Tyre choice limited for 14" rims

Now that my uprated suspension is installed I'm guessing that the 165R14 tyres on stock rims is a seriously limiting factor. The tyre size calculators tell me that 206/65 or 195/65 would keep my speedo calibration sensible but would this size tyre fit my stock rims and who makes such a tyre? Searches indicate that there isn't much to choose from in performance tyres if I stick with 14" wheels.

I really like the look of Cromodoras but they are 14" as well so they may offer a wider rim but still the restricted choice. Is there a similar looking wheel with Alfa stud pattern at 15"? - that would give a lot more options at 195/60 or 205/60.

http://www.classicalfa.co.uk/shop/category34_1.htm list 15” Super replicas; look like steel but site don’t say.
http://www.alfaholics.com/parts_by_c...s_and_hubcaps/ list 15” Minilites in various widths. Price seems somewhat steep
http://www.ebspares.co.uk/news32.htm have Series 4 wheels (15”), but I think they look out of place on early variants. Don’t know if they got same nut dimension.

It seems that 195 mm width is the maximum tyre without alterations to inner and outer wings.
Erik

185/70/14 should be near enough OE size, will improve your grip but not make the steering too heavy. I have 195/70/14 Goodyear GAs and they grip really well and look the part too (not being too modern and hi-techy) but they do make the steering heavy at parking speeds. Anything over 195 I think would look too wide and could give you clearance problems as well. In any case, check with one of the usual suspects first as I think the Spider doesn't have as much room in the arches as the GT.

I'm aware of the wheels available from the usual suspects here in the UK. I guess the 15" TZ/TI Super looks OK but I was just wondering what other posibilities there may be. Oh well...

...So, does anyone have any reccommendations for 195/65 tyres on 14" rims? Ideally fitting on standard rims and later moved to something nicer or is that too much to ask for?

Hi, I have recently fitted 195 65 14 goodyear to the the later s3? alloy 5 spoke wheels to my 1972 spider. They feel much better and lighter stearing. No clearance issues

I'd go along with Rick and recommend 185/70's. I think 195's would 'overtyre' the car. I've just aquired a set of Peugeot 205 1.9GTI 15" Alloys they fit the 105 cars and suit a Bertie well, not sure about the Spider though. Setting cost aside I would go for the Cromadora's, Yokohama A539's are a good Tyre for 14", but I am not sure you can get them now.

I'm seeking OEM Campy "Daytona" wheels, 6" x 14", only for appearances sake. Already have same size JIL that are alloys mimicking wire baskets (or maybe better to say - imitating BBSs that are mimicking wires). Tyres not needed.

Extra question for bonus points:

Some people seem to say that the 195/65 route is a little too much and would reduce the sharpness in the steering . How about 195/65 on the back for grip and 185/70 on the front for better response at the steering wheel?

Been considering this route. I too, would think that 195s will make the seering too heavy for parking, but would give that extra grib behind.
However, my back tires are alright for now, but will reach the sell by date eventualy.
Erik

I asked the same question on the alfabb and the concensus there was that mixing tyre sizes is a no-no as it unbalances the car, leading to more understeer.

Looks like the choice will be dependent on what's available in the two sizes. How about a Linglong LM A3 at £23.20 or for just another £1.10 I could step up to a Nankang CX668 OK, I do have more budget than that and Goodyear NCT 5s are available in 185/70. They work pretty well on my wife's Saab turbo.

I'm figuring a name brand tyre, in either 185/70 or 195/65, will be a step up from the Dunlop & Pirelli mix of 165s I have at the moment.

Originally Posted by Cosmo

I'm figuring a name brand tyre, in either 185/70 or 195/65, will be a step up from the Dunlop & Pirelli mix of 165s I have at the moment.

I would agree, although a LingLong sounds mighty tempting.

I'd go 185 myself. (I'm on 195/70s currently).

I still think your better off with 185/70's for road use. Mines running on a set of Nokian NRH2's at the moment, aquired for nothing from another AO'r and I can recommend them they do seem a bit difficult to find though I picked one up mail order for about £30.00. They seem grippy enough and as the name might hint they are a Finnish brand and are good in the wet.

[quote=VeloceMitch;906780 They seem grippy enough and as the name might hint they are a Finnish brand and are good in the wet.[/QUOTE]

Well Mitch, in Finland all drives studded winter tyres right now. As for more rain in summer than UK, I dough it

Erik

Erm, not sure of your point Erik, it's just i imagined that in Finland they would set wet grip as a priority over dry. I beleive Russia is a big market for them, which would also lend that thought weight.

After advice from Alfaholics, who sold me the suspension package, I decided to go with 185/70s. I managed to get Goodyear NCT5s locally for £232.

Now just waiting for some dry weather

Hi there - bought used set of Campy "Daytonas" last week, just got set of BF Goodrich Traction T/A 195/70 14 mounted, it's an H rated tyre (good to 130 mph) on a car that's currently topping out at 127mph. Great feel to these, they're unidirectional, rated "A" for traction and tread-wear both - great stuff, modern compounding! If that's "overtyring" the car, that don't make no nevermind, because it's what I'm used to. With 185/70 i could accidentally "chirp" the tyres just getting away from a stop, which is a sign of either bad balance or "undertyring", so I'm happy with the bigger rubber.
Now the question is this, was it actually the Daytona that was fitted to the Spider Veloce in 1986, or was it the "telephone dial" wheel? Having become convinced that it was the latter, I'm off on a further quest...

Originally Posted by dcpleland

Hi there - bought used set of Campy "Daytonas" last week, just got set of BF Goodrich Traction T/A 195/70 14 mounted, it's an H rated tyre (good to 130 mph) on a car that's currently topping out at 127mph. [ ... ] With 185/70 i could accidentally "chirp" the tyres just getting away from a stop, which is a sign of either bad balance or "undertyring", so I'm happy with the bigger rubber.

You've not only fitted slightly wider tyres, which would perhaps give you a small amount of extra grip, but you've also altered the gearing as it is a taller tyre. That will have an effect on how you pull away and your top end speed.

There is also the danger that a wider tyre causes more strain on the suspension and steering. Some people have noted a correlation between 195 and larger tyres and the occurrence of cracks in the steering box.


Cosmo