Re: IML: Bias vs Radials

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

I have "tried both". I grew up on bias plys, and switched to radials in the mid '80s. 

The ride isn't really "harsher" it's just different. Even with radials, the ride of a '60s Imperial in good condition is smoother and softer than the ride of a modern front wheel drive car.

I chose radials due to their handling improvements which to me add more safety. They also last a lot longer. I never got more than 25,000 miles out of the best set of bias ply tires. I have gotten as many as 45,000 miles on a set of radials on my '65 Imperial. It also improved fuel consumption on the highway by as much as two miles per gallon.

I have only installed radials on my torsion bar cars, since that suspension package was, in my ever so humble opinion, far better than the tires that were available when the cars were new. I have felt that I get the full advantage of the torsion bar front suspension by combining it with the highest quality radial tires.

Again, this is one owner's opinion, but it is one that comes from much experience with both tire types. I may soon try a new set of radials on my '55 as well just to see how they feel.

Paul

In a message dated 12/9/2004 1:27:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, Kenyon Wills <imperialist1960@xxxxxxxxx> writes:

>You asked about looks in your original question.
> 
>The Bias Ply tires are larger and more "correct" for the car. ?They fill the wheel wells better and give the car a much more authentic look as well as delivering a smoother more comfortable ride.
> 
>Radials are not correct for the car and will impart a harsher ride and sit the car lower to the ground because they are not baloon tires and are a smaller diameter. ?The steel belts in the radial carcass transmit road shock more directly, and the suspension was designed with the assumption that the stock bias ply tires would do some work (more than radials do) to absorb roadsurface irregularities.
> 
>The club archives are filled with vitriolic back and forth messages from people championing whatever tires they have found to be the best, so this may come down to an issue of aesthetics more than anything else. ?Take a look on the club website and do some research about what you think is the right look would be my advice.
> 
>Personally I chose bias tires with smaller white-walls because I personally felt that the big whites are overstated on a car that is already overstated (my 1960). ?
> 
>Most of the ads and color brochure on the site show the 1961 car with 3" white walls.
> 
>I have not heard much from others that have tried both bias and radial here, as most people seem to go one way or another. Having tried both, I chose the bias ply for ride and look. ?Besides a possible mileage advantage and small cornering advantage, I can't see any way that the radials out-perform the bias ply tires after all components are factored in, as I will not be putting 40k onto my car soon, and like the old-fashioned feel that comes with the bias tires. ?
> 
>This is my car with the bias ply tires mounted to it:
>http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Kenyon64/index.htm
>
> 
>Note the obviously poor performace of the radials in snow:
>http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/BobZubkowski/index.htm
>Also, consider what fitting radial tires will say about you to others:
>http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/KenGilbert/index.htm
> 
> 
>But seriously, check out these two contrasting pictures of what I "think" is a car on radials and a car on bias ply. ?The one facing left looks lower to me, and the wheels don't seem to fill the wheel wells fully. ?Maybe it's just me, but...
> 
>Bias Ply:
>http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Kenyon64/4-reg.jpg
> 
>Radial?:
>http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1964/Joe/coupe.jpg
>
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> 
>Ask me how I feel about disc brake conversions for all-drum cars sometime, too.
>
>
>Kenyon Wills
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