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Old 09-25-2011, 11:31 AM   #132 (permalink)
CapriRacer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4 View Post
How did this "narrow is better" and smaller is better myth start?
If you don't have the Smithers data to look at, it might be logical. But the thing the Smithers data points out is that there is a HUGE difference in RR within the same size - AND - that larger tires are more efficient.

If folks were to try to do A-B type testing - which is what would happen in the real world - then the small differences obtained by tire size would be lost in the mud.

But the one thing the Smithers data doesn't address is what happens when you adjust the inflation pressure to get the same load carrying capacity. That is still an unknown. We have some indication - and the indication is that this is the only scenario where "smaller is better" actually works. Needless to say, if the intent is to wring the last bit of RR out of a tire, then that is NOT where you want to go.
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