Front tire contact patch.

[dchicks]

Hi gang,<br />
<br />
I was looking at some photos, last night, when I noticed that there were two different types of front tire. One was what appeared to be a large motorcycle tire. The other looks like the automobile front tire that I'd become accustomed to seeing. The difference got me to thinking about how the front tire contacts the ground, though. If the wheel turns much like a motorcycle wheel, then it seems like the tire would be riding on its edge. If it turns more like an automobile, then there would be a larger contact patch (good for braking). I couldn't find any video that made it apparent which of these options was the right one, but I knew you guys would have the answer. <br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Dave

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>dchicks</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=15711#post15711" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">Hi gang,<br />
<br />
I was looking at some photos, last night, when I noticed that there were two different types of front tire. One was what appeared to be a large motorcycle tire. The other looks like the automobile front tire that I'd become accustomed to seeing. The difference got me to thinking about how the front tire contacts the ground, though. If the wheel turns much like a motorcycle wheel, then it seems like the tire would be riding on its edge. If it turns more like an automobile, then there would be a larger contact patch (good for braking). I couldn't find any video that made it apparent which of these options was the right one, but I knew you guys would have the answer. <br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Dave</div>

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</div>The Stallions that I have seen were all equipped with passenger car tires on all three corners and do not lean but rather turn like an automobile.

 

[dchicks]

Cool. That makes the most sense, to me. It just kind of threw me back when I saw a picture of one with a motorcycle tire on the front.<br />
<br />
Appreciate the feedback!

 

[silverdevil]

point your front wheel straight ahead and look at both sides of the tire at the ground.<br />
<br />
now cock the tire all the way left or right, does not matter which way, now look at the tire at the ground. you will find that the wheel pointing all the way to the left the left side looks like it is low or point it all the way to the right and you will see that the right side looks like it is low.<br />
it is not flat on the ground when turned, it is tilted one way or the other.

 

[dchicks]

Ah. Now that's what I was afraid of. Seems to me that you lose braking power because the contact patch shrinks. Does that also affect the wearing of the tire at the edges?

 

[BlueTrinity]

Your theory is right...for bias ply tires. That's exactly why radial tires were developed.

 

[ben721364]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>dchicks</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=15719#post15719" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
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<div class="message">Ah. Now that's what I was afraid of. Seems to me that you lose braking power because the contact patch shrinks. Does that also affect the wearing of the tire at the edges?</div>

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</div>Alignment can affect wear patterns. Generally speaking braking (especially hard braking to scrub off considerable speed) should be accomplished when the tire/vehicle is pointed straight, before entering the turn.