High Plains Mopars
08-09-2007, 03:35 PM
Looking at some web sites that offer racing tires in slick and treaded ocnfigurations, I've noticed there are still a fair number of bias ply tires out there. Heck, until the mid 90s, even the local oval track bull ring I ran on used bias ply tires.
What are some advantage/disadvantages to using one or the other for a)autocross, b) road course, c) street cruising?
A couple of my own observations; bias ply tires can be "grown" to varying diameters using pressure and heat. Bias plys tend to provide diminishing traction before they let go. Once sliding, they tend to recover quickly. On the street they follow ruts like a bloodhound. When cold, they have flat spots that take time to work out.
Radials are consistently one size and cannot change regardless of how hot they get, you can't "grow" em. Radials grip great until you break their threshold, then they are like being on ice. Once in a slide, radials can not be "pedaled" as easily to recover traction.They track nicely on even the worst roads. They tolerate a larger range of alignment specs before showing unusual wear. They are always round all of the time regardless of temprature. They ride smoothly.
Thoughts, input, opinions?
What are some advantage/disadvantages to using one or the other for a)autocross, b) road course, c) street cruising?
A couple of my own observations; bias ply tires can be "grown" to varying diameters using pressure and heat. Bias plys tend to provide diminishing traction before they let go. Once sliding, they tend to recover quickly. On the street they follow ruts like a bloodhound. When cold, they have flat spots that take time to work out.
Radials are consistently one size and cannot change regardless of how hot they get, you can't "grow" em. Radials grip great until you break their threshold, then they are like being on ice. Once in a slide, radials can not be "pedaled" as easily to recover traction.They track nicely on even the worst roads. They tolerate a larger range of alignment specs before showing unusual wear. They are always round all of the time regardless of temprature. They ride smoothly.
Thoughts, input, opinions?