225/45/15, getting more or less popular?

In reply to KyAllroad:

I didn't, but I'm still thinking about it. Good-Win has free shipping on the Konigs, which I like better. That makes up some of the price difference.

I am torn between 15x8 and 15x9 wheels, given the sporadic availability of the 225/45. Should probably just get the 15x9 and go back to the stockers if I have to in the winter when the 225/45 becomes unobtanium. I like that the 15x8 gives the option of the 205/50, because there are a LOT of choices in that size.

This may be a stupid question, but, if I end up buying 15x9 wheels for my NB Miata, could I run a 205/15 on that wheel safely, if availability of the 225/45 becomes problematic? I read in the other thread that a 225 on a 15x8 isn't a great fit, but wonder about the reverse (205 on a 15x9).

Hoosiers yes, normal street tires, probably not.

Stance guys would do it, track guys would not

The 15x8 is the most popular wheel size we sell for the NA and NB for the exact reasons being discussed.

Personally, I bought 15x8 for my first track wheels for the 225 with the "I could go 205" idea. Now I have two sets of 15x9 instead and I'll soon have some 8s for sale.

My 15x9s arrived today. So cool!

A 225 fits fine on a 15x8. It will be faster on a 15x9, but there's nothing wrong with putting it on a 15x8 if that's all you've got. Hell, you can run 225s on 15x7s and it's still fine.

I wouldn't put a 205 on a 15x9.

kb58 wrote: I'd expect that Everything in 15" is slowly vanishing as tire sizes continue to grow. On the Locost forum there are plenty of people who argue that 15" is all you need and that anything larger is needlessly big. Yes it is, unless you can't *get* the 15" sizes you want for wide sticky tires. It's a problem that's only going to get worse.

competition tires in 15" should be around for quite some time ... a popular 13" size (from one manufacture only) has just now left the market ... and OEM base model vehicles are still being offered with 15'' tires

Keith Tanner wrote: We have a new player to the table: Kumho makes the V720 in the magic size. I'm not sure what's winning autocrosses these days. I assume Rivals.

I haven't seen anything from the new season ... but last yrs home run tire was the Bridgestone RE-71R ...

If I was in ST, I'd be getting the Bridgestones. But I can go full-on R comps.

Yes, the RE-71R is awesome, but since it doesn't come in this size it's kind of irrelevant. I should have added "what's winning autocrosses in this size".

Keith Tanner wrote: Stance guys would do it, track guys would not The 15x8 is the most popular wheel size we sell for the NA and NB for the exact reasons being discussed. Personally, I bought 15x8 for my first track wheels for the 225 with the "I could go 205" idea. Now I have two sets of 15x9 instead and I'll soon have some 8s for sale.

So you've got some 8s for sale cheap?

Duke wrote: If I was in ST, I'd be getting the Bridgestones. But I can go full-on R comps.

sorry ... I missed the required size ... and keep in mind that they'er coming out with new sizes this season ... though what I saw with just a cursory glance was some larger sizes (though I seem to remember the 225/15 (again I didn't catch the OP's required size)

Keith Tanner wrote: Yes, the RE-71R is awesome, but since it doesn't come in this size it's kind of irrelevant. I should have added "what's winning autocrosses in this size".

In this size the Rival S would be your best bet in "200TW" tires, easily.

GameboyRMH wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: Yes, the RE-71R is awesome, but since it doesn't come in this size it's kind of irrelevant. I should have added "what's winning autocrosses in this size".

In this size the Rival S would be your best bet in "200TW" tires, easily.

What about the "TW doesn't matter" tires? Unless I call Mr. Bergin and go with used Hohos, I'm looking at one choice that's within budget. And, frankly, the only other choise at any price is the Hoosier A7.

Proxes RR:

The Hankook Z214 used to come in 225/45/15, but it seems not to any more. I could go to 225/50 but I'd really rather not because I'm worried about how much fender work I would need to do. I could go up to 16s but 15s fit over the brakes and I'd rather not add the weight and expense if I don't have to.

I guess I could go with the Rival S, but I'd also rather not give up compound if I don't have to to meet class restrictions. Then again the RR is for road racing and I wonder how quickly a Miata can get heat into it during a 35-second pass.

I run the RR on my car. Never tried autocrossing it, and my car doesn't have much trouble getting tires hot so it's not a good test. But it seems to come up to temp pretty quickly.

the Hankook in 225/45/13 was my tire of choice for many yrs ... it, alas, is also one of the ones that are no longer available

now I'm going to have to live with higher top end, and less dig out of the corners ... the 13's really did help add "torque" to my CRX ... (apparent torque, even if not actual torque)

and I'm going to have to learn to live with MUCH higher costs .. which will mean fewer events ... not good

Keith Tanner wrote: I run the RR on my car. Never tried autocrossing it, and my car doesn't have much trouble getting tires hot so it's not a good test. But it seems to come up to temp pretty quickly.

At $750 a set for new RRs, I'm leaning toward getting Hoosier A7 takeoffs. I can probably get 2 sets of past-prime A7s for $750.

I love RRs for track, but they're not the right tire for autocross. The tradeoffs are wrong -- they cost almost as much as Hoosiers, they really aren't any more streetable than Hoosiers, and they're slower because they don't heat up as quickly. If you're going to put up with the issues relating to those kinds of tires, just buy A7s.

In reply to codrus:

I wasn't planning on streeting the RRs; I'll switch at the event. Hoosiers in that size are $250 each while the RRs are $185. However, I agree they are not made for autocross.

I actually just pulled the trigger on a set of 4 almost-new A7s from John Berget. They were 2015 Runoffs qualifying takeoffs. They're almost full depth and have a fresh mold date. They were about the cost of a pair of new RRs. So I think that will do.

I had talked to John last year but didn't end up buying anything. He remembered me. Looking forward to getting the tires.

Wheels ho!

Discount Tire refuses to work on 225-45-15 on 9" wheel in a thread from Miataland

Toebra wrote: Discount Tire refuses to work on 225-45-15 on 9" wheel in a thread from Miataland

Not surprised, it's the same CYA mindset that keeps Tire Rack from selling you a tire that doesn't meet your vehicle's factory specifications in every way so you have to tell them it's "for a kit car."

All that guy needs to do is find out where the stancebros are getting their tire work done and take his car there, they'll do the job without complaint...or they might ask why he's not running more stretch

According to the Tire And Rim Association, 9" is too wide for that tire. So it could happen occasionally.

http://www.us-tra.org

Keith Tanner wrote: According to the Tire And Rim Association, 9" is too wide for that tire. So it could happen occasionally. http://www.us-tra.org

It strikes me as odd that the industry body would mandate such a thing. It implies it is physically impossible to build a tire that could utilize a slightly wider rim than other tires. What if the sidewall construction is such that this makes sense? What if it's an airless tire, etc?

A local blingy wheel shop told me that no responsible installer would ever perform a mild stretch. Order a slightly stretched wheel/tire combo from tire rack and they want to be assured it will be used for off road purposes only.

Thank you, American Bar Association.

If the tire manufacturers would spec the tire for the wider rim, the installer would not gripe.