Can anyone tell me why smaller diameter wheels are better for snow/ice rain?
#2
Smaller diameter wheels will usually have a larger sidewall. However, the main factor I think has to do with the width of the tire. The wider the tire, the less it will cut into the snow or ice. Thus, you will have less traction and you will spin your tires. Narrower tires cut into snow better and are able to achieve better traction.
#4
Originally posted by punkdork
I know everyone says this, I'd just like to know the reasoning/physics behind it.
Thanks
I know everyone says this, I'd just like to know the reasoning/physics behind it.
Thanks
Dave
#5
well think of it this way..is it easier to shovel a path 1 ft wide or would it be easier top shovel a path 3ft wide? the narrow tire is the 1ft and a wide tire is 3ft. the tire can dig better. a lot of people think that a SUV w/ WIDE tires are better for the snow...well it's betten because most SUV have 4WD. but in deep snow the snow will clog up the threads of the tire and the tire will end up riding on top of the snow instead of gripping the road.
Dan
Dan
#9
Re: Based on this theory....
Originally posted by punkdork
I need to figure out how to fit bicycle tires/rims on my car. Anyone done this mod yet?
I need to figure out how to fit bicycle tires/rims on my car. Anyone done this mod yet?
#10
Ya... something that most people intuitively get wrong, is thinking that a larger surface area results in more friction..
it does not... Just something you learn in a 1-rst year physics course.. As for the comments about the pressure/inch, they are absolutely correct..
Think of nails... the thinner the nail, the easier it is to get it into a wall (neglecting things such as bending, etc.). Why? because you are concentrating the force on a smaller point.. Same thing with a knife.. A sharper knife (read : thinner edge), cuts better than a dull knife (read : wider edge)..
Snow tires, and tires specifically designed for slippery conditions (ie. rain), are something totally different [conceptually at least], and rely on intelligent thread design in order to maximize your traction in perilous conditions!!
it does not... Just something you learn in a 1-rst year physics course.. As for the comments about the pressure/inch, they are absolutely correct..
Think of nails... the thinner the nail, the easier it is to get it into a wall (neglecting things such as bending, etc.). Why? because you are concentrating the force on a smaller point.. Same thing with a knife.. A sharper knife (read : thinner edge), cuts better than a dull knife (read : wider edge)..
Snow tires, and tires specifically designed for slippery conditions (ie. rain), are something totally different [conceptually at least], and rely on intelligent thread design in order to maximize your traction in perilous conditions!!
#11
Also...
Everyone seems to have answered (correctly) why the width (track) of the tire should be narrower.
However, the question was regarding the diameter of the wheels. With smaller diameter wheels, there is a much larger tire profile, and therefore more flex to the tires. To improve you grip on snow and ice, you want the tire to be as flexible as possible, in order to improve contact and grip.
BTW - we had a major blizzard last night, and my new Blizzaks on 15" wheels performed flawlessly in getting me to work today.
However, the question was regarding the diameter of the wheels. With smaller diameter wheels, there is a much larger tire profile, and therefore more flex to the tires. To improve you grip on snow and ice, you want the tire to be as flexible as possible, in order to improve contact and grip.
BTW - we had a major blizzard last night, and my new Blizzaks on 15" wheels performed flawlessly in getting me to work today.
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