Just bought R500 wheels but don't know which tyres to fit!
Discussion
Morning all,
Some may remember I posted here a while ago stating that we have the 15" HPC wheels on the car. I got the impression that this was a bad idea and the best way to improve ride and handling would be to fit some 13" wheels.
So I have bought a set of 13" R500 wheels but they don't have tyres on them so that is the next stage. I could really do with the spec I need and also any feed back about what to go for would be great. We do some track days and some B lane driving so I guess we are looking for an all round tyre!
Any help is great fully received!
Thanks
Ed.
Some may remember I posted here a while ago stating that we have the 15" HPC wheels on the car. I got the impression that this was a bad idea and the best way to improve ride and handling would be to fit some 13" wheels.
So I have bought a set of 13" R500 wheels but they don't have tyres on them so that is the next stage. I could really do with the spec I need and also any feed back about what to go for would be great. We do some track days and some B lane driving so I guess we are looking for an all round tyre!
Any help is great fully received!
Thanks
Ed.
Depending on rim widths but assumining standard R500,and depending on power output,and what exactly you want from the car,and off course you driving style,Lets just see how any different answers you will get. But for me a series 3 chassis with + or - 240bhp road and track use Avon ZZRs in A60(road compound)are better in dry and poss damp wet than CR500s which would be good in the wet and then Kumhos in soft fronts med rear are close or better than the above, Then throw in ambient temp as well. Then the camber and toe needs to be set front and back correctly for whatever tyre choice you decide on. But whatever you decide on just enjoy it.
I'm another fan of the ZZR - by far the best I've tried yet. Not just grip, but also the lower wear rates on track. If the wheels you've just bought were set just sold on ebay, then they're the current R500 13" sizes. ZZR are 215/55 rear, 185/55 front, or if you decide on CR500 then it'll be 205/55 175/55. The different construction of the tyres give almost identical width in contact with the ground so don't be too concerned about the difference in width. As said, each tyre has it's own ideal set-up but they'll be OK on a standard settings while you get to know the tyre.
Thanks guys,
The wheels are the same as the ones which just sold on eBay.
The car only runs around 150bhp so not lightning fast but fast enough to be fun! Thank you for the sizes. Have you any experience with Toyo tyres? I think as I have no experience with the car on these tyres then I'll probably go for the cheapest recommended by you guys!
The wheels are the same as the ones which just sold on eBay.
The car only runs around 150bhp so not lightning fast but fast enough to be fun! Thank you for the sizes. Have you any experience with Toyo tyres? I think as I have no experience with the car on these tyres then I'll probably go for the cheapest recommended by you guys!
I used Avon ZZR's on track versus CR500's for the first time 2wks ago and the difference is very noticeable, even for a ham fisted newbie like me. They are extremely good, I used the road compound, not the softs and the wear over 150 miles (admittedly limited due to running in duties) was outstanding, really impressed. Also for my occassional passenger running a VX220 turbo as his track tool, he could believe how ard you could lean on them versus the 888's he run's, although I can not compare back to back on a Caterham.
I'll be running 2 sets of wheels, one with the preferred ZZR's and one for the CR500's for more inclement/wet circumstances.
I run 185/205 with a little more power, but reigned in to 4500 until after Donington and then Dave Walker in April....
I'll be running 2 sets of wheels, one with the preferred ZZR's and one for the CR500's for more inclement/wet circumstances.
I run 185/205 with a little more power, but reigned in to 4500 until after Donington and then Dave Walker in April....
Yep i missed out Toyo 888s in a GG compound looks similar to the ZZRs but better wear rates and not as sticky perhaps by a very narrow margin. If you have 150bhp and put ZZRs on those M B wheels (make sure you have the correct wheel nuts and washers)you will then shed several kgs of unsprung weight and you have basically the lightest wheel tyre combo available.You will actually feel the differance straight away. Get the geo set up ZZRs like plenty of Neg. And enjoy.
So would I be right in thinking that the Toyo's would wear slightly better, would make a good road tyre and a trip to the track wouldn't be out of their comfort zone?
What do you mean by 'M B Wheels'? And why do they require special nuts/washers? I've never seen wheel nuts with washers so I need to know this!
So choice seems like Toyo 888's or Avon ZZR's?!
What do you mean by 'M B Wheels'? And why do they require special nuts/washers? I've never seen wheel nuts with washers so I need to know this!
So choice seems like Toyo 888's or Avon ZZR's?!
These are ones you want:
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...
The washer type is important with these wheels as they allow the nut to rotate as it tightens without wearing the softer wheel.
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...
http://www.caterhamparts.co.uk/product.php?id_prod...
The washer type is important with these wheels as they allow the nut to rotate as it tightens without wearing the softer wheel.
Stick with Avons, tbh for the road i would use Cr500's as they are better in the wet than ZZR's. Although ZZR's are great in the dry.
All the offerings from Kuhmo, Toyo and Yoka are compromised, either by weight, stiff walls or too much grip ( I know this sounds odd but they do ruin the feel of the car)
If they are MB wheels (Mike Barnby Engineering) I would send them back first nad get them checked & refurbed. The i would stiock them on ebay and flog them and buy some decent Caterham 8spokes. They are both light and strong.
All the offerings from Kuhmo, Toyo and Yoka are compromised, either by weight, stiff walls or too much grip ( I know this sounds odd but they do ruin the feel of the car)
If they are MB wheels (Mike Barnby Engineering) I would send them back first nad get them checked & refurbed. The i would stiock them on ebay and flog them and buy some decent Caterham 8spokes. They are both light and strong.
Edited by James.S on Monday 18th March 13:30
James.S said:
Stick with Avons, tbh for the road i would use Cr500's as they are better in the wet than ZZR's. Although ZZR's are great in the dry.
All the offerings from Kuhmo, Toyo and Yoka are compromised, either by weight, stiff walls or too much grip ( I know this sounds odd but they do ruin the feel of the car)
If they are MB wheels (Mike Barnby Engineering) I would send them back first nad get them checked & refurbed. The i would stiock them on ebay and flog them and buy some decent Caterham 8spokes. They are both light and strong.
This +1All the offerings from Kuhmo, Toyo and Yoka are compromised, either by weight, stiff walls or too much grip ( I know this sounds odd but they do ruin the feel of the car)
If they are MB wheels (Mike Barnby Engineering) I would send them back first nad get them checked & refurbed. The i would stiock them on ebay and flog them and buy some decent Caterham 8spokes. They are both light and strong.
Edited by James.S on Monday 18th March 13:30
There you go loads off info, But could you please just confirm with the readers which wheels you have purchased so the advice for the correct wheel nuts is also correct as it is rather important. As i just assumed R500 wheels = Mike Barnby Magnesium wheels = hence the advice re a refurb = crack testing = sell them and buy a set of 8 spokes which your friendly tyre fitter would find more difficulty in bending a rim while tyre fitting etc.
Hi,
Right, I was going to bid on these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121079397997?ssPageName=... - I know these are not Magnesium as I asked him and he confirmed he had removed these to replace them with magnesium ones. Can anyone tell from the picture what they are? They are listed as 'Caterham'
I didn't win them in the auction but then I had an email from him saying he had another set which he was going to list this week, but that they were not is as good condition but are serviceable and I could have them for a price I was happy with.
I assumed (the mother of all f'ups!) that they were alloy caterham wheels.
I have also emailed him since we started this chat asking what markings he has on the wheels.
If they are Caterham alloy wheels then that is what I'm after as I'm looking to improve the car over the current 15" 5 spoke caterham wheels which I have been told are rubbish.
Thank you again for any help etc.
Ed.
Right, I was going to bid on these - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121079397997?ssPageName=... - I know these are not Magnesium as I asked him and he confirmed he had removed these to replace them with magnesium ones. Can anyone tell from the picture what they are? They are listed as 'Caterham'
I didn't win them in the auction but then I had an email from him saying he had another set which he was going to list this week, but that they were not is as good condition but are serviceable and I could have them for a price I was happy with.
I assumed (the mother of all f'ups!) that they were alloy caterham wheels.
I have also emailed him since we started this chat asking what markings he has on the wheels.
If they are Caterham alloy wheels then that is what I'm after as I'm looking to improve the car over the current 15" 5 spoke caterham wheels which I have been told are rubbish.
Thank you again for any help etc.
Ed.
Pheewww! I was starting to think this was going to be another one of those eBay buys which go wrong!
I see that no one has particularly said that they will be an improvement over the old wheels but I assume that's just a given.
We ( my dad and I) have agreed to get some prices for the Avons. I think I like the idea of the ZZR's but will they be a complete nightmare in the wet? I don't mind them being abit of fun in the wet but not dangerous!. We never deliberately drive it in the wet but you can't control the weather when you book a trackday!
I see that no one has particularly said that they will be an improvement over the old wheels but I assume that's just a given.
We ( my dad and I) have agreed to get some prices for the Avons. I think I like the idea of the ZZR's but will they be a complete nightmare in the wet? I don't mind them being abit of fun in the wet but not dangerous!. We never deliberately drive it in the wet but you can't control the weather when you book a trackday!
Damp they'll be OK with some temp, any standing water and you'll be driving through gritted teeth and will have an ass like a rabbits nose I imagine.
Others will be along shortly to put that into technical speak, but everyone I've spoken to about track driving says they're fine for damp conditions, but once you get some standing water, nightmare, just look at the tread pattern, there's no reall design to shift the water quick enough . .. For the road, where I don't drive my Caterham, but I do my Griffith 500, I've always kept away from track focussed tyres as I want the security of knowing the inclement British weather won't leave me with a 200 mile drive as described above. CR500's have fantastic grip in the dry and with 150bhp you'll easily light them up if you want to, but they're also very good on track and will shift water when needed.
Others will be along shortly to put that into technical speak, but everyone I've spoken to about track driving says they're fine for damp conditions, but once you get some standing water, nightmare, just look at the tread pattern, there's no reall design to shift the water quick enough . .. For the road, where I don't drive my Caterham, but I do my Griffith 500, I've always kept away from track focussed tyres as I want the security of knowing the inclement British weather won't leave me with a 200 mile drive as described above. CR500's have fantastic grip in the dry and with 150bhp you'll easily light them up if you want to, but they're also very good on track and will shift water when needed.
The ZZR are OK up to the point where standing water starts to be seen. Even then they are quite well behaved provided you respect their limits. Eventually you can't push hard enough to keep them warm and they go down hill rapidly. That's where the CR500s becomes the better tyre - but they just don't provide the same thrill in the dry. Personally, I've got a set of each but 95% time (even when wet) I prefer to use the ZZR.
Edited by DCL on Monday 18th March 18:18
Hi Ed,
The wheels you have bought (with appropriate rubber fitted - I have Toyo R888's) will be a revelation to the way the car sticks to the road in the dry!
When you say the 15" 5 spoke HPC wheels, do you really mean the 16" 5 spoke HPC wheels? If that's the case then I've never heard anyone say anything very positive about those wheels apart from they look good.
15" wheels can be pretty impressive with the appropriate rubber fitted too.
One thing that you may need to change is the front wings (assuming you are running cycle wings) since these come in two sizes, large for 15" and 16" wheels and smaller for 13" and 14" wheels.
The R888's are very good in my opinion and weren't too expensive.
All the best
Richard
The wheels you have bought (with appropriate rubber fitted - I have Toyo R888's) will be a revelation to the way the car sticks to the road in the dry!
When you say the 15" 5 spoke HPC wheels, do you really mean the 16" 5 spoke HPC wheels? If that's the case then I've never heard anyone say anything very positive about those wheels apart from they look good.
15" wheels can be pretty impressive with the appropriate rubber fitted too.
One thing that you may need to change is the front wings (assuming you are running cycle wings) since these come in two sizes, large for 15" and 16" wheels and smaller for 13" and 14" wheels.
The R888's are very good in my opinion and weren't too expensive.
All the best
Richard
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