CYCLE WINGS

[A7 OOH]

Are Cycle wings all the same size- checking out the Caterham Site they do not give any options.

I currently run on 15" wheels with 195/45/15 rubber.

If I change to 13" wheels with 185/16/13 will I run into any problems? and what would be the benefits

[Nick Chan]

Certainly in the past there used to be two sizes of cycle wings from Caterham: 13/14" and 15/16".  The latter being quite a lot longer (several inches) than the smaller ones.  i have never run 15/16" wings and often mix between 13" Barmby's on 175/55 tyres and 15" 10 spoke wheels with 195/50.  

The longer wings offer a bit more stone protection to the sideskins/rear arches I expect and will cut down the rain spray but otherwise its an aesthetics thing I'd say

[A7 OOH]

Should have said 185/60/13

All sounds good Nick, so running on the 13" with 185/60/13 what will be the benefits, the overall diameter of the two sets are more or less the same so aesthetically the wheels will sit the same in the arches ( a diameter of 21.9" against 21.7")

The drivability and how the car reacts on the road will I get a  better ride if you know what I mean. 

[Jonathan Kay]

Have you decided which tyres you'd like to use?

Jonathan

[A7 OOH]

I have not given it any thought Jonathan, I would think a tyre for overall general road use open to advice.

[Jonathan Kay]

I'd probably start with tyres and tyre availability and legality. And for road use I'd put grip in the wet well ahead of just about anything else, including longevity and cost.

With that priority I suspect that there is a favourite out there and that the information is already in the archives but it's all over the place. Anyone fancy writing a Guide, or is there a Low Flying article that I've missed?

Jonathan (14" and end of line A 021Rs)

[A7 OOH]

Thanks Food for thought

Gordon

[Midas]

My car is fitted with the longer cycle wings as the car originally sat on 16 inch HPC rims. I moved to a 13 inch wheel with higher profile tyres 185/70/13 - apart from whether you like the look (high sidewall), there is no problem with the wings with the  change in combination.

I chose Uniroyal RainExpert 3 tyres - I previously ran Yokohamas A021s. Overall I have been happy with the ride and the grip from the Uniroyals. They do not give the same ultimate confidence as the stickier Avons or my original Yokohamas, but they are very capable across all the weather conditions. 

Here's a picture of my car with the combination - just so you can see what it looks like compared to your own car.

I went out yesterday for a spirited drive and they coped with the wet/cold/icy conditions on the Fosse Way.

[A7 OOH]

Thanks Midas

Looks fine, and with the 70 profile the arches  fill in well.

Like you a run the Rain Expert 3 in 195/45/15 format and have had no problems in normal and very wet conditions - however I do regulate my driving style to maintain grip

[chrisr1718]

Another one for the Rain Expert 3's. I think mine are 14 inch wheels. They seemed to suit all various weather conditions well, but like all cars, you need to make allowances in the rain. Also, you may need to experiment with tyre pressures to see what suits your driving style, normally 18-20 psi is a good starting point.