tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width?

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Thu 18 Feb 2010 00:39
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - dada44
Looking to achieve the most quiet and comfortable ride.

Does anyone know what affect tyre size and width has on this?

thankyou
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Thu 18 Feb 2010 07:49
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - Andy P
Lots.

The wider a tyre gets, the noisier it becomes due to the larger contact area. However, the tread compound also affects noise - harder compund tends to be noisier but lasts longer.

For comfort, the lower the profile, the harder the ride.

On top of this, there's also the effect of temperature on the rubber - some take longer to warm up and so the ride takes a while before it settles.

Plus there's the suspension setup - a manufacturer will set up the suspension to work with the standard fit tyre. Fit something with a different profile and the ride characteristics can change.
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Thu 18 Feb 2010 18:20
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - dada44
What about diameter of tyre? With regards to comfort and noise Say, R15 compared to R16?

I have heard that smaller tyres mean less noise, but I would have thought the opposite..

Also, do you think a width difference of say, 195 compared to 205, would make much of a difference?
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Sat 20 Feb 2010 14:59
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - dada44
the tyres im thinking of are 205/65R16 vs 195/65R15 - different trims of Vauxhall Astra.

I will probably end up changing the tyres to something of a high aspect ratio.
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Sat 20 Feb 2010 16:22
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - George Porge

The overall diameter of the two tyres stated are totally different.

What are you trying to do? What make and tyre size is fitted now and which make, model and spec of car do you have?

If you have 16 inch wheels now and try to fit 15 inch wheels will they clear the brakes?

Stick to the current wheel and seek advice from a tyre dealer as to which tyre are best suited to your needs would be my advice
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Sat 20 Feb 2010 16:42
tyre: quiet and comfortable: size and width? - dada44
I am in the process of buying a car, and 2 available trims are available to me (life and club). I"m not too bothered about the trims themselves, and the price difference is negligible. However, the two trims come with different tyre sizes, so I am wondering the difference in noise and ride bumpiness.

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