capital of Helsinki.

In addition, since 2005, in the Russian city of Vsevolozhsk, located in the Leningrad region, not far from the border with Finland, a plant was opened with a production capacity of up to 8 million units per year, and all Nokian Nordman tires sold in the Russian Federation, comes to retail outlets precisely from this production base.