| Re: [GMCnet] Bigger Tires [message #107338] |
Thu, 02 December 2010 17:15 |
Gary Casey
Messages: 448
Registered: September 2009
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Richard,
With regard to larger diameter rims, what you said is about the long and short
of it. It started as a way to increase brake diameter, but progressed into a
style thing. I think the huge oversize tire (I think some are approaching 30
inches) it is strictly style and the tires have such little sidewall the ride
must be terrible. And I'm told that as the tire aspect ratio gets down to 45 or
less, the wheels are very susceptible to impact damage from curbs or chuckholes.
But, unless the owner is a serious enthusiast, I don't think larger brakes are
typically fitted inside larger tires. And the diameter of the brake rotor has
very little to do with stopping distance as long as the brake is capable of
locking the wheels. It has everything to do with resisting fade from repeated
stops, though.
And from the tone of your comment I assume that you assume that the outside
diameter (some call it the "rolling radius") stays the same. In our coaches
there is not much room for a larger diameter tire. I have 3 sizes on mine (some
would say that's not the best arrangement, and I would agree!). The 225/75-16
is about the same diameter as the 8.75-16.5, but the 215/85-16 is almost an inch
larger in diameter than the others. It does not make a good fit in the rear. I
would suggest that if one wants to change the effective gearing he looks for
another way than changing tire diameter.
Gary Casey
I have asked that question, myself. Here's the answer I got. It was originally
done on Formula 1 cars to allow the use of larger brakes to be fitted.Other
types of racing followed suit. Some people put them on for looks, but the only
practical reason to fit them is to allow bigger disc brake rotors to be fitted
while keeping tire diameter within reason with low-profile tires. Ride quality
sucks with low-profile tires, but handling improves up to a point because
shorter sidewalls deflect less in corners. I think that 90% of the big rims are
fitted for looks, but it started out as a practical solution to a problem.
?? Personally, I'm a believer in the idea that a vehicle should stop better than
is runs. Every inch of stopping distance reduced counts.
Richard & Carol Brown
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