New Tyres?

[Boomlander]

Hi All,
Having had the fright of my life driving Jethro on his old cross ply tyres I have decided to splash out on new radials.
Am I right in assuming that 155/80/14 tubeless tyres will fit the original steel wheels without problems?
The tyres on now appear to be 5.20/14 with inner tubes. Also is it feasible to fit an engine steady rod to a 1953 series 2 with later 948cc lump?
Thanks.

[chrisryder]

155/80 R14 are fine.

i've found www.blackcircles.com to be very competitive on price.

not sure on the engine steady. if there's suitable fixing points under the battery 'box' towards the drivers side then it could bolt straight on.

[orb596]

I have 145/14's on my Traveller and they are very good. On the other hand I'm still driving my Series MM on crossplies and think it drives very well indeed as long as you take it easy on the corners! I wouldn't change the MM's crossplies for all the tea in China!

[mike.perry]

There used to be a kit which mounted the steady bar to the spare threaded holes by the damper
I would not run my Series MM on cross plys for all the tea in China

[kennatt]

absolutly nothing to be gained with cross ply,evrything with radials including your life and the life of every other road user.

[IaininTenbury]

theres a world of difference between ancient 30+year old crossplies that we still find on cars and the new remanufactured crossplies from the various vintage tyre suppliers.

[Alec]

Hello Kennatt,

there is nothing wrong with crossplies and they do give better handling than radials. They certainly are not dangerous.

Alec

[Neil MG]

I wouldn't quite go that far Alec!

But I do love the feel of my Dunlop crossplys. While I could never accept that they provide "better handling",they do give a very nice ride and are extremely predictable. Maybe not for the inexperienced, but as far as I am concerned they are part of the enjoyment of the Minor experience. I don't have seatbelts or flashing indicators either and do not suggest that it's for everyone, but for me it's the only way!

[Alec]

Hello Neil,

are you confusing handling with roadholding? As you say they are more predictable which is the essence of handling.

I remember the debut of radials and the view of that day was that they gave better grip but if they lost adhesion then you had to be quick to catch the slide. Obviously things have improved from that and also drivers learnt to use them.

Alec

[bmcecosse]

I used to run my Minis on low profile Avon Wide Safety crossply tyres - and yes the handling was terrific - I could slide the car around when I wanted to, and the road holding was all I could use. Ran them almost bald (if dry) on my track car at Sprints, and with tread on my Rally car for Tour of Mull - and on my road car . I then went to work for UniRoyal - making radial tyres, which they gave me free as 'test tyres' and so obviously my loyalties changed.....on my road car. But I still preferred the cross ply Wide Safetys on the other two!

[mike.perry]

Anyone any experience of Dunlop Groundhogs?

[Boomlander]

Lots of good advice, thanks very much folks and have a happy New Year.

[Nerys]

When researching the modernisation of "Nerys's" running gear a did a lot of research into tyre options. I wanted to keep the original rims but with the best modern tyre that I could fit for grip, handling and ride. She now runs on Dunlop SR30's 65/170 R14. Happens to be the smallest modern tyre Dunlop make and at the same time the largest that can be fitted on the standard rim. In short the're brill! One always has to remember with tyres that the only thing that keeps the car in contact with the road is four small patches of rubber about the size of the sole of your shoe; don't compromise on price, get the best

[bmcecosse]

That's a very strange tyre code you quote - are you sure ? The widest tyre that can sensibly be used on the standard rim is 155 wide - and even that is a bit wobbly to say the least, but useable if inflated to just over 30 psi. They are far far better on the 4.5" wide rim, which can also take a 165 wide tyre.

[mike.perry]

Having tried various tyre pressures, my Series MM handles best with its 155/80/14s at 26psi all round. It is probably faster through twisty bends than my 1275 Traveller on 175/80/13 tyres

[Nerys]

Yes I am sure, I actually went to the car to read it off the tyre to make sure I got it right. Nerys has been on these since 2007 with no problems at all. I'm pretty sure they were fitted with inner tubes. I also run them at slightly higher pressures, 32F and 34R which lightens the steering noticeably. Believe me I wouldn't have put these on if I hadn't researched it properly. The great thing about them is that they are a modern tyre from a respectable manufacturer, not a cheap asain tyre from God knows who!

[Nerys]

Further to previous reply, with an aspect ratio of 65 and a width of 170 the rolling radius is almost identical to original spec so the speedo isn't affected; reminds me must get that fixed, hasn't worked for 15 years or so but suprisingly isn't an MoT failure !

[bmcecosse]

I've never seen a tyre spec listed that way round (aspect ratio before width) - and I have never seen a width of '170' listed before. 165 - yes and 175 - yes. 170 ???? If you are happy with them - bonne chance !
Is it possible you have the 4.5" wide wheels - without realising?

[mike.perry]

I think that you have the 1 in the wrong place. 165/70/R14s?

[Nerys]

Not likely, I have owned Nerys since 1984 and am only her second owner. Just checked Dunlops website and interestingly the 170 width isn't quoted, curious, I will research further.