13 in. tires for r400/r500

[Reiver]

185/55r13 and 215/55r13...I am looking at a few Caterhams and of course they need tires..... I can't find any sources just doing an internet search.... anyone have any suggestions? 

[Carz01]

I believe Nova has both sizes in a couple of variations. Not sure how available they are though.

https://novamotorsport.com/tyres-results-page/?filters[tyre_construction][]=&filters[rim_diameter][]=13&filters[tyre_size][]=185%2F55R13

https://novamotorsport.com/tyres-results-page/?filters[tyre_construction][]=&filters[rim_diameter][]=13&filters[tyre_size][]=215%2F55R13

[Reiver]

All a bit confusing when you go to the sites...but a lead for sure.

[Slonie]

There's a few threads on this but like many people I just went with R888R in 185/60R13 and 205/60R13.

 

I'm not sure the Novas will be out until next year (admittedly, it's almost next year now). Says it'll be Q1 though!

 

 

[Reiver]

Thanks Gents, very helpful

[7Westfield]

Try 185/60 and 205/60   many more choices

I have 205 Toyo 888s on mine

[Reiver]

Slonie, what is your opinion of the  R888R's..... if my offer is taken I'll need tires asap...they have tread but are old.

[NSXguy]

The Toyos are a good enough alternate while waiting for the novas (if that’s the ultimate desire). Even caterham (the company) have offered them on new cars since Avon supply dried up.

[Slonie]

22 hours ago, Reiver said:

Slonie, what is your opinion of the  R888R's..... if my offer is taken I'll need tires asap...they have tread but are old.

 

I don't have any point of comparison on this car, but they've been good for me. In the absence of the Avons/Novas your only other choices in these sizes seem to be more-boutique tires or economy/trailer tires. 

 

There are faster tires on the track (Croc and others have tested this IIRC!) but for sporty street driving I think they're a good option right now.

It looks like next year we'll have a newer Toyo which we can hope will be an improvement as well.

[Reiver]

I really have no option but to go that way, thanks for the info...this is for the street so no issues.

[jordway]

@Reiver, I recently put on R888Rs.  I've been happy with them.  Mostly back road driving, but I've autocrossed with them a couple of times.  No complaints.  Admittedly, I'm a novice who probably wouldn't have noticed any differences that weren't dramatic.  Although I wouldn't recommend it, I've driven them on the interstate in the rain once (by necessity).  They handled fine in the rain, but I was being super careful.

[Reiver]

Thanks Jord, the rain comment is noted and good to hear.

[Croc]

18 hours ago, Slonie said:

 

I don't have any point of comparison on this car, but they've been good for me. In the absence of the Avons/Novas your only other choices in these sizes seem to be more-boutique tires or economy/trailer tires. 

 

There are faster tires on the track (Croc and others have tested this IIRC!) but for sporty street driving I think they're a good option right now.

It looks like next year we'll have a newer Toyo which we can hope will be an improvement as well.

You have not got much choice but the R888s right now.  They are fine for road.  Ok on dry track putting aside they “go off” after about 45-60 mins from brand new.  Ok as a wet intermediate tire for road and track.  Watch them on really wet conditions as they are tricky to gauge grip.  Lethal on standing water.  

[Reiver]

Thanks Croc, figured they'd be balloons on standing water.  Not much of an issue where I live in Az.  I can usually count the number of times I use my wipers on my street car on one hand in a driving year.  75 today.

 

I appreciate the info/comments on this website...the only hold up to the purchase was finding available tires..... wire went thru so I've purchased a set....thanks all.

Edited December 12, 2025 by Reiver

[Davemk1]

Like many, I'm looking for some new 13" tires for my Seven. I see that Tire Rack has a Vredestein Sprint Classic in my needed 205/60-13 size and I wonder if anyone here has used them.

 

I would be using them in the street only. In the past I've used the Toyo RA1 and liked them a lot. They wear pretty quickly, but this is to be expected as I have a pretty aggressive alignment to work with the bias ply slicks I use for autocross...but they are smooth and the grip is huge. I could see the Vredesteins having less grip and that could be fine on the street...it could even be more fun and a bit playful.

 

I have two concerns about the Vredestein. First is vanity. They have an old school vintage tread pattern and I don't love that. Silly I know but that's a thing for me. Secondly the tread width is listed as being much narrower than the same size Toyo. The Vredestein is listed as having a tread width of 5.5" and the Toyo is 6.9". That's a huge difference in size of footprint and I worry that my fairly high HP car will overwhelm them too easily.

 

Thoughts?

 

dave

 

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Vredestein&tireModel=Sprint+Classic&partnum=06VR3SCV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[Reiver]

Does you 7 have clamshell fenders or cycle ...skinnies on a clamshell would look ok...do you like to throttle steer?  I suspect you'd overpower those in quick order.

[Carz01]

@Davemk1 I’ve used the Sprint Classic in 15” for one of my cars. I liked the drivability of the tire and didn’t mind the vintage look. 

[Reiver]

The 'other' is a front tire for the C8.... thanks for the input.

[Reiver]

the 60 gives close to 1/2 in more clearance than the 55...nice for the street prob not a plus for the track. 

[Reiver]

Repost of similar comments.

 

The Toyo's are not only a higher aspect tire but their sidewall profile is more pronounced/wider.  On my 7 both fronts rubbed on the cycle fender struts.  Slightly on the passenger side and heavily on the driver side.  

1/8th in spacers were too little so went with 6mm.  That did the trick.  Bending the supports (they are stout) would have put the cover too far to the inside.  Short of grinding where the tire rubbed or cutting and rewelding that's about it.  No interference on the rears and the studs are too short (longer on the fronts) for the use of spacers unless you replaced them.

For the 12x1.5 studs you need a minimum of 6.5 turns/rotations and there is more than that up front.  Used a little lock tite too.