Technical bias vs radial ?

Why not just get radials that look like bias, with the "pie crust" edges??

 

That would be great if they were available, but to my knowledge they are not. When Diamond Back starts selling their Auburn tubeless radials, I'll switch from the 'stones I'm running now.

 

I only go full-regimental when wearing the family tartan.

 

Thanks!
500 16 front radial
525 16 front bias
750 16 rear both bias and radial

 

I prefer the look of bias as well as the ease of steering with early steering boxes.

 

It seems like I've read a bunch about out of round tires. I've got Firestone bias ply front and rears. First drives out it shook like a son of a bitch approaching and over 40 mph. Took tires off and had em balanced. Needed a lot of weights. Newly balanced tires and car much better. But still feels a little out of balance in the front 60-80 range. This may sound dumb but I think I'm going to try switching the fronts to the back. I have been making it a point to do burnouts whenever appropriate ( closed course, professional driver , do not try this at home) and I think this has help to " round out" the rear bias ply tires. So put the " littles" on the back. Burnouts whenever appropriate and see if that help true up a potential out of round tire. While perhaps setting a new trend in the process. Bigs up front and littles in the back. Other than that I wouldn't put a set of radials on my A if you gave em to me.

 

Bias is the only way to go

 

Just to be clear I edited my initial post above and added (NO TUBES) in the Excelsior Stahl radials that I'm currently running. I would also like to add if you drive fast in flatland country on relatively straight and good roads the bias tires might not be too bad however in our Appalachian hill country you might think twice! I also said I like the bias Firestone tires on my 32 Roadster for local relaxing slow cruising however for this coupe we have bigger plans. Longer trips and speed! The Excelsior Stahl radials have an excellent high speed rating.

Check out the Rolling Bones comments on bias ply Firestones on their Bonneville 2008 trip page 4 , in fact they mention the HAMB site in this too. Whether you like their style of cars or not ( I happen too) you have to really appreciate all the very long trips and mileage traveled over the years!

Here are a couple more photos of my coupe with the Excelsior Stahl radial tires. I actually like the course tread look which will also be a benefit in heavy rain or rough road conditions over the bias Firestone tires. I also feel they have an old school look. What I don't like is the radial markings on both sides.

Enjoy a safe ride no matter what tire you may choose and really think about it do most people look at the tire brand? My ole school style coupe and the tires are normally so dusty its hard to see the letters!!

....old school hot rods with soul to be driven hard and put away dusty!" by Todd A. Kindler

32 Spitfire- High Noon Speed Shop

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...en-film-coming-in-2016.1002805/#post-11315636

 

Casny, kind of like that Chevy engine under your hood panels and a modern chrome gas pedal that both belong in a modern street rod!

32 Spitfire

 

This is a good time to suggest clicking on the search icon (magnifying glass icon in the header at the top of the page) and type in "tire truing" You will then see the thread, "tire truing/shaving sevice registry", I started some time ago that lists people offering the service and contact info.
Bias ply and radials are rarely round.

 

The common wisdom is that radials are superior in every respect does not hold water. The ONLY reason for the 21 inch rims and tires with 2 inch high sidewalls [ya know, the ones that look like they just rolled out of East LA] is that's the only way that a radial tire can be designed to eliminate the outrageous "squirm" which makes for a lot of understeer. Bias Ply tires have the side cord plys wrapped on a "bias"; the radials have no bias angle at all in their sidewalls cord and suffer from it. Hence the reason for the reduction of the sidewall height [to an obviously goofy extent] is an attempt to make them perform like a bias. But radials last longer....and they are the only thing that is commonly stocked at tire stores where Soccer Moms buy tires for their SUV that has 4 heated cup holders.

 

thank you appreciate it .you car is what a hot rod should be

 

Bias ply all the way! 4.50-16,7.50-16.

 

I have 7.50-16 radials on rear and Mt90 bias MC tires on front, handles great

Sent from my XT1585 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I have to agree here. My tube frame road race car works better on bias slicks than radial slicks and they last a day longer.

 

They look the same to my untrained eye. I would try each and see how you like it

Sent from my XT1585 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I have 3 cars with bias-ply tires and never noticed a problem, but also never drove an old car with radials. Guess I could say this is a matter of not having anything to compare to, I would like to "try" some radials just to see what I'm missing. Even with newer radials looking better I like the bias ply look better, but I have to say I bought a pair of Firestones (750-16) for the rear of my '30 sedan and hade to send them back, could not stand the look of the "rub strip/bump on the sidewall made the tire look one-sided from the rear.

 

Like these? Pete

 

With Bias Ply!

 

Depends.

 

Steve
I am guessing that t is a little known fact that thee is accompany called Interco, if one is familiar with mud trucks and off roading in general than you would be familiar with Super Swampers that are marketed by Interco. They also market a very nice line of bias ply car and light truck tires that are not off roader tires. That are a good tire and not a copy of an old tires, they are just the same bias ply tire that they have always marketed, they are seldom out of round and are very affordable. The 7.50x16 "mud and snow" tires that were on my Willys, now owned by @Moatc, cost me 100 dollars apiece to my door for example. They balanced well and are round.

Anyway for the bias ply crowd it is an avenue to consider. And like I said they do market car tires not just mud tires.

 

Works for me!

 

Got a link Beaner?

I went to Interco's web site and though I did find everything from AG tires to drag slicks I didn't see one that looked like a hot rod tire. Actually I didn't even see ones that looked like the ones you ran on the Willy's.

 

Search farm coop in Lincoln Nebraska. That is where I got mine, they have street tires because those farmers are still using them on their old heaps.

I have said it before and I will keep saying it until it sticks, farm stores are your best bet for affordable bias ply tires. They still have farm stores all over this country if someone is just willing to look. This is not aimed at anyone here just information.

Well I got to go out to play. I am accepting visitors if anyone else wants to play but it is not all going to be really hard core hot rod chit, life needs to be maintained too.

 

This brings up another point that's missed in many of these conversations. For the un informed when people are talking about bias plus as far as how they look they are talking about the tall skinny squared off tires in sizes such as 750/16.

This car is running bias plus but they are in more of a muscle car size which takes to conversation on a left hand turn. Because let's be honest, those are fucking ugly.

I feel this whole conversation was started with the intent of what looks better bias plies or the selection of bias looking radials.

They look close enough to each other to pass mustard with most people. To be honest at 15 feet they damn near look the same even on a fender less car.

Will the radial out perform? Probably.
Can you justify spending double or triple what the bias plys will cost you? Maybe not.

At the end of the day the tires size and proportions are going to be more important than there construction for your particular hot rod because it just badly needs some ugly scraped off It and the new wheels and tires will do that in loads.

I know your probably thinking what can of worms did I open with this thread!? You seem kinda new to the "traditional" hot rod side of things so it's understandable and likewise understandable that you'd question which to go with.

Personal opinion - every one has one- buy the bias plies firestones if you like them your set and if you hate them them your not out excelsior type money.

Have them mounted and balance right away by someone who will find the heavy spot in the tire and the heavy spot in the wheel and clock them so that you need the least amount of weight to balance them and then go drive the car.

If it has any weird vibration or bounce that it didn't have with your previous monster truck tires and you can't find any worn or lose steering of suspension parts return to your trusted tire dude or use the search feature on the hamb to trouble shoot weather you have a tire out of round or not. Maybe rotate them side for side and see if the vibration changed sides.

Once you know which one it is call Coker who you bought them from and tell them you have an out of round tire. It seems like if you do this whole process and find one out of round fairly soon after purchasing they will replace your tire for a different one. If you shelf them and try them on in a year you might not be as lucky.

Is what it is.

 

This fenderless A is not running bias plys. But it is also not running a wheezer motor. LOL

 

I can't believe my post (#3) has drawn so much ire. I thought the OP wanted opinions?

It's hard to believe my opinion could be wrong,or right for that matter. Lol

I was voicing an opinion,not speaking truth. To truly recommend a tire choice of any kind you need a lot more info than was supplied.

Btw,I run bias on my custom.

 

Don't take offense I really think this post would look exactly like it does even if you didn't post on it. Every one of these bias vs radial threads ends up being two arguments.

Performance and looks. And then people bitch for 15 pages about those two things lol.

 

yea don't get shook, if no one stuck their tongue at you or called you a bad name no one is upset with you. We are just having a heated discussion.

Ah hell I don't remember your post and don't have the time right now so I will just stick my tongue at you for the hell of it.

 

Well not sure what to do anyone one have any used sets for sale im about 90 miles outside of LOS ANGELES .mY HEAD IS SPINNING ..;LOL .