Possibly interesting info (or trivia) on the effects of varying tire width. No judgments offered, just thought this was interesting.
Source of information is Dunlop Tire web site at
http://www.dunloptires.com/care/widthRatio.html“Within the acceptable range of rim widths, one can select wider or narrower rims than the measuring rim. Selection of a wider rim, from within the approved range, (T & RA tables) stiffens the sidewall and improves handling at the expense of handling (sic). If carried too (sic) extreme, either too narrow or too wide of a rim, it can result in uneven tread/pavement contact pressure causing uneven wear and potentially reduced traction, or increased vulnerability to bead dis-lodgement. Always check with your Dunlop dealer for permissible rim width options.”
“Remember - safe clearance must be determined for a particular tire/rim contender and vehicle.”
“Wider rims may offer some performance advantages over narrow rims. A wider rim increases the distance between the beads, which results in a straighter sidewall, which stiffens it. This results in quicker steering response and higher cornering forces.”
“Negatively, the straightened sidewall transmits more road shock to the wheel and suspension, placing greater stress on chassis and suspension parts and delivering a harsher ride. The straighter sidewall exposes the rim, making the wheel more susceptible to damage.”
“A narrower rim pulls the beads closer together, curving the sidewalls. This increased curvature allows the sidewall to flex more readily over bumps and absorb more road shock during driving. This offers a softer ride.”
Comment added:
From this we may infer that for a given make and model of tire being fitted on a 6x14 rim, and assuming the following sizes are available: 185/80R14, 195/75R14 and 205/70R14, then fitting 185s should result in the stiffest sidewalls; fitting 205s should result in the most flexible sidewalls; and the 195s should fall in between.
George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual
