StuartA
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 05:08 PM |
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Wheel sizes
I'm sure someone has asked this question before but what sort of size wheels are best for a Locost. We are thinking 15" by 7" for the back but are
thinking this will be too wide for the front. Ideally I think we want 5.5 or 6" for the front, but these are pretty difficult to get hold of unless
you go to somewhere like Superlite and pay megabucks.
Oz do some very lightweight alloys that start at 7", but that would mean at least 195 and preferably 205 tyres (making the steering very heavy?).
Any opinions, or alternative wheel sources welcomed.... we are looking for very lightweight wheels, so your Halford alloys just won't cut it 
[Edited on 26/2/03 by StuartA]
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Stu16v
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 07:44 PM |
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IIRC you are building a BEC right?
Why 15's? 13inch wheels are going to be lighter still, and the tyres are cheaper. Not only are they lighter, but there is less rotational mass, so
the car will accelerate and stop quicker. And there will be less gyroscopic effect too, so thr car will change direction more readily. IMHO of
course....
Stu.
Dont just build it.....make it!
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 08:42 PM |
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but..........15" wheels get the gearing bout rite on a blade engined BEC whithout messing with diff's, in my case anyhow........
got 195 tyres on front, steering aint heavy
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andyd
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 08:43 PM |
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Yeah but 15" would look better 
But then I would say that 'cause it's half my car that he's building
We just want to know if 7" wide rims with say 205/50 tyres on would adversely affect "normal" (whatever that is) handling.
And I don't think that the difference between a 13" wheel at say 5kg and a 15" at 7kg will matter a great deal unless we are a) trying to get away
from Mr Plod or b) trying to keep up with Mr Ison on a track
I know Stuart will agree when I say that if I lost a few kilos then it'd out weigh the need for lighter wheel 
Andy
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andyd
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 08:46 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
got 195 tyres on front, steering aint heavy
Jon, I can't remember if I've alreay asked this but how wide are your wheels? A tyre fitter friend has told us that on 7" rims a 195 would be the
smallest we could go and that that may not be a good idea.
Andy
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 09:14 PM |
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I thought that as long as the rim width was not less that 85% of the tyre width you were OK
Anyone got any thoughts................
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 09:23 PM |
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not sure of width, they are Focus rims, 195/50 on front, 205/50 rsend, it does handle fine n steering feels good too,
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Stu16v
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 09:24 PM |
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Ok, 15's it is. Just highlighting the benefits of lighter/cheaper/more effective wheels.....
*mutter* but its your car....
Cheers, Stu.
Dont just build it.....make it!
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andyd
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 09:41 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Stu16v
Ok, 15's it is. Just highlighting the benefits of lighter/cheaper/more effective wheels.....
*mutter* but its your car....
Cheers, Stu.
Thanks Stu for the concern of my wallet status
Andy
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Viper
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| posted on 26/2/03 at 10:21 PM |
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I just bought my wheels, 7x17 running 205 40 17 (pic in photos) look the mutts nuts in my opinion but then i am biased...
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Rorty
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| posted on 27/2/03 at 04:44 AM |
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Mark Allanson:
quote:
I thought that as long as the rim width was not less that 85% of the tyre width you were OK
Not sure M8, I think it varies from tyre to tyre. It's an interesting hypothesis though. If it could be proven true, I'd certainly log it away in my
dark and dim recesses!
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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Fast Westie
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| posted on 27/2/03 at 10:56 AM |
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Go for 6x13 wheels with decent 185/60x13 tyres unless you have mega power then go for 205s on the rear
The car in front is a Westfield
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andyd
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| posted on 28/2/03 at 04:54 PM |
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Well we've paid our money and taken our choice.
Compomotive motorsport MO
6x15 for the front
7x15 for the rear
We'll be bootin' them with 185/55 on the fronts and 205/50 on the rears.
But they'll take 2 weeks to get here 
Never mind that'll mean we've plenty of time to make the car work 
Andy
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 28/2/03 at 07:52 PM |
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Rorty
I read it in a book by LJK Setright, it was 350 pages long and discussed nothing but tyres, the only bits I remember was the tyre to rim ratio and
that Fiat Pandas handle better on 155 70 13's than 135 13's. I had to read it for my city and guilds (that ages me a bit!). I passed with
distinctions, but forgot all the (then) irrelevant bits within 15 minutes!
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