Buying tyres

Post by **sixdogsisback** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:08 pm

I have not seen any tyres for sale recently, are they hard come by? What is the best source for 14 inch radials?.

I met a fellow yesterday who had 13 inch wheels fitted to his Minor. I think he said they were off an A40 Farina. The 13 inch tyres are cheap and readily available, but I think this set up will affect the gearing and make the car even more low geared than it already is. He reckons it does not. Anyone got any ideas on this ?

Cheers, Clive.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:39 pm

There's a set of 14" wheels with new tyres in the Sales section right now!
You can of course fit 13" wheels - but they drop the gearing slightly - and look a bit 'lost' in the wheel arches.

Post by **simmitc** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:47 pm

Most of the dealers have a ready supply of tyres. They're nowhere near as cheap as they used to be, and the selection is not as good, but Bridgestone is still available and arguably the best tyre fot the Minor in daily use.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:43 pm

Other thread says TOYO are far better!

Post by **HUMBLEPIE** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:07 am

I have just purchased a set of Toyos 155x14 replaceing Nangkang 165 70 x14 the difference is remarkable, I go up hills which I used to change down I don't now. I paid £35 including balance and vat. My supplier put them on back order and they turned up in 2 weeks. I would certainly recommend them.

Post by **sixdogsisback** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:19 pm

Thanks, I hadn't thought to look in the parts section on the message board.

Regards going up hills easier with the Toyos, it suggests they have made the gearing lower by being smaller outside diameter. This would be the last thing I want as I'm running 1098cc engine with a 4.55/1 diff. I think I will stick with the Bridgestone.

Clive

Post by **PSL184** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 6:27 pm

I can't understand the statement been made about the tyre size differences above. A 155 x 14 has a bigger rolling diameter than a 165 70 x 14 so it would give slower acceleration but more top speed (at least in theory but the actual difference is negligable). Anyway, my point is that different makes of tyre don't change the rolling radius its the different sizes that do that.....

Post by **HUMBLEPIE** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:40 pm

I wasn't saying it was because they were Toyos, but I am assuming 145x14 have less rubber on the road giving less resistance allowing her to pull up hills better than before.