redlight Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Hi,Is anybody using either Uniroyal Rainexpert 185/60R/14 or Toyo T1-R 195/55R/14 on standard 14inch Caterham rims?I would be glad to hear what you think.If you are using something else on 14inch rims and they are better than the standard ZV3's I would also be pleased to hear I don't need other advice on 13inch rims as I'm not going on that route thanks.Redlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulf 1 Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 HiI used Uniroyal Rainexpert tyres on my 1.4 Classic and found them to be very good in the wet and also in the dry.I was on 14" rims and ran them at 17PSI.They gave a very compliant ride at that pressure and plenty of grip as they are a soft rubber.Wear was very light as well.Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted January 18, 2017 Area Representative Share Posted January 18, 2017 I use Toyo T1R on 15" rims on my 21. They are ok, possibly optimum if you need or want a profile of 50 or above. When I made the decision in 2007 the tempting alternative was CR500 but they only came in 45 profile and I wanted 55. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I've used T1R's on 15" on the SV and they're ok.Not as grippy as CR500 in the dry but as good in the wet and better in standing water.Harder compound than CR500 so not quite as sticky in the cold weather.Having said that, they're in another league to the ZV3's so should be a huge improvement on those (I've had all three) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martym Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 185-60-14 Dunlop Sport BluResponse... check them out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I'm using the uniroyals. Had an earlier verson on my old Pug 106 a lightweight car and they were pretty good. A few comments on here and I bought a couple to replace Avons on the Caterham.I ran three sets of the Avons mine came on in 2003 and I found on pressures of 16 ish, I got good all weather grip - certainly didn't curtail my enjoyment of Alpine passes in summer, and never felt I was goning to slide off the road in the wet. Car used for commuting in all weathers, long distance touring trips, holidays etc.Bought the latest Avon a couple of years ago and slapped them on the back. Seemed ok. ish.Bought the uniroyals, put them on the back. Move the Avons to the front. And promptly came the closest I've come to crashing the car all by myself on the following morning commute. Understeered onto the other side of the road on a corner I had been taking with no problem for the last 10 years in all weather, at all times, with no issues. Luckily nothing coming the other way, and got it back just as the road ran out into grass, so no damage.Figured the grip difference between front and rear was to blame. Bought another pair of Uniroyals and normal order resumed, but with better wet grip. I like 'em.Anyone want a pair of little used Avons still with the moulding flash still on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redlight Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 Hi Bricol,Rainexpert3 or Rainexpert. They are different tyres! Many thanksRedlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I'll be facing this decision in a year when the 13" R888's are shot. Rainexpert 3 only come in a 185/70R13 rather than the 60 profile currently fitted.Yoko A539 is available in 60 profile - are these any good?Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyCliff Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 I'm facing a similar question. Currently have 185/60/14 A048's (no longer available as road legal tyres) on the car but the tread is right on the limit (they were close when I bought the car last year).I've got no experience of the car on 'road' tyres as opposed to the semi-slicks that are currently on there.Currently weighing up between Uniroyals, Nankang NS-2R or R888s. R888/R888R's are so much more expensive though I'm unsure that they're worth the extra money, and I'll have to wait another couple of months before I have the money for them. Haven't considered using a different sized tyre on there, not sure what effect it would have on the drive. Lack of space means I can't get a spare set of wheels for the track :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Rainexpert on the Pug.Rainexpert 3 on the Caterham.As far as I'm aware, the suffix 3 replaced, probably via 2, the suffix free Rainexpert. Different tread pattern, but both grip well. I had some form of real ditch finders on the Pug originally, bought from the local garage - something black and round. That used to want to spin on wet corners - thought it was due to the damage it had, but put the Pug on winter tyres one year and it didn't. Put the orignals back on - and it did. Replaced with the Rainexpert and it was evenly balanced again - for an 1100cc old car, it's hoot to drive on back roads ;-) Good grip. Certainly influenced decision to buy the 3 for the Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redlight Posted January 20, 2017 Author Share Posted January 20, 2017 Thanks Bricol,I think it's Rainexpert3 for me then. The confusion came because both are advertised but I agree the 3 has taken over.Many thanks for taking the time to reply.Best wishesRog Redlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Had the Uniroyals on the tintop, grip really well but had a much shorter life, 10K and they were gone, not so much of an issue on a 7 though,ISTR the TWI was only about 120 on them though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 7WotW - what does that last bit mean? TWI tread wear indicator - are they not the ribs in the valley of the tread which gives minimum depth? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedCat7 Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 Tread Wear Index. The higher the number, the longer they last. I think Zv3 are 300, T1-R 280 and R888R 100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 Thanks Redcat7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 Thanks - if 888's are 100, uniroyals at 120 should be pretty good.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadCat52 Posted January 22, 2017 Share Posted January 22, 2017 Presumably, the bigger the number, the better at clearing standing water/avoiding aqua planning? (Understand tread patterns will have an effect also.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redlight Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 Hi MadCat82,As I see it the TWI indicates the hardness of the rubber. ZV3 = 300, Rainexpert3 = 120, so softer rubber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted January 25, 2017 Area Representative Share Posted January 25, 2017 I'm perfectly happy for tyres to wear out, I don't want tyres which DON'T wear out.With the 21, T1-Rs don't wear enough, I had to discard them on age not wear.P.S. So what is the tyre wear index for Michellin Pilots? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Rat Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 Hi,Had the Rainexperts on till Boxing Day, they'd been on all summer after not being able to get any more A021s. Found them not quite as good as the A021 in the warm & damp of Wales. But better than the Avons.Boxing Day was a lot colder, little damp as well. Cue 180 degree spin coming out of a deserted roundabout at about 30 into the central reservation, fortunately only a kerb not Armco. Now, 4 new wheels, rear suspension & steering rack later I find myself back on ZV3s. Not a pleasant experience at all.Now what to replace them with...A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redlight Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 Hi Bone Rat,I think the common link between us is cold, wet, salt and I expect diesel. My spin was similar but I didn't hit anything! I had negotiated the roundabout and had just depressed the clutch to select third when mine let go. I hasten to add I was taking it very easily on my ZV3s. I now have Rainexpert 3 tyres but I'm going to wait until conditions improve before I venture out again, no salt and warmer weather. The Rainmaster 3 is much softer than the ZV3 so I'm expecting it to be OK for normal fast road use. I'd be interested to hear what you end up choosing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chalky7 Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Any thoughts on the new r888r tyres please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Rat Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 Hi,Collected the car from repairs and had have only now had a good look over it. The ZV3s have a load of depth left but the date of manufacture 2005!Think they'll be off pretty rapid - tempted to go back to the Uniroyals as they were good in summer & just not be a prat in the winter.Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted February 10, 2017 Area Representative Share Posted February 10, 2017 Sorry to hear about the spins. I wouldn't use tyres from 2005, they will be like PVC! So the hunt is on for something as good as the 21s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bone Rat Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Aww, but the they look so shiny! They take a really good polish, now like a set of round jackboots.I'm just impressed they lasted so long. Last year I picked up a 2011 MX5 with its original Yokohamas on & they were a mess, 6mm tread (6000 miles from new), deep splits all around the circumference. These seem pristine. ZV3 must be the tyre equivalent of the post nuclear war cockroach, indestructible!Will leave them on while it's laid up over the winter & get something softer. Suppose they may be of use if anyone wants them for drifting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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