Tire brands

[MCobb]

I'm looking for advice on what tire brand to buy for my '16 roadster with 30 x 3-1/2 demountable rims. I drive short distances around the suburbs, I don't expect to go touring.

[Scott_Conger]

What do you have now, and what are their condition?

The one car I drive the most has old Riversides on it which go back 50+ years. They are hard as a rock and have now outlasted 2 replacement Riversides (replaced with new when I was hit from behind and the tire was destroyed). My speeds are in line with what was considered normal and safe at the time the car was made.

"Yeah, but they have cracks!!!"

Ok, so does my replacement tire

and to the folks who say "they're dangerous!!!", I say, apparently you do not know that your friends are all driving 40MPH+ and new, flat tires come off of rims with regularity on organized tours...

maybe you do need new tires (and maybe you don't)

[Steve Jelf]

Most of the available clincher tires are made in the same factory in Vietnam and are of the same materials and construction. They are essentially all the same tire under different names. They are not great tires. Blockley tyres, also made in Vietnam, are advertised as higher quality and longer lasting. The least expensive tires for you initially (not long-term) will be Wards Riversdes from Lucas. Blockleys actually cost a few dollars less but the shipping from Britain costs a lot more than from Long Beach. The most expensive tires are Firestones. The high price is for licensing the name, not for better quality.

[Norman Kling]

The tires from Lucas are very good and long lasting, at least for me. Maybe not for a daily driver. I keep the car parked in a garage and only time it is out is when driving a short distance around town from time to time, or when on tours which can last up to a week with driving every day. They don't get cracks when parked in the garage. If parked in the sun for months on end they will crack, but I don't do that. Also, before every time I drive it I check and refresh the tire pressure. I have Riversides on the 22 and INSA on the 26 Roadster and Bedfords on the 26 Touring. Only ones which did not come from Lucas are the INSA which were Hecho en Chile.
Norm

[Allan]

Norman, apart from the different tread pattern your Insane tyres are well made and give good, long service. Treasure them. The others from the usual suppliers are nowhere near as good.
Allan from down under.