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Re: Tires for TR3B

To: thefryes@iconn.net
Subject: Re: Tires for TR3B
From: John Suchak <maxx@cybermax.net>
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 16:50:13 -0400
Cc: triumphs@Autox.Team.Net
References: <335F5DD6.5D8C@iconn.net> <335F8835.27EE@cybermax.net> <335F88A6.A5C@iconn.net>
Henry Frye wrote:
> 
> John Suchak wrote:
> >
> > Henry Frye wrote:
> > >
> >
> > > What are all you TR3 owners using for tires? Anybody ever hear of
> > > Hercules tires?
> > >
> >
> > My tire-guy pal thinks they're a "store brand" made by Kelly
> > Springfield, but wasn't too sure.  He cautions that a lot of the off
> > brand stuff is tough to balance, and will likely sing at speed.
> >
> > John
> 
> John,
> 
> Thanks for the input, what does he think of Cooper? I got a line on a
> set of Cooper Sports, $69 each in the 165R X 15 size.
> --



Bunky (my tire dealer buddy) did some checking for me and comes up with
the following:

1)  Hercules is a "private label" tire, at one time manufactured by
Firestone, may very well still be.  Decent quality, not a huge dealer
network.  Generally carried for "price-sensitive" customers.  Shouldn't
be too tough to balance, won't be an opera star at highway speed.  A
"fair" tire.

2)  Coopers are made by Cooper.  Another low-end line, he felt the
Hercules was a better tire.  "Cheap-o"

3)  Klebers (big with the VW crowd, and available CHEAP mail-order from
any of the myriad of VW custom parts houses...  Just buy a VW Trends or
Hot VW's magazine and there'll be 50 ads...) are actually made by
Michelin and are probably the best value of all of the tires you
mention.  Take a good look at load range and speed ratings, remember
these are sold mostly for VeeWee's, but on a TR3 you shouldn't be
exceeding either (at least not without a good tailwind!!).

There you have it, straight from a guy who sell's 'em...

Don't thank me, thank Bunk Wood, tire-guy extraoidinare!  (He even knows
how to figure aspect ratios and all that arcana!)

John

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