Best wheel and tire size for street use

[Wayne Stambaugh]

I have looked at the forum section for wheels and tires and frankly it’s overwhelming. What I was trying to establish is the best wheel size for the street and the best tires to run on the wheels again for the street. What’s you opinion on this. Again, my car is an 86 Catereham, DeDion rear suspension. I really have no desire to run different diameter wheels front and back. Tire wear really in not an issue, I won’t be putting many miles on it. Thanks

[JohnCh]

I broke this off into a new topic since it was appended to the thread about looking for Jake LaMont's book on building an engine.  One of these things is not like the other  

 

-John

[CarlB]

Most people like 13 inch wheels and tires. I believe the reason is the lighter weight. The high-power cars Caterham sells generally have 13x6 inch front and 13X8 inch rear wheel. I would probably use 6 inch wheels and 205X60-13 tires. Toyo makes a goop tire for our cars. The best tires for our cars are Avon, but they are not going to make our tires anymore. Hopefully someone else will. Our cars are so much lighter than anything else, tires are not made with our cars in mind. I am sure others will have different opinions, but those are my thoughts. 

[IamScotticus]

185/65-70/R13 inch gives more sidewall for flex and impact when inflated at 20psi.  Like that bike you had with 2" balloon tires.

They may not look sporty, but in a 1200 pound car prone to skip around, you need the grip and your back needs the cushion.

On a perfectly smooth race track, it may be something else.

Edited October 15, 2023 by IamScotticus

[IamScotticus]

185/65-70/R13 inch gives more sidewall for flex and impact when inflated at 20psi.  Like that bike you had with 2" balloon tires.

They may not look sporty, but in a 1200 pound car prone to skip around, you need the grip and your back needs the cushion.

On a perfectly smooth race track, it may be something else.  Many like to run 205 in the rear.

 

To keep tire searching simple, sometimes tis easier to search these sites for 1985 Mazda RX7.

 

Ive been keeping a list of rubber mentioned on forums.

Some of these mentions may be for 15".

 

 

Pirelli Cinturato CN36

https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/car/collection/product/cinturato-cn-36

Kumho Solus TA11

https://www.kumhotireusa.com/us/global/tire/view.do?returnType=L&menuCd=MN000162&langCd=LN000004&ord=0001-0002-0001-0001&idcate=MC000112&iditem=50

Michelin 155 HR 13

https://www.michelinman.com/classic/tires/michelin-xas

https://www.michelinman.com/classic/tires/michelin-xas-ff

https://www.michelinman.com/classic/tires/michelin-xdx-b

https://www.michelinman.com/classic/tires/michelin-zx

Uniroyal Rain Expert (well recommended for street) 13" NA

Nitto NT05

Nankangs

Toyo Proxes R888R

 

Avon CR322

 

Avon ZZR (softest compound)

Bridgestone 720

 

Notes on Formula Ford:

Dunlop Racing "Formula Ford"
F: 135/545 R13 CR82
R: 165/580 R13 CR82

https://hptyres.com/product/135-545-13-dunlop-historic-formula-ford-race-tyre/

 

On my car, but too old now.  I would get more If I could find them

Yokohama HPT (High Performance Tire) S-707 
185/70R13 86T
Diameter 23.2"
Width 7.28" 589mm
 

 

I tend to continue to update these lists after posting

Personal recommendation, find Kumho Solus TA11 for under $100 and get a set.  If rims are alloy, take to a specialist who wont break your wheels on the changing machine.  If you have Ford PCD, not to worry, lots of replacement options.  DeDion should be Ford.

Edited October 15, 2023 by IamScotticus

[MV8]

My perspective is different from most. I've been mounting and spin balancing my own tires and running these sizes daily (street only) for about 20 years. The "waterfall" tires are good. I also prefer a 13 to a 15 (more sidewall and generally less weight) for such a light car but bigger wheels look better parked and other folks while moving. If it came with 15's, I'd keep those on.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Waterfall-Eco-Dynamic-175-70R13-82-H-All-Season-Tire/210293704

 

 

Edited October 15, 2023 by MV8

[7Westfield]

I run Toyo RA1's   205/60-13  13x6 wheels on my prelit Westy

pressure 22 front   18 rear

street use plus autocross with local brit club

 

tried a set of the Dunlop FF tires once---horrible would be a complement

not bad on race track, but on the street they wander all over--they'll change direction on a paint stripe

 

these cars really prefer radials

 

Charlie

Edited October 15, 2023 by 7Westfield

[CarlB]

Real race tires do not have a very low bias angle and will pull on anything except a perfectly flat road. It is like driving a car with a lot of toe out.

[slowdude]

Uniroyal Rain Expert tires here. They went through some gnarly standing water at 70mph in northeast winter. Absolutely will replace them when I can find a place stateside.