Bridgestone Announces Large Diameter Narrow Tires

[Frank Lee]

It's an amazement to me that the thread got to 4 pages without someone pointing out the obvious.

I thought I did that.

[freebeard]

OK, I'll grant you that.

Permalink #3

Actually, it was a joke that was a little too obscure. Isn't it obvious to all that you can bolt '31 Chryslers wire up to a Ford? And I probably thought '30s &40s VW'.

What I'm looking forward to in about a year's time is a full fendered Beetle with Ford wire wheels under the stock fenders, on the cover of Hot VWs.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by sheepdog 44

If you had some light weight rims,

Which will be something of a challenge in 19" !

[NeilBlanchard]

Well, the outside diameter of the tire is only a bit larger than a typical 15" wheel, so the tire is actually much smaller. Most of the difference is in the center hub to the rim. We'd have to see an actual wheel to know whether there is an different in weight.

[freebeard]

But it's so much fun to speculate. Here's an article on comparing steel wheels with Centerline Convo Pro, which I suspect is as light a wheel as you will find:
Light Wheels Vs Heavy Wheels - Wheel Tech - Comparison - Car Craft

Considering only the front, the weights:
M/T E.T. Front 26x4.5-15 11.42lb
Convo Pro Aluminum 15x4 9.64lb
Rally Steel 15x4 18.78lb

The rear Centerlines:
Convo Pro Aluminum 15x7 11.13lb
Convo Pro Aluminum 15x8 12.43lb

The weight of a 4x19 Centerline, if it existed would be about 11-12lb.

Another way to look at it is the aluminum wheel and the tire have similar weight, while the steel wheel is 50% greater. so it looks like on forged aluminum the weight would be nominal, but on steel the 19" tire combo would be heavier.

I'm pretty sure cars raced on aluminum wire wheels in the 30s, but you'd be paying museum prices. Can you lace an aluminum motorcycle rim on car spokes and hub?

[Saskwatchian]

I would love to see winter tires in those kind of sizes. It might be a bumpy ride (especially before the suspension warms up) but they should cut through on-road snow and slush significantly better than wider alternatives.

For summer though I am happy with a more conventional tire size.

[NeilBlanchard]

I'll bet the weigh of the tire itself is considerably lighter weight than a traditional tire with a similar outside diameter. With smaller tread carcass and smaller sidewalls the structural strength requires less material - and there *is* less volume of material in the tire.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I thought Rabbits had 13s and GTIs had 14s?

Oh, to be as cute as the cat!

Whoops. That's right. 13s. My 84 GLI had the coveted 185/60R14s.

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I'll bet the weigh of the tire itself is considerably lighter weight than a traditional tire with a similar outside diameter. With smaller tread carcass and smaller sidewalls the structural strength requires less material - and there *is* less volume of material in the tire.

I think you are right.

[Saskwatchian]

I don't think that they would be able to build these tires thinner than conventional tires if that is what you mean. Less volume would require more pressure for the same weight carrying capacity and therefore a stronger construction.


Even with a stronger build the size difference probably still makes them lighter though.


If these go into production I could see a few of them going on the front of rear engine cars.

[NeilBlanchard]

I contacted Bridgestone today asking about their "Large & Narrow" tire; asking both about if/when it will be available, and whether they will be supplying a wheel to go with it. I'll post any answer they give me here!