"New" BiasTire/"New" Radial Tire Differences

[H. L. Chauvin]

1. Many very positive, past Forum, road handling comments were experienced & posted after changing from "old" to "New" flexible BIAS tires; and/or from "old" to "New" flexible RADIAL tires.

2. Very few comments stated "if" there would be any other major commendable differences experienced in changing from say "NEW" BIAS tires to "NEW" RADIAL tires.

3. FWIW:

After asking same from Mr. Andrew Randall at Coker Tire, here are a few of his comments he and his other coworkers experienced:

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A. We have a lot of experienced guys around here at Coker Tire.

B. As a general consensus, most of us would describe the difference between a "new" bias ply tire (the 475/500-19s we build on the original molds, like the BFG you mentioned before) and the bias-look radial as a substantial improvement.

C. Some of the key differences will include substantial reduction to total elimination of the drift caused by the bias ply construction of original style tires, you will notice that there will be much less bump or bounciness to the ride if you have experienced this before (this includes flat spotting too, if the car sits around a bit), and the car will tend to track straighter as long as the alignment is good.

D. If transitioning from old bias tires to new ones makes a big difference, the transition from a bias to a radial makes even more of one.

E. There wouldn't likely be much of a noticeable handling difference between the 500R19 and the 550R19. The 550R19 may be pushing it a little. They are technically recommended for use on 4"-5" wide rims.

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Besides the many former positive, economical comments on how the radial tires last much longer than bias tires, and how most much prefer the radials, just hope this information can further assist anyone in the future to decide between buying "New" BIAS tires and "New" RADIAL tires.

[2manycars]

I would be interested in hearing what he would have to say about 21 inch radials on a model A.

[Ron Lachniet]

I just switched from 19in. Firestone WW to Coker 16in. radial WW. I have only driven the new tires about seventy five miles but the difference is significant. The new tires track straight on grooved country roads almost like a modern car. I will say that even with the stiff sidewall the radials squat more than bias tires and it is quite noticeable with the WW radial. I know what the solution is but my wife likes WW tires and loves to take two week trips in our Model A. Nuff said.

[C26Pinelake]

Thank you H.L. for enlightening us. Not the first time and I am sure not the last time because that is the kind of fine gentleman you are ! Wayne

[jhowes]

I didn't know anyone sold the radials (19") in white walls. Does coker?

[H. L. Chauvin]

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Hi J,

I called Coker some time ago & they stated their 19" radials were only provided in BW & at present there were no intentions to provide WW.

Last night I emailed Mr. Randall at Coker that I would post his Model A Radial tire information on Fordbarn ... no doubt if enough Model A owners expressed interest in 19" Radial WW's, they might change their minds and produce WW's.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

I would be interested in hearing what he would have to say about 21 inch radials on a model A.

The last I heard is 21" radial tires aren't being made.

Are they now available?

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

The last I heard is 21" radial tires aren't being made.

Are they now available?

21 inch are on the web site, but they are oversized and probably too wide for a model A wheel.

[CarlG]

Stock is 450-21
Coker shows a 550/600R21

Looks like that would be a bit of a stretch. However, there are quite a few here on FB that have said that they are running 550R19 tires on their 30-31 cars. Even that is a bit of a stretch.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Carl,

Your opinion that the Coker Radial 550-19 tires on 30-31 cars is a bit of a stretch coincides with that of Coker's Mr. Randall's above comment; i.e.:

"The 550R-19 may be pushing it a little. They are technically recommended for use on 4"-5" wide rims."

The recommended "minimum" rim width for the 500R-19 tires is 3.25.

If little road handling differences will be experienced between the 500R-19 and the 550R-19, it may not be worth paying an extra $72.00 for a set of four (4) 550R-19's.

Everybody has opinions to think about.