MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: lamcote on August 14, 2017, 16:46

Title: Tyres
Post by: lamcote on August 14, 2017, 16:46
Just had an interesting chat with Camskill about some new tyres.

The chap said it's best to avoid tyres with good fuel efficiency rating and try to get tyres rated as F for fuel economy.

Apparently the manufacturers use soft sidewalls to reduce rolling resistance and the same tyres are often available with different fuel efficiency ratings, if so always go with the worse fuel efficiency rating if you want decent handling.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: 1979scotte on August 14, 2017, 22:32
Quote from: "lamcote"Just had an interesting chat with Camskill about some new tyres.

The chap said it's best to avoid tyres with good fuel efficiency rating and try to get tyres rated as F for fuel economy.

Apparently the manufacturers use soft sidewalls to reduce rolling resistance and the same tyres are often available with different fuel efficiency ratings, if so always go with the worse fuel efficiency rating if you want decent handling.

Have heard similar.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Ardent on August 14, 2017, 23:01
Maybe lost in translation. But something does not sit right here. (For me)
Shirley this is down to tyre compound rather than sidewall construction.
Thinking yoko ad08r here. Sidewall = not soft. Rolling resistance = not reduced.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: gazza1286 on August 15, 2017, 06:35
Quote from: "Ardent"Maybe lost in translation. But something does not sit right here. (For me)
Shirley this is down to tyre compound rather than sidewall construction.
Thinking yoko ad08r here. Sidewall = not soft. Rolling resistance = not reduced.

... Don't call me Shirley!...
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: shnazzle on August 15, 2017, 06:54
Isn't it the other way around, like how low tyre pressure creates significantly more resistance than higher tyre pressure.

Just think of when you used to ride your bike on a flat tyre. Very hard. Then inflated it and it seemed to roll forever.

Surely the same concept applies to compound hardness.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Topdownman on August 15, 2017, 07:03
I certainly agree about going for a less efficient tyre for better grip.

I imagine the compound is the biggest part of the reason but there will be an effect from the "give" in the tyre as one with better rolling resistance can deform slightly when meeting an obstacle that would otherwise take energy to overcome and go over.

Anyway, its a moot point, everyone should just buy AD08rs, end of!
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: shnazzle on August 15, 2017, 09:57
Well said!