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Date:         Sun, 19 Oct 1997 01:03:56 -0400
Reply-To:     SyncroHead@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Jim Davis <SyncroHead@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: New Alloys and tires  (was wheels)
Comments: To: tbf@pacifier.com

In a message dated 97-10-18 12:52:22 EDT, tbf@pacifier.com writes:

<<Of course the wheel diameter doesn't make the ratio change higher or lower, it is the tire diameter. The Michelin Agilis 51 tires are exactly the same diameter as the OEM MXL tires and they fit 15" rims. The extra bonus is that they are rated over 1700 pounds of load per tire. The shorter sidewall should mean a more stable tire on the road (someone mentioned that awhile back). >>

Yes, a larger wheel diameter doesn't necessarily mean a larger tire diameter, but (as I was assuming) staying with the same tire profile the 15" tires will be larger. A 70 series tire on a 15" wheel will be about 1" larger than a 70 series tire on a 14" wheel. If you go from a 14" wheel with a 70 series tire to a 15" wheel and a 60 series tire you'll maintain approximately the same overall diameter. This is known as a "plus 1" setup. Going further to a 16" wheel and a 50 series tire is a "plus 2" setup. Using the lower profile 60 or 50 series tires will (as Todd points out) improve cornering and overall handling. This comes at the expense of ride comfort because the taller sidewalls have more "give" and can provide a smoother ride. Off road performance will also diminish with low profie tires. A lot of sidewall provides for a better ability to absorb rocks and keep the rocks away from the rims where they might unseat the tire from the rim.

Regards, Jim Davis


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