Wheel size change: Can I really improve FE?

[bikemaniac]

If I stay with the smaller tires (either 14 or 15 inch) I notice 2 things:

a) There is a much larger choice of tires if I stay with 15 inch compared to 14 inch.
b) In the 14 and 15 inch sizes I have not yet found a tire specifically marketed as a low rolling resistance tire (all season).

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by bikemaniac

If I stay with the smaller tires (either 14 or 15 inch) I notice 2 things:

a) There is a much larger choice of tires if I stay with 15 inch compared to 14 inch.
b) In the 14 and 15 inch sizes I have not yet found a tire specifically marketed as a low rolling resistance tire (all season).

I can't speak for the European market, but most manufacturers have a line of tires that are LRR. For example, Michelin's Energy Saver (or Defender) lines, Continental's Eco Contacts (what I have installed), Hankook's Kinergy Eco.

I reference TyreReviews.com sometimes. For example: https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tes...-Tyre-Test.htm

In this review, they found the top 3 lowest RR to be the Giti GitiSynergy E1, Bridgestone Turanza T005 and Michelin Energy Saver. #4 was the Vredestein Sportrac 5, a tire I've run in the past and can speak positively about, except for its snow performance.

[bikemaniac]

I can't find any All season LRR Tires. Summer LRR are easy to find.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by bikemaniac

I can't find any All season LRR Tires. Summer LRR are easy to find.

Nokian produced a winter tire such good performance (low RR, traction, wear), that many Ecomodders used them year round. Even in the summer the wear was not bad.

There are many places where you must use winter tires in the winter, but I am not aware of not being able to use them in the summer.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Winter tires can be used in the summer, but I wouldn't. You're using up that tread depth that's so critical in winter driving. I like having two sets of wheels/tires. Even if using all-season/all-weather tires, you still have to replace tires more often to have enough tread depth for winter driving.

But if you really want just one set of tires, get the Michelin Cross Climate.