Quote:
Originally Posted by CapriRacer
"Wider tires .... all other things being equal."
OK, here's the problem with that statement: ALL other things CAN'T be equal.
If you go wider and don't change the aspect ratio nor the rim diameter, you go up in diameter
and load carrying capacity.
If you try to keep the diameter and the
load carrying capacity the same (or at least within a small
difference), the aspect ratio and/or the rim diameter has to change.
Those 2 things can't be escaped from. So if you are trying to make a point about "wider", you
need to indicate which of those is being defined as "wider".
So allow me to demonstrate: Wider tires have a larger footprint, all other things being equal (as
best it can be done) - and it doesn't matter if "wider" = a larger diameter, or "wider" = same
diameter, but lower aspect ratio and/or larger rim diameter. Both of those result in a
larger contact patch.
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Apologies: Both my father and I always had issues with context when we were communicating with others, so it wasn't always clear what we were talking about. We also had zero concept of something called a segue, or, verbal indication that we were about to switch subjects.
When I say "wheel/rim" or "tire", 90% of the time I'm referring to the whole package.
Whenever I say "wider" I am referring to the lateral width of both tire and the rim its mounted to. "Greater or lesser diameter" is self-explanatory.
So in that context(!) let me ask you this:
We have presently seen, over the last twenty years, the following trends:
Tires: given the same overall diameter, sidewall height has decreased, and tire width increased.
Wheels: Both diameter and width increased.
I have an alternative vision of what could have happened during that same time period:
Tires: Sidewall height decreases, but width remains the same.
Wheels: Diameter increases, but width remains the same.
Benefits: Stronger self-aligning/self-centering force preserved. Weight concentration of a narrower tire/wheel package down through rain and snow is maintained.
Aesthetics: Those who prefer to see less sidewall and more wheel have their needs met.
I hope this clears up some of the terms I have been using.