Recommend me intermediate tyres

Recommend me intermediate tyres

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Discussion

GreigM

Original Poster:

6,726 posts

248 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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So I've got slicks and full wets, but given where I live (the frozen wastelands of Scotland) I often find myself at a track day where it is cold and/or damp - not enough for full wets while slicks are taking too long to get temperature and on a sessioned day I can find they just never get warm enough.

So I'm looking for a good intermediate option, which is preferrably:
  • very quick to come up to temperature
  • isn't completely useless if the rain comes on a bit heavier mid-session
I imagine I'm looking for something in a fairly soft compound. I used to have a set of R888 in SG compound which would be ideal, but can't locate these for love nor money. Have also tried A048s and Avon CR500, neither of which I rate when the temps are low (we're talking 3C or below).

So, what are my real options (wheels are standard caterham 8" rear, 6" front, 13" diameter)?
A021R? - seem to get mixed reviews
Avon ZZR? - How quickly do they get up to temp, any use if a bit damp, a bit too "slick" like?
Kumho V70A? - can get a nice soft compound, anyone with experience
Hancook Z209? - never heard of them but claim to be good in damp and come in nice soft compound

any others?

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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I think 888's aren't meant to see freezing temps. Tried the usual suspects of Camskill, George Polly?

I currently run 021s as an all round tyre. This consists of road use and all weathers all year long. I tracked Goodwood with them, the rain started to come in but the held fine. They are a wet Motorsport tyre.

I used to run 048s all year but found them not too great in the wet wet wet, same for the 888's which started the ball rolling on my tyre change.

Only used those three, probably not much help!

DCL

1,215 posts

178 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
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I'm currently a fan of the kumho v70 in soft compound but they do tend to overheat and start to melt in the dry after a few laps. In the damp and wet they're are the best I've tried but standing water needs caution. New zzr's are good too, but I've found they harden up before they wear out and become hopeless in the wet. I guess the slicks might be like that too.

GreigM

Original Poster:

6,726 posts

248 months

Tuesday 19th August 2014
quotequote all
DCL said:
I'm currently a fan of the kumho v70 in soft compound but they do tend to overheat and start to melt in the dry after a few laps. In the damp and wet they're are the best I've tried but standing water needs caution. New zzr's are good too, but I've found they harden up before they wear out and become hopeless in the wet. I guess the slicks might be like that too.
Thats the 2nd recommendation I've had for these, so think thats the way I'm going to go. Just need to work out the sizes to use now.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
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I've used CR500s in low temps. They take 3 laps or so to come up to temp and then they're fine, predictable and handle standing water well. Note that IIRC there was a compound change on CR500s and the later ones performed better.

48s or similar just never warm up. 21s are a good tyre but IMHO too much tread and move around too much when warm.

JeffC

1,685 posts

211 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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I used the Cr500s for an intermediate Greig, in fact I used them for wet as although not the ultimate for grip I found them really predictable and great fun for sliding around , they are also the best road tyre that I had on that car, I did have a spell on medium compound 888s which were better in wet and dry than the cr500s but the stiff side walls made it a harsh ride on the road hence I swapped back.

I have run Kumhos v70 in medium on previous Caterham race car but didnt rate them in the wet at all ! A soft compound 888 is very good in the wet though however they can quickly go off if the track dries.

Ps . try Luke at Playskool Motorsport up the road from me, he can get the Toyos.

tight fart

2,872 posts

272 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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ACB10s?

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
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21Rs are the best all round tyres I've ever had on mine (and have tried most). Their biggest down side is weight.

They are very progressive IMO, which is a decent trait on the road as far as I'm concerned. And I've used them all year round without issue.

The extra tread blocks also help them warm up, though tyres will always struggle on a 7 in seriously cold IMO due to the low weight of the car.