Crossplys or Radials

[autolycus]

Controversial, go for mgb wheels.. Much wider, better grip, cheaper tyres, better in every way...

Fine for MGBs, but no use for Minors: 4.5" pcd, iirc, cf 4"

MG Midget wheels apparently fit, but do check the wheel nuts. Rostyle wheels need different wheel nuts to older Midget wheels, which in turn need different taper to some other BMC wheels of the period. Also check thread diameter and form.

As for crossplies versus radials: I've just come back from my first wedding with radials on the wedding car, and its steering is utterly transformed. OK, not a fair comparison going from old crossplies to new radials, but it doesn't tramline, it doesn't squeal on roundabouts, and I generally felt far more in control of the beast. Absolutely wonderful. I do sometimes wonder, though, if some of the accidents in Moggies that we read about, particularly where people have managed to overturn their car even on straight roads, are due to too much grip: with crossplies it's harder to generate enough lateral force to overturn them.

Kevin

[Alex'n'Ane]

Fine for MGBs, but no use for Minors: 4.5" pcd, iirc, cf 4"

Nope, early minors, eg this lowlight, are 4.5" pcd.

[autolycus]

Right - sorry, I'm not familiar with the early cars. Same bolt or stud diameter and cone angle?

Kevin

[MarkyB]

I find crossplys tramline horribly, very disconcerting as the car seems to have a mind of it's own

[mike.perry]

After 35 years and over 200,000 in my Series MM I would go for radials every time but increase the pressures to 26psi minimum.

[youngcamper]

Hmmmm, It's all food for thought...

I suppose in light of the advice hear I'll probably go radials, but I'd like to drive a car on crossplys first

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Well it's nice to try them and see what you think - as it's not your only car you have the option of not using it.

[faversham999]

At 50MPH crossply were so Fair No cars are fitted with them new anymore . More diesel spills nowdays.best keep to 50MPH

[Beardyjon]

i can only comment from landrovers.... which was the landy handeled better on the x plies (more balanced and more progressive into a slide) but there was no where near the level of grip available which was fun in the wet to say the least!!!

word of warning on the radials too dont be tempted to go too wide on the rim!!! this ruins any grip level gains and spoils the handling. 145`s on the later rims are nicer to drive on than 155`s IMO

jon

[Biggles1957]

My 69 traveller is my every day vehicle and I am very pleased indeed with the handling and ride on my Toyo 155 radials Went all through the winter of 2010/11 on a hilly route to work each day and took great delight in burbling past loads of modern tin cans with no traction - Monty never slipped at all! I run them at 32psi all round and he's extremely sure footed. If I were you Will I'd certainly stick with the radials cos you KNOW you'll be tempted to check out the cornering ability of the Mogg's!

[lambrettalad]

Cornering ability

[youngcamper]

Well I'm still not decided on this, I've got a 4 door saloon on 155s and a convertible on 145s in my opinion 145s are far better.

the car that I'll be fitting them too is a 918 mog, so no ball of fire. surely it can't make that much difference ?

[mike.perry]

With a set of radials on your MM you will be able to keep your speed up through open twisty roads and clip the apex of the bends without losing speed

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

It is your choice but as I said you don't have to use that car all the time, so - crossplies have the period look and feel and the Minor is a car that can very easily be corrected should the back end kick out. Quite frankly in a sidevalve you are unlikely to get into trouble unless you start swerving like a madman at 50 MPH.

[youngcamper]

Well, rightly or wrongly the decisions been made. Crossplys it is!

Once she's back on the road I'll update you all on the differences in handling between 145s 155s and crossplys

Cheers,

Will