What are your ROAD tyre recommendations and sizes?

[mikeinsheffield]

Hi Guys,

I was hoping for your thoughts on replacement tyres for 18" spiders for ROAD use....

I've only ran Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetrics on mine over the last 5 1/2 years, and have been pretty happy with them as a ROAD tyre.

Had been running 255 / 35 rears with 225 / 35 fronts.

When I last replaced them, I went up a size on the fronts to 235 / 40 in order to try and get a slightly larger footprint for turn in grip, and also a slightly taller sidewall for the miniscule effect on comfort... There has been some minor rubbing on full lock under load, e.g. tight roundabout, but nothing of concern.

My driving is mostly on the road, I do the TVRCC track day once per year so track performance isn't of primary concern for me. Besides, I've just purchased a second set of spiders so could always go down the sticky tyres on second set of wheels option if needed (what are you recommendations for a sticky road and track tyre?).

I'm interested in a fast ROAD tyre, as I want something that will work in three seasons (therefore give grip when the temperatures aren't at summer peaks), cope with the wet without spitting me off the road, deal with bumpy / sh!te road surfaces (I drive a lot in the Peaks and Derbyshire where the road surfaces are far from perfect), and give decent all round performance. I'm not too bothered about longevity as grip is more important.

Has anyone tried the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2's ??
What elso would you guys recommend?

Thanks for your comments.

[mikeinsheffield]

Cheers guys for your quick replies.

Standing water... what tyres do like that? I have had a few butt-clenching moments hitting standing water on the motorway in the Cerb...

But forgive my initial scepticism Gruffalo but I don't think that for a ROAD tyre I'm looking for an ultragrippy road legal trackday tyre... From my experience with Motorbikes, the track oriented tyres generally take far too long to warm up to optimal operating temperature on the road, therefore (perversely) offer LESS grip in typical road conditions unless continually pushed hard... On motorbikes I have tended to go for the sporty end of sports-touring rubber (Michelin Pilot Road 2s) that offer plently of grip int he dry, but warm up fairly fast and work in cooler conditions (e.g. spring and autumn).

I think that I'm looking for this type of performance for a car tyre.... Not too worried about outright grip at the cost of everything else, as I'm not looking to shave a few tenths off my lap time, but a good all round grippy road tyre....

[mikeinsheffield]

Gazzab said:

I hate my 40s on the front. Have toyo all round and don't really like them that much. So hope to at least replace the fronts with 35s

Hi Gary,
What was your major issue?
Did you get lots of rubbing?
(Why did typing that sentance bring to mind images of Vic Reeves looking at female guests ....?)

[mikeinsheffield]

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

Cerb booked in for MOT on Monday (fingers crossed...) and with 2-3mm on all four tyres, although they will (should?) be an MOT pass, I deffo need a new set of boots v v v soon.

Looks like Goodyear Eagle F1's or Toyo Proxes are preferred options - I will look into availabilty for both....

Is it only Gary (Gazzab) and myself that went up a size on the fronts?
I didn't get much rubbing (oo-er) as my OP stated.... just wondering what anyone else felt with that size?

[mikeinsheffield]

Bl...dy MOT tester failed the rears today, even though we measured the depth at a good 2-3 mm across the tyre before sending it in..... perhaps his depth kit has governmental calibrations...??

Anyway, as per this post know I needed a full set of boots, so currently pricing up alternatives.

Am tempted to go Goodyear F1 Asymetric 2 as I have got on with two sets of the Eagle F1s before.... but looks like they don't do a Y rating in the 225 profile..... they do in the 235 profile though....

Which Toyo Proxes are you using? I assume the T1-Sport??

Anyone tried the Michelin Pilot 3 ...??

[mikeinsheffield]

Thanks for all of your comments guys.

In the end I went for the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric 2's in the standard rear and 235/ 40 size, as I got on with the previous generation Eagles. As the profile is much taller than the worn tyres, in the couple of miles I've driven it back from the garage the rubbing has returned!! But I lived with it last time and it was never an issue (touch wood).

Looking on interweb could have had the full set for £600, I paid a little over this to have them fitted at the garage doing the brakes and MOT for convenience...

So - all in quite an expensive Cerbera week last week... New AP discs at the front, pads, new tyres, aircon regassed, MOT - £1200! Ah well, at least all now done and should be OK for another few years on the tyre / brake front...