Wheels/Tyres

[In the shed]

Hello folks.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on my fast road/hillclimb mini and what tyres to boot it with.

I picked up a set of Mag Minilites in lovely condition (4.5") and automatically thought "O32R" although I have had concerns that the sidewalls are soft. I gather this may not be a good choice.

1. What is the best tyre for road use with 4.5's?

2. What is the best tyre for dry tracks with 4.5's?

My old '64 with about 70hp at the wheels used to be fun on 5.20 crossplies, I don't mind drifting around a bit but I'd quite like something with a bit more grip. I'd be interested to hear how the CR70s perform. It is a lot of money to spank assuming they don't wear well.

Also, how well do Avons wear and how to 032R's behave on wider rims (5").

I have resigned myself to not running arches.

[mk1rally]

I think you need to define best as this can be a very personal topic!!

Some people get on with certain tyres, some do not. Some would say the old SP sports were a good tyre (very progressive but medium grip!!)

If you want a good all rounder, reasonable price, good grip when warm and great feedback then IN MY OPINION!! you cannot go wrong with a A008. They seem to work very well on a 4.5. They have been around a while.

32R's are great in dry/damp conditions but I have found they can loose their grip if your hitting a lot of standing water (not always due to the tread patern, I've found it good in that respect) but they loose the heat very quickly.

In the dry, I found no real differnce between the Avon's or the 32's apart from the bank balance. Never found the sidewall a issue.

Just my opinion and trust me, I push them hard on events over the last 20 odd years.

Oh, what ever you get, give them 100 miles to bed in and try and get a set that has not been sat on a rack for 3 years!!

As I said, my opinion. Q a torrid of abuse "I've been racing on X34TY's for 2 months, out handled a dunlop slick on a 70 deg, dry day"

[In the shed]

I suppose the definition of a good tyre is where you stick at high speed around a corner, or slide predictably around a corner. I'm running an LSD if that makes any difference. I can probably sacrifice a bit of grip, if it makes a more predictable breakaway. The suspension is more race than rally.

I would class an aquajet as a going to the shops tyre!

[mk1rally]

Sadly, I remember them as being the bee's knees!!