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I'm seriously considering purchasing these tyres for my set of 14' wheels to eventually be used primarily as track tyres. viewtopic.php?f=44&t=33705

I cant argue with the price, from the few things I've found on the tyres they are very well regarded and I have 1st option.

However, the tyre size is 175/55/14. The spedo running a bit slow is no real issue. I'm planning on running these as cheap track tyres when I eventually get out there rather than running my 205/45/16's. Are there any issues associated with running this size, or the fact that the tyres are slightly norrower than the OEM 185/60.

Promp responses are apreciated so that I can tell the seller that I'll go ahead or not.

Cheers,
Ben

Edit: They are actually 165's... Hmm, seems a bit narrow. Advice please...

I would take them straight away if they were 185's, i'm just a bit concerned.

Using http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

you get:

Stock Tire - 185/60R14 Search Tires Tire 1 - 175/55R14
Section Width: 7.28 in 185 mm Section Width: 6.88 in 175 mm
Rim Diameter: 14 in 355.6 mm Rim Diameter: 14 in 355.6 mm
Rim Width Range: 5 - 7 in Rim Width Range: Unrecognized tire size.
Overall Diameter: 22.74 in 577.59 mm Overall Diameter: 21.57 in 547.87 mm
Sidewall Height: 4.37 in 110.99 mm Sidewall Height: 3.78 in 96.012 mm
Radius: 11.37 in 288.79 mm Radius: 10.78 in 273.81 mm
Circumference: 71.43 in 1814.3 mm Circumference: 67.76 in 1721.1 mm
Revs per Mile: 914.6 Revs per Mile: 964.3
Actual Speed: 60 mph 100 km/h Speedometer1: 63.2 mph 105. km/h
Speedometer Difference: - Speedometer Difference: 5.434% too fast
Diameter Difference: - Diameter Difference: 5.15%

bensale wrote:Edit: They are actually 165's... Hmm, seems a bit narrow. Advice please...

I would take them straight away if they were 185's, i'm just a bit concerned.

Just means speedo is out even more.

Thanks for that, just found something similar on miata.net.

Would there be a relative lack of grip on the track compared to a similar tyre in a 185 or 195 size?

I don't see the logic in buying cheap rubber when that is what is going to keep you away from the tyre wall/fence/other drivers...

If the compound is good that's ok, but don't by cr@p tyres for the track.

My 2c.

Teh compound seems to be good. You wouldn't be concerned running that size?

Ben

When vehicle manufactures are specing tyres for a particular vehicle a few things are considered among others

Weight of vehicle

Speed rating

Purpose of vehicle

Contract price of tyres

As you can gather all these are considered in the equation and then a compromise is used to select tyres,
Mazda have a lot of nouse concerning design etc and they considered that the minimum required to fulfill the above is a 185/60/14.
I would recommend that you also consider that this be the minimum size tyre to use.
To my mind you really want the best tyres to track with rather a cheap tyre.
As Boags stated if you hit a wall or what ever those cheap tyres are going to be veeeeeery expensive!!!!!!!!

My2c worth

Terry

After a chat with my Dad I've decided to give these a miss.

They would probebly be fine and the overall width of the tyre won't be too different. However I think its safer to go with a more traditional size despite these being really good tyres.

If they were only for the road I would probebly buy them, however for the track i think i'll get something in a standard size. I also haven't a great amount of funds at the minute as I haven't worked for the last couple of months due to exams so its not the best time for me to be buying tyres.

Thanks for your advice guys

Ben,