Club 80-90 Forums

I currently have 2 tyres at 205/70/R14 and 2 at 195/R14 C

Just about to book in with Blackcircles and want to check I'm getting the right ones before I click 'go'.

Im going to take the plunge and buy 4 new ones - I've heard you can also go for 185s? I was going to go for the 195 R14
I don't have alloys.

Still need advice before I order !

Black Circles are saying they only have a speed rating of 91,95 and 101 in 195/70/R14... someone mentioned I need 97R.
Can anyone help?
Could I just go for 205/70/R14?
http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Without power steering 205's will be hard work on the front.
Your rims need to be wide enough for 205's, standard steels AFAIK are 5.5 inch , you need 6 inch rims for 205s, just because you have them fitted doesn't mean its right.
There were 6 inch rims as an option with 205s
http://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre- ... calculator" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You need van load rated tyres to be legal because it's a van
Standard steels are 185R14C the C means it's a van tyre.

Also try http://www.camskill.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for your tyres.They were cheaper than black circles last time i wanted some..

And Oponeo. They're all over Europe, so you never know where the tyres are going to come from, but they've always arrived quickly and been very good value whenever I used them.

itchyfeet wrote:you need 6 inch rims for 205s

Not necessarily - it depends on the figures the tyre manufacturer gives. We've got 5.5 x R16 OEM Syncro steel rims on our van and have 215/70 R16 BFGoodrich All Terrains fitted - the manufacturer gives 5.5" as the minimum width rim suitable for these tyres.

With regard to the original post, 185 R14 is the size normally considered standard for these vans - these have a diameter of roughly 654mm.

The largest size you can physically fit to these vans without rubbing on standard springs is generally considered to be 215/70 R16 or equivalent (diameter 707mm approx 8% larger than 185 R14). HOWEVER, you wouldn't normally fit anything this big as your engine will be straining when accelerating or on gradients.

Generally the rule of thumb is to limit any tyre size increase to 5% or less to avoid a performance hit. 205 R14 is a little too over (5.8%) so perhaps too much, 195 R14 is a bit under (3.2%) and so should be fine.

I wouldn't bother with 205/70 R14 as these are 1.6% smaller than the standard size and so will limit your cruising speed.

Ok so Ive found 185/70s - i just found my Caravelle Instruction manual!
Blackcircles have lots of those but are asking for speed rating of either H or T - which should it be? The C stands for Commercial, right?
What about this link?
http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/m ... e=31415024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks all - ill have a look at the other places for buying tyres as long as I know what I'm looking for

185/70 R14 is even smaller than the standard 185 R14. The standard tyre is roughly equivalent to a size around 185/80 R14 or 185/82 R14.

Im confused now
So what do I need 185/80 R14? And what speed rating? and where does the C for commercial come into it when you search for something, for examplle, people are saying they get their tyres from Blackcircles, but theres no option to search for a C tyre.

I think a load rating of 102 translates to C
all very confusing I know can look at my tyres tonight

That link is for a car tyre, too small and not strong enough. Any tyre you find in 185/80r14 or 195/80r14 will be a commercial tyre and be suitable.

Blackcircles don't seem to include the C code in their listings - generally it's used to denote tyres intended for the commercial vehicle market.

For example see the same tyre on Camskill and Blackcircles

With the above tyre the 102 is the load rating - you want 97 or higher for your van, and the R is the speed rating - you want N or above.

In terms of size, the correct size for your van is 185 R14, which is generally understood to be 185/80 R14.

Thanks everyone
I've always gone to a used tyre place due to being on a tight budget, but I'm treating the van to new tyres.
Ive been in touch with Blackcircles (the reason I've chosen them over the others is that they fit them etc, as I have no means of fitting and storing my old tyres) they said that there is a little lorry logo to indicate that its a commercial tyre.
So they have a variety of 185/80 R14 tyres with an R speed rating .. but mostly 102 load, so I'm guessing im safe with those if i need 97 or above?

Yes a load rating of 102 is fine. Go with blackcircles, they're based in the Scottish Borders like me.