Vredestein T-Trac tyres

[Geoff359]

I have purchased some of the above tyres, mainly following the experiences of some members, but having examined them, find they are quite rough on the wall area.

 

As I have wire wheels and will need to fit tubes (i have Michelin Airstop tubes), I notice that there are some recommendations such that tubes should only be fitted to tyres with a smooth inside.

 

Have other users of these tyres noticed the roughness inside the tyre (this is a moulded roughness not a fault in the tyre) and have they had any problems?

 

I don't seem to be able to get a sensible answer out of the supplier (Oponeo).

 

Comments would be appreciated.

 

Geoff masterman

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Good choice of tyres, I have these on my TR3 and am very pleased with them.

 

My thoughts on this....

The seller will tell you these tyres are designed to be used tubeless.

 

The tyre fitter will need to use lots of French chalk to ensure everything slips about OK,and the tube does not snag on the tyre inside wall.

 

Cheers

Peter W

Edited August 16, 2012 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[BrianC]

I've got T-Tracs on steel wheels on my TR3A - excellent tyres.

 

However, when buying tyres for wire wheels, always check with the manufacturer whether they are approved for fitting a tube.

From past experience, Vredestein, Michelin, Kleber and probably most other quality tyre manufacturers will reply. Send them an email and be safe.

Edited August 16, 2012 by BrianC

[Geoff359]

Thanks for the comments.

 

Vredestein have come back to me and said that these tyres are designed to be used with or without tubes.

 

Geoff

[badshead]

Had them fitted to a 4A with wires (since sold) plus new tubes and ran for 3+ years with absolutely no problem. IMO good tyres, I'd happily buy/fit them again.

 

Bill

[stuart]

Funnily enough I was having a conversation with Longstone tyres today and their opinion (and they should know ) is that tyres with 70 section and higher are safe to fit inner tubes to and I also specifically asked about the Vredstiens and they said they were fine with inner tubes.

Stuart.

[Geoff359]

Thanks Stuart. I too contacted Longstone and got the same answer as you (just as well!).

 

They've been fitted but my local tyre shop hasn't been able to balance them as they don't have the right cones, caps etc. (apart from the fact they didn't realise they were different from the more modern wires).

 

Now looking for someone in the Highlands who will balance them! Not easy.

 

Geoff

[TorontoTim]

my local tyre shop hasn't been able to balance them as they don't have the right cones, caps etc.

 

 

I don't have access to a lathe, but I've thought for a long time that these surely can't be hard to make in ally or something. Or, for the classic car specialists, have the made in nice strong injection-moulded plastic.

 

Is anyone who knows a LOT more about this than me able to confirm that this is do-able at a reasonable cost? If so, maybe we should lobby for it.

 

If the only practical way to make these is hand-turn them on a lathe, then maybe, with the appropriate measurements, it's a "special tool" that each local group could hold for everyone's use. Won't do me much good here, but maybe I could get a set made for all the MG/TR/AH owners in Toronto with wires.

 

Just a thought - it's been bugging me for ages...

[Lord Flashart]

I heard of a chap here who had a spare wire wheel adaptor and a knock on spinner machined so that the wheel could be mounted on a modern balancer. Apparently all it entailed was drilling (on a lathe) the correct size hole though the spinner so common cones would fit.

I have an old fashioned bubble balancer and it seems effective and my car regulary doubles the 55mph speed limit here in BC, all on private roads of course!

 

Paul

[Menno van Rij]

Yes, it was in this thread: http://www.tr-register.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=29641&st=60 page 4, posting #72, I think. The pics are gone, but you can send Roger a PM, I'm sure.

 

Menno