16 inch wheels?

[NoHachi]

Quote:The brake rules didn't change so increase in brake size wasn't the issue

Big brakes dont fit in small wheels ;-) Usually rim size rules are formulated to controll brake sizes, not to keep an OLDSCOOL feel.

Quote:Does the tyre always stay in this perfect postion ? no the tyre gets flex etc . A wider tyre will equal more area that given the tyre angle change or surface change in contact with the tyre has more chance of contacting with.

Explain to me exactlty how the rules of nature change and allow the wider tire to make contact over a bigger area..This is simply not true, the contact patch is EXACTLY the same size..sorry its just simple physics.

Wider tires require a smaller slip angles change to produce cornering forces. THAT is what makes the difference in lateral grip, longitudal grip, stability and driving feel. Contact patch size has nothing to do with it.

Quote:I think time is unrelated to contact . The speed which the vehicle is traveling has more to do with time in that area of contact , in which more area will always equal more contact to a given rule of the vehicle weight effecting the pressure. Sure there is the fluid dynamics of water and lots of other factors like compounds etc.

This is pure misinformation..sorry. See the previous point

Quote: have no idea how at low speed at the mechanical grip level more area doesn't equal more friction. I know trying to park with 225/45/16 over 205/50/15 requires alot more effort

Like I said..wider tires need smaller slipangles to generate larger cornering forces. The opposite is necessarily also true. If you need to generate large slipangles (parking) large forces are needed (effort). This is NOT a function of area but of slip angles.

Quote: Maybe it might be time to just keep the thread open to more feed back from people using 16" than all this random information with no real showing of results.

Sorry..but I will keep posting if people spread misinformation on the forums. These myths have been running around so long that most people believe them. As an engineer, that just doesn't sit well with me. Sorry if I sound harsh. I mean no offence, have no problems with anyone personally, but