ClioSport.net

Register a free account today to become a member!
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read more here.

why do 17s wreck handling



  Astra 1.9cdti XP


The rolling radius only affect acceleration!

It depends really from where you are coming from 15s 16s etc. And to day they ruin handling is not quite right really they do change the way a car handles though.

As you say there is less flex in the sidewall cos they sidewall is a lot stiffer. This reduces the amount of shock than the tyres can absorb thus making it a harder ride. Also if your cornering hard on an uneven surface then the car can be a little unpredictable mainly cos it can bounce more over undulations in the road, and there is more chance of the car losing control. Where as a fatter tyre can absorb these.

Because of the unpredictablity element that is being added by the bigger tyres this is why people say they ruin handling.=
 
  Was a Clio 1.8 16v


I thought grip round corners in the dry was very good with my 17s, not worse than my 15s, although it was a LOT slower and a harsher ride so i sold them.
 


They will also be more heavy than 15s. More unnsprungweight. I remember when I was younger, having Escort RS 15" with 195/45 on a Fiesta 1.1. It barerly moved forwards. 15" inch is the way to go! If performance is important.
 


hint people, its all in the relative geometry changes.

If you keep the same offset you move the tyre centre line inwards, affecting your SAI offset, decrease the offset you increase scrub radius.
 
  Astra 1.9cdti XP


Quote: Originally posted by BenR on 10 June 2003


hint people, its all in the relative geometry changes.

If you keep the same offset you move the tyre centre line inwards, affecting your SAI offset, decrease the offset you increase scrub radius.





Only if you have a different width wheel. If you keep the same offset, same width then you experience the above.
 


Quote: Originally posted by geordiepaul on 10 June 2003


Quote: Originally posted by BenR on 10 June 2003


hint people, its all in the relative geometry changes.

If you keep the same offset you move the tyre centre line inwards, affecting your SAI offset, decrease the offset you increase scrub radius.






Only if you have a different width wheel. If you keep the same offset, same width then you experience the above.


which generally happens with 17s..............

Larger wheels generally need less camber to work well and the camber you get with loered cars is generally too much in most cases.
 


My 185/55 tyres gave me far more grip on bumpy roads than my 195/50s - but I get better grip on flat roads with the later
 
  BMW 320d Sport


I wouldnt say they ruin the handling of say a car designed to run 15s. Its just different. Assuming youre running a wider wheel and tyre which almost always is the case when moving up to 17s, you have more outright grip but theres less flex in the rubber, so where before you might be squealing around a corner and just maintaining grip on 15s, the 17s with wider rubber have more traction but are more prone to snapping into a slide because they cant deform to stay flat to the road so easily. I guess you could say that smaller wheels on larger profile tyres are more progressive, you can tell what theyre going to do, whereas on low profile tyres you need to get used to when theyre going to slip.
 


thats grip properties, nothing to do with the handling.

you really cant lump it into tyre sizes and widths, there is far more going on,
 
  Astra 1.9cdti XP


Quote: Originally posted by BenR on 10 June 2003


thats grip properties, nothing to do with the handling.

you really cant lump it into tyre sizes and widths, there is far more going on,


Yes but your talking about offsets and widths etc. The question was solely about what difference does the size make (and weight!) It is possible to get a bigger wheel in the same width and same offset. Therefore my answer and nicks answer would suffice. The whole offset/width debate is not restricted to just bigger wheels!
 


ok.....if everything remained constant including width, ride height, CoG (pedantic i know), offset and everything else we care to mention then nothing much will happen.

but you could do the same as said by others by over inflating the tyre.
 
  Astra 1.9cdti XP


But thats not true something does happen! Its not better and its not worse but something does happen. Its just different and you have to get used to it!
 


not IF EVERYTHING stays a constant.........

anyway, this can get pedantic, and if were going into wheel weights and the offset of mass (if they are the same weight) from the spindle.......well, we ran heavier wheels in the wet.
 
  Astra 1.9cdti XP


But if you go bigger then not everything is constant the tyres are lower profile! That is the only thing you can guarentee on bigger wheels ;)
 


lol....i know.....hence the if....haha

but you could tweek the geometry to help the 17s handle as best they can.
 


phew!

good thing we arent invoved in the israeli/palestine peace conference........lol!

actually, nobody could do worse than them lot.....
 


and the numb hands from all the polishing! ;)

anything would handle nicely under you, stern but fair GR...........
 


heres a related question - Iv got 215/40 - 16s. if i get wheel spacers, should i put them on just the front or just the back or all round? im trying to reduce understeer.
 
  Astra 1.9cdti XP


Quote: Originally posted by SteveJJH on 11 June 2003

heres a related question - Iv got 215/40 - 16s. if i get wheel spacers, should i put them on just the front or just the back or all round? im trying to reduce understeer.
I would put them away in your garage nice and safe were they cant be used. Seriously dont use spacers if you dont need them!
 


Top