An unvulcanized unreinforced subassembly for incorporation in a tire casing

his tire casing, has an unvulcanized noncord reinforced subassembly (10A) as an intermediate article of manufacture. The subassembly (10) has at least two components laminated to it. The components are selected from one or more of the component types consisting of a liner (50), sidewall (70), a chafer (60), a whitewall strip (80), a cover strip (90), and a gum shoulder strip (40). The subassembly (10A) has a width (W) and a pair of ends (12, 14), the distance between the ends (12, 14) defining the subassembly length (L). Preferably, the components are laminated to one another and have common ends (12, 14) that are spliced along a substantially flat plane (P). The flat plane (P) extends through the article across its axial width, preferably substantially perpendicular to the length of the subassembly. The flat plane (P) is inclined at an angle , being less than 90‹, preferably about 80‹ relative to a radial normal plane (NP) passing through and perpendicular to the subassembly (10A). Each end (12, 14) has a plurality of closely spaced ridges (81) and valleys (82) of a depth of less than one half the diameter (d) of the cold wire used to form the undulating substantially flat planar end surfaces (12, 14).