Post by Liteway on Jun 10, 2018 14:13:13 GMT -5
I wonder what criteria most are using to choose the size of wheels and tires on their trikes as this can have a large effect on handling/ride behavior.
When I converted my front end from ATV quad type to Can AM Spyder based, I weighed the replacement components and the bulk of the weight increase came from tires and wheels.
165/70 10s with a five inch rim width weighed 12 lbs.
165/55 14s with a five inch rim width weighed 24 lbs
I recently "upgraded" the wheels/tires on my VW Golf from stock, with the resulting weight increase as follows:
195/65 15s on a 6.5" rim weighed 36 lbs
215/50 17s on a 7.5 inch rim weighed 43 lbs
The change in wheel sizes on the trike was a big negative in the behavior of the front end resulting in less stability and much worse ride on bumpy roads, though there was no real difference on smooth payment. Too bad most pavement around here is not smooth. It's all about unsprung weight as a ratio to total weight, completely predictable.
If going from a 12 lb wheel tire assembly to a 24 is bad, I would imagine going to a 40 lb plus 17" wheel/tire could only have been much worse.
So, I am wondering how others on the site are fairing with their trike's when using tires and wheels designed to work with vehicles 4 times as heavy as their own.
BTW , the upgrade on the Golf had only minor effects of a slightly worse ride, slightly better handling. But man, it looks great!
When I converted my front end from ATV quad type to Can AM Spyder based, I weighed the replacement components and the bulk of the weight increase came from tires and wheels.
165/70 10s with a five inch rim width weighed 12 lbs.
165/55 14s with a five inch rim width weighed 24 lbs
I recently "upgraded" the wheels/tires on my VW Golf from stock, with the resulting weight increase as follows:
195/65 15s on a 6.5" rim weighed 36 lbs
215/50 17s on a 7.5 inch rim weighed 43 lbs
The change in wheel sizes on the trike was a big negative in the behavior of the front end resulting in less stability and much worse ride on bumpy roads, though there was no real difference on smooth payment. Too bad most pavement around here is not smooth. It's all about unsprung weight as a ratio to total weight, completely predictable.
If going from a 12 lb wheel tire assembly to a 24 is bad, I would imagine going to a 40 lb plus 17" wheel/tire could only have been much worse.
So, I am wondering how others on the site are fairing with their trike's when using tires and wheels designed to work with vehicles 4 times as heavy as their own.
BTW , the upgrade on the Golf had only minor effects of a slightly worse ride, slightly better handling. But man, it looks great!
