Tyres

Author
Discussion

kinderrr

Original Poster:

46 posts

110 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
quotequote all
About to plan my roadtrip, driving in the alps this spring early summer. Wondering what set of tyres i should go for. Thinking weather could go from anywhere between warm and dry to slippery wet and cold(?). Therefore am a bit worry that my avan 048 semi slick is not the right choice (though I love them on the track). So anyone have done a trip to the alps and what tyres have they used?

DCL

1,216 posts

179 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
I would have thought the CR500 would be a good choice - particularly in the extreme wet that you may find yourself. But you may struggle to get them and the ZZS is also a good all rounder, but my experience in the wet was that the ZZS was not as good as the CR500. They also have significantly different diameters, so a ride height check would be sensible.

Dave J

884 posts

266 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
48 and R888r are ok in the wet but they can be buttock clenching in standing water and lorry tracks on motorways . i've done several trips with R888's and moderated speed to the conditions .
The most important bit is to go with new ones as 3500 miles to and around the alps will need all the tread you can get for when you come back off the ferry

shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Sunday 15th January 2017
quotequote all
ZZS all the way, I have a539's on mine and although fun in the dry they are terrifying in the wet.

The ZZS I've driven on a 420R in snow, wet, dry and greasy conditions and they always inspire confidence. Worth every penny imho.

In fact they are so good that my concern on my little roadsport they would offer too much grip to allow slip under anything but the most hardcore driving.

framerateuk

2,733 posts

184 months

Monday 16th January 2017
quotequote all
I've found both the CR500 and ZZS excellent in wet weather and the cold. The CR500 seem to give a softer ride, but the ZZS grip better on the track. Aside from the ride difference they feel quite similar on the road.

I've currently got two sets of wheels with ZZS and CR500 so have been able to compare quite well.

radical78

398 posts

144 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
yoko ao21r work well in all conditions

kinderrr

Original Poster:

46 posts

110 months

Thursday 19th January 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for all advice. I'll go for the zzs,and looking fwd to the alps this summer.


framerateuk said:
I've found both the CR500 and ZZS excellent in wet weather and the cold. The CR500 seem to give a softer ride, but the ZZS grip better on the track. Aside from the ride difference they feel quite similar on the road.

I've currently got two sets of wheels with ZZS and CR500 so have been able to compare quite well.

Eugene7

739 posts

194 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
For touring the sidewall height of the ZZS would worry me, depending on the sump/gearbox clearance you have...

Abbott

2,391 posts

203 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
radical78 said:
yoko ao21r work well in all conditions
They are no longer road legal which is why everyone is looking for an alternative

kinderrr

Original Poster:

46 posts

110 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
Could you plese explain this concen for me am not sure i understand.
Eugene7 said:
For touring the sidewall height of the ZZS would worry me, depending on the sump/gearbox clearance you have...

shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
smaller tyres change the height your car sits off the ground.

if you don't have adjustable platform suspension, then you may end up too close to the ground if you've come from 185/70/13 down to something like a 185/55/13.

Even with adjustable platforms, you want the lower wishbones to be as level as possible, so dialing up suspension height isn't always possible.

shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Friday 20th January 2017
quotequote all
I'd love to see some people talking about the Nankang NS2-R tyres on a Caterham. They look by all rights to be quite a good tyre, but very little information out there on their suitability for a seven!

Eugene7

739 posts

194 months

Saturday 21st January 2017
quotequote all
I agree, I'd love to see some Caterham related experience on the Nankang NS2-R too (asked as much in the Kumho v70 thread...)

shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Sunday 22nd January 2017
quotequote all
For all they cost, I may just buy a set and try them.

Eugene7

739 posts

194 months

Tuesday 24th January 2017
quotequote all
A Caterham driver has commented on the NS-2R's here: http://www.7-dna.com/forums/index.php?action=vthre...


shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Tuesday 24th January 2017
quotequote all
yeah i found one other driver that had them as well. Wear Rate seems very poor. Meaning that per mile, they cost more than Avon ZZS / ZZR

I'll just stick to what works huh!

Amris

157 posts

168 months

Wednesday 25th January 2017
quotequote all
have tried R888, ZZS and ZZR and its ZZS all the way for me too. Great all round performance and road speeds.

Eugene7

739 posts

194 months

Wednesday 25th January 2017
quotequote all
I'm not putting 55 profile tyres on Eugene...
I'd hit just about any bump on the road above the size of a dog-end..!


shrink1061

102 posts

91 months

Wednesday 25th January 2017
quotequote all
You can't raise the ride height?

Eugene7

739 posts

194 months

Tuesday 31st January 2017
quotequote all
shrink1061 said:
You can't raise the ride height?
No, geometry needs to be set correctly for handling, not for ride height.
As said in the other thread having the lower front wishbones parallel to the ground is a good rule of thumb.
Deviating far form that will cause handling issues.