Blockley tire wear

[Dave1]

Thinkin About ordering a set of Blockley tires for my 26 Tudor (450-21)
I understand that Blockley is fairly new in the tire manufacturing business.
Does anyone have an idea of how they wear?
My last set (Universals) likely have 8 - 10K miles on them and they are done. Pretty disappointing

Dave Eddie

[TXGOAT2]

Conditions of use have a huge impact or tire wear rates.
The condition of the vehicle likewise.

Tire inflation pressures must be maintained properly for good tire mileage.

So far, Blockley tires seem to have an excellent reputation.

Antique car tires wear at much higher rates than what people are used to today.
10,000 miles was considered good tire life.

I run tire pressure at 26 PSI cold on my 27 roadster with older 4.50 X 21 Lucas tires.

The rear tires wear faster than the front, but wear is even across the tread on all 4 tires.

If I didn't have to drive on very rough dirt roads, I'd probably run 28 PSI.

[speedytinc]

A friend has one of the first sets imported to the US. He drives his T to work on a daily basis & recently drove to the national meeting in Vegas from so cal. I saw the T after the trip. I couldnt tell he had any mileage on them. The still look new. 30 x 3.5".

Blockley isnt manufacturing the tires. He is closely overseeing their mfg in vietnam, using his harder rubber formula & tread design. Blockley is doing this out of the need for safe, quality vintage race tires for his own needs. In fact, this same friend talked him into making T sizes as well. This isnt a big money making operation, its more a service to the hobby.

They will save money over time with their longevity. IMHO.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

How many miles per year do you drive your T? If it's 2000 miles, you got 5 years out of your tires. How many years do you get out of your modern car tires? Maybe 5 years??? Personally, I would not have a problem with that.

[Steve Jelf]

From the Blockley website:

The New Blockley Beaded Edge Range

In recent times the "specialist" tyre suppliers advise that owners of Vintage, Edwardian and Veteran cars should avoid the use of Beaded Edge (Clincher) tyres for anything other than mild use, or perhaps just for standing the car on. And then recommend that for using the cars the later well base wheels and tyres should be fitted. This will be because none of these specialists can supply Blockley beaded edge / Clincher tyres and tubes, because we will not supply through them. Blockley supplies our Blockley tyres and tubes direct to the end user or garage / workshop. Many of these Wholesaler specialists also have their own tyre brands, designed by themselves, which is why they can advise they come up with this advice -- these people are self trained salesmen with no engineering background, and the tyres they get made abundantly reflect this !

At Blockley we disagree with the advice these so called experts give. The Blockley range of beaded edge tyres are nothing short of the best beaded edge tyres ever produced. Any car fitted with beaded edge (often referred to as Clincher in the USA) in period can now revert back to the correct fitments, and use them with total confidence, as many have now done, including ourselves.

There is more here: https://www.blockleytyre.com/page/block ... ny-origins

I gather that the company has been in business for a few years but their clincher tires are a fairly recent development. Their only Model T clinchers were 30 x 3½ until they added 30 x 3 more recently. "Everybody" says Blockley's clincher tires are much better than all the others, but I don't think anyone has had them long enough to give particulars. I intend to find out.

I put the beginning of my Blockley adventure here: https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG127.clinchers.html

[Allan]

Blockley have been producing tyres for vintage cars for many years, many of these for high performance cars used in vintage racing. They are not new to tyre manufacture.
They are new to clincher tyres, having recognised there was a need for a quality BE tyre as opposed to the rubbish on offer from existing suppliers. It all boils down to manufacturers/marketers working to decent quality standards, and having the tyres manufactured to those standards. If this can be done at similar prices to the other stuff, what does that tell you about that other stuff?

Alan from down under.

[JohnH]

The fact that they are easier to fit than the undersized Universals, and that I could buy direct from Blockley was a good start. Coming up to a year with mine.

[Allan]

They are certianly a delight to fit. A new club member brought his set of 5 to my place for a tutorial on fitting. He arrived with 4 bare rims and one with an older tyre still mounted. We took that tyre off first to check out the rim. I fitted 3 with his help and handed over to him for the last two. All up, it took just 45 minutes! They are delightedly pliable, fill the rims nicely, and the diamond tread looks like period tyres.

Allan from down under.

[Joe Reid]

I think the Universal spare tire with checking looks better than the Blockley. It replaced a blown Blockley. I have no idea what the mileage is but I heard the owner was not happy. Perhaps just the inconvenience. Sorry about the angle but the website only takes photos when I turn my phone horizontal.

[Jerry VanOoteghem]

I think the Universal spare tire with checking looks better than the Blockley. It replaced a blown Blockley. I have no idea what the mileage is but I heard the owner was not happy. Perhaps just the inconvenience. Sorry about the angle but the website only takes photos when I turn my phone horizontal.

Joe,

That Blockley blew out at probabaly less than 500 miles. The clincher bead ripped away. No, the rim was not sharp. Appeared as if the bead had little to no cord to reinforce it... just soft rubber. (Not my car by the way)

[mike catlin]

It was my car with the blockley tire.Really less than 300 miles,but had used the rims with other tires for over ten years. Will be contacting Blockley today for explanation of why this happened.

[Steve Jelf]

Sorry about the angle but the website only takes photos when I turn my phone horizontal.

If you're using equipment that allows you to rotate photos, try turning vertical shots 90º left or right, then back to upright before you post them. That works for me.

[Joe Reid]

So much for quality standards from Vietnam. I have heard of similar issues with their other tires also. I guess it varies by batch.