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Old 07-08-2006, 09:26 AM   #1
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Tyre Width

Question of the day. Do skinny space saver tyres have less grip than normal full size tyres? Why?
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Old 07-08-2006, 09:41 AM   #2
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you could probably work out the answer to that by carefully analysing a selection of skid marks
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Old 07-08-2006, 09:42 AM   #3
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good idea!

Off with the pants then Yorkie boy!!
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Old 07-08-2006, 09:54 AM   #4
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Stupid Boy!
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Old 07-08-2006, 09:59 AM   #5
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Stupid Boy!
What?

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Old 07-08-2006, 10:11 AM   #6
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Re: Tyre Width

Quote:
Originally posted by Matt
Question of the day. Do skinny space saver tyres have less grip than normal full size tyres? Why?
Mm.. let's think about that shall we? Take a racing car.. grip is everything to carry corner speed, get the power down, grip for braking... how many of them do ya see racing round on a set of 2CV rims/tyres?....however.. how many "trials cars" carry fat tyres?...none..... but we are then talking about "cutting through" the surface to find grip.....
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Old 07-08-2006, 10:14 AM   #7
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No, we're talking about on a good tarmac road surface, not rally cars on gravel or slush.
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:12 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally posted by Matt
No, we're talking about on a good tarmac road surface, not rally cars on gravel or slush.
In this instance wider is better.

When I raced on good old tarmac, we had to run standard road tyres. So to get better grip we skimmed the tyres, down to just under 1mm tread depth. This widened the tread, amalgamated tread into bigger patches. The net effect was better grip.

If however you are in slush or other crap, then thin tyres push through the crap and get grip due to more pressure on a smaller area.
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:14 PM   #9
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Why?
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:18 PM   #10
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As there is less surface area in contact with the road and so less friction is made - the more friction there is the more grip, with a smaller tyre there is less surface area and so less grip. it does also depend on the compound of the tyre and grooves on the tyre.
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:20 PM   #11
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So grip is proportional to the surface area of the tyre in contact with the road?
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:23 PM   #12
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If the tyres are of the same compound and grooves, but on equal conditions then yes the grip should be proportional
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:27 PM   #13
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If the tyres are of the same compound and grooves, but on equal conditions then yes the grip should be proportional
Agreed.
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Old 07-08-2006, 12:56 PM   #14
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Not necacelery

The narrower tyre will squash more thus possibly giving a similar sized footprint and similar traction. However in a corner they will deform more thus losing cornering grip. I think every application probably has an optimum width but in the case of space saver vs. normal tyre on dry tarmac I'd have thought the normal tyre would have the most grip.
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:01 PM   #15
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Think of your favorite 90 turn left or right it dont matter
Now drive round it as fast as you possibly can with normal tyres fitted. note speed. remove all normal tyres & fit space savers and carry out the exercise again......
Please post results & photgraphs.............
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:02 PM   #16
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I expected more from you guys.
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:04 PM   #17
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Yup thats the only way to be sure. Off you go then Matt!!!
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:05 PM   #18
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I expected more from you guys.
Tell us then you nobba!!!
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:14 PM   #19
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Re: Tyre Width

Quote:
Originally posted by Matt
Question of the day. Do skinny space saver tyres have less grip than normal full size tyres? Why?
They may do, or they may not, depending of the softness of the rubber and the tread pattern. Given the same surface and the same tyre compound and tread pattern, grip is not dependent on tyre width.

It's counter intuitive, but that's the way the physics works.

The amount of grip is related to both the surface area of the contact patch, and the pressure of the tyre on the road. Pressure is "weight divided by contact area", so decreasing the size of the contact patch increases the pressure keeping the grip constant.

Large tyres are used on high performance cars because it means you can use a softer compound without destroying the tyre.

Do I get a star Matt?
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Old 07-08-2006, 01:16 PM   #20
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Very good Mr Rocket. 10/10, and you can have a gold star.
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