Yep, snow, its only round the corner whether you want to believe it or not!
I'm after some 18" steel wheels to fit some snow tyres to so that I can store my alloys and 'normal' tyres over the cold white winter we are having predicted. Its a Ford and it seems Ford dont do 18" steel wheels, tried a few after market companies and a similiar story, happy to sell me a set of 18" alloys but apparantly nobody on the planet sells that size steel wheels. Is that a sales tactic to get me to spend more money....I'm a Northerner, it aint going to work! ;D
Last year I used snow socks which were brilliant but the simplicity of having snow tyres on is appealing and clearly more practical. If anyone can suggest where I might get what I am looking for that would be appreciated. 8)
LW, are you sure they make snow tyres in 18s? 16s are the biggest I have seen when I have looked in the past.
I would suggest smaller size tyres (with a much larger profile to bring the rolling radius back up) will be cheaper, easier to find, and perform better in the snow as they have more ability to flex and build temperature in the carcass.
Martin
Martin, funnily enough it had been suggested to me that I might have trouble getting 18" snow tyres!! I just thought if they made normal 18's they'd be 18" snow tyres somewhere out there.
When you mention smaller size tyres with a much larger profile to bring the rolling radius back up I have to admit I dont know what that means. My normal tyres are 235/40 ZR18 95W XL
Ideally I want a suitable temporary replacement which wont play havoc with the speedo and any other of the gubbins, i.e. traction control, abs etc.
LW,
The /40 bit in your 235/40 tyre size is the aspect ratio which means the tyre's sidewall height, measured as a percentage of the tyre's width - eg. 40% of 235mm = 94mm.
Thus the total wheel and tyre diameter is 18" + 2 lots of 94mm (yes, it is poor form that tyre measurements combine units) = 645.2mm.
If you were to swap to 235/55 16" wheels and tyres, your total diamater now is 664.9mm , essentially 2.9% bigger than your current wheels and tyres.
http://www.willtheyfit.com is one of many website where you can play with tyre sizes to see what will work.
All that matters to your speedo and the ABS/TC etc is that the overall tyre's circumference remains the same, or very similar. The diameter of just the wheel is irrelevant.
Hope this makes a little sense,
Martin.
How do people know all this shit?
Many thanks Martin, as you say this looks like the only viable option.
Internet Mr Wolf.
I found for instance that Bridgestone definitely make 235/40 R18 Winter tyres.
I don't know if they sell them in the UK, though.
But they are available in countries like Germany where winter tyres are compulsory on cars in the cold months.
They aren't cheap @ over £200 a pop.
Maybe you can get some 18" steel wheels on the continent too.
Steve, go for a smaller wheel size with a deeper sidewall (as explained above) and you will get cheaper tyres!
They aint cheap. Don't need snow tyres really, just winter tyres.
If you really need to go for snow capability get some snow chains, but in this country I doubt you would use them much (and they are a PITA to fit.)
Snow Socks are crap really, so I wouldn't bother.
Winter tyres are designed to work better than standard at 7 degrees and lower.
Snow tyres are mega bucks usually in comparison and the 'snow' bit wears quickly on non snowy roads reducing them to winter tyres (they lose the fine sipes)
On the door pillar drivers side is tyre size and pressure data sticker. Just check that out and as previous poster says go for smaller wheel with deeper side wall and you should be sorted ATS do storage for tyres in an advert I saw last week.
Thanks folks for all the info, reckon thats the right direction to go then, smaller wheels, tyres with a deeper side wall.
car booked in beginning november, had looked at those fabric auto socks as we only get "soft southern snow but been assured money best spent on winter tyres, anyone got any hints on do's/dont's for purchasing em ??
Quote from: mecki on October 07, 2011, 11:41:53 AM
Internet Mr Wolf.
I found for instance that Bridgestone definitely make 235/40 R18 Winter tyres.
I don't know if they sell them in the UK, though.
But they are available in countries like Germany where winter tyres are compulsory on cars in the cold months.
They aren't cheap @ over £200 a pop.
Maybe you can get some 18" steel wheels on the continent too.
My Brother in law gets his winter tyres deleivered from Germany and it seems he's going to get some for me from there. He'll order them from work as he works in the car trade and probbaly get a bit of discount which is always handy.
Quote from: Therenback on October 08, 2011, 08:38:51 PM
car booked in beginning november, had looked at those fabric auto socks as we only get "soft southern snow but been assured money best spent on winter tyres, anyone got any hints on do's/dont's for purchasing em ??
The winter tyres are always the best option as they are hassle free. I used snow socks on the Mondeo last year and I have to admit they were brilliant. Just a bit faffy putting on when needed and then taking off when you get back onto a stretch of snow free tarmac. If you leave them on you damage the Kevlar.
Gonna go with tyre option but also discovered a Polaris quad dealer near may pick up a cheap one if snow warrants it
I used to ride a Honda XR500 in Winter.
With Enduro tyres they are great on snow and ice; and if you should drop it you just pick it up and ride on.
And who wants to ride at 80+ mph in Winter anyway?
But nowadays there isn't enough chance of snow to justify the expense of having 2 bikes for me.
Mecki, not sure about that. The last two winters have been pretty bleak and white and it's forecast for a similar experience this winter. I think snow fall has even been forecast in certain parts of the Scottish Highlands this month.
Last year was quite extreme, but before that we had several years with no snow at all.
It just isn't worthwhile for me to buy another Enduro.
I walk to work, live about 150m from the next bus stop and the nearest supermarket is only a mile's walk away.
So if I need to go shopping for groceries I put on my backpack and go for a walk in the snow if need be.
And if I have to transport something bulky and my friends can't give me a ride it's still cheaper to take a taxi than owning a car.
When I had the XR500 I lived out in the countryside about 10km from the next town, there was no public transport so I really needed some form of individual transport. And for that Enduros are great in Winter.
Unless it's -30 degrees of course. Then it can be a real pain. ::)
mecki, finally decided on what I'm getting. Vredestein snow trac 3's and a set of new 16" steel wheels. Not a cheap option at £800 but oh joy at least I'll be able to get to work now... ::)
Quote from: Lonewolf on October 18, 2011, 05:13:36 PM
mecki, finally decided on what I'm getting. Vredestein snow trac 3's and a set of new 16" steel wheels. Not a cheap option at £800 but oh joy at least I'll be able to get to work now... ::)
Can I just say to the "tyre warmers - southener" commenting honorable member, with tongue firmly in cheek, ya great poof .... ;D
(http://www.trackandrace.com/Images/1400GTR/SnowGTR1.jpg)
(http://www.trackandrace.com/Images/1400GTR/SnowGTR2.jpg)
(http://www.trackandrace.com/Images/1400GTR/SnowGTR3.jpg)
(http://www.trackandrace.com/Images/1400GTR/SnowGTR4.jpg)
Martin
;D Do you know that the Mental Health Act covers public car parks as well, you nutter. What the hell are you doing riding the GTR in that!!!???? ;D
Get real. You can see that the bike was already standing there before it started snowing and hasn't been moved since.
Quote from: mecki on October 18, 2011, 05:55:33 PM
Get real. You can see that the bike was already standing there before it started snowing and hasn't been moved since.
It has to get out again though doesn't it?
It was an inch of snow in the morning when I set off, stayed at this hotel for the day and overnight, then awoke to the scene pictured above.
Rode home shortly after the pics were taken. To be honest, the mile long hotel drive was the worst, the roads were gritted and fairly clear. Traction control worked a treat on the hotel drive though - kept it all nice and inline.
Fresh snow is surprisingly grippy, its the sheet ice that is the problem. Had to abandon the bike 4 miles from home and walk back before now.
Damn you work, and your lack of car parking facilities ;)
Martin.
In snow my motto is 4 wheels good, 2 wheels bad. 4x4 even better!
Quote from: Kwikasfuki on October 18, 2011, 08:39:38 PM
In snow my motto is 4 wheels good, 2 wheels bad. 4x4 even better!
Sat at Home on my fat arse even bettererererer
I just walk or take the bus.