Best tyre combo (combination)

[blue65]

Hi. I have a 1965 Beetle (1641cc engine). (I've had this for 20+ years now)

I'm using Mangel steel rims 5.5 with Bridgestone tires 195/60 R15 - front and rear. Bilstein shocks.

Tyre Pressure is 22psi - 24psi. (update: now changed to 20 front and 28 rear - much better now).

The front is slightly lowered by 1 or 2 inches. I'm also using anti-sway bars in the front and rear. An anti-camber bar was installed in the rear recently because it was found that the rear wheels were getting their inside threads worn out.

I see that other people use a 145/15 tyre for the front and a 205/65/15 for the rear. Is this a very good combination?

My front suspension gets a bit of a rub.

[Sharp64]

People use 145s on the front when their cars are significantly lower and they are experiencing rubbing. Keep the most meat you can.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[buguy]

Agreed. I run 135's and 205/65 on mine but I am going to replace the 135 with a 145. Here is mine with the 135 and 205. I'm running a narrowed 5" beam and drop spindles too.

[Q-Dog]

If you like the way the car rides and handles and looks keep what you have. The advantage to running the same size tire on all 4 (5) wheels is you can rotate tires to compensate for uneven wear.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[blue65]

I notice people say they use 135s for the front. For the rear, the 205 60-r15s seem popular.

But they don't give the other information for the front end. So they use 135/60-R15s too?

[Sharp64]

No, the 135s that are run are 135SR15 which IIRC is typically known as an 135/80R15. Someone once said its truly a 135/83R15, but could have been typical BS you hear at times.

Again, the only reason people run tires that small on the front is if they are running into rubbing issues and need the clearance. If you aren't rubbing, leave it alone. If you are, I would consider dropping to a lower profile first before goig to such a small tire width.

my .02
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[blue65]

I'm getting this problem though on my front end.

[hitest]

135s were the choice in the early 80s- when all cars were underperforming- not just yours. They MUST run with tubes. You are rubbing because your tires were not made to fit a beetle- they are simply too damn wide. Compensating by going too small is not the answer.

135s have a contact patch the size of your palm. That means when someone pulls in front of you, slams on the brakes to cut into a parking lot, you get to skid and pray. Unless your pavement is vacuumed- you will skid. 135s may be appropriate for the dragstrip- but not in traffic. I'd go further and ask if all the grand folks on here who think 135s are the thing ever really drive their cars. I've got more, but I need to take my pills.
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[Sharp64]

What is the offset of Mangels? I ran 195's in the late 80's and didn't run into this issue. It was my daily and slightly lowered as well.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[Q-Dog]

Are they only rubbing on the suspension in the spots you show? That would be only when the steering is turned all the way?

Does a link pin suspension have adjustable steering stops like the ball joint cars?
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[buguy]

I have to agree. My front tires will skid in hard braking when its wet. Never happened to me so far on the dry though. Maybe my brakes just aren't that great either though!
I don't remember putting tubes in them either? But I put mine on 10 years ago so I really don't remember for sure.

[blue65]

[blue65]

[buguy]

They are uncommon and they are expensive for small tires. You might do a search for smart car tires here. They are as short or shorter as 135-145 but they are a little wider and they are cheaper. To me the 135-145 just look the best.

[rockerarm]

There is no "best tyre combo". Why? The VW type 1 is so versatile and because your statement doesn't include what your intentions are.
Your current combination tends to pattern a car specific to all around good handling.
The large rear (200mm +) with the narrow front (145/135) style tends to be drag race image which got absorbed into the Cal Look image/stance.

[Bryan67]

Link pin front suspension does not have steering stops. But with your front tires it will rub like that only at full lock though. I would just leave your front tires and put some 205/65`s on the back.
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If you`re going to do something, do it right.

[blue65]

[raycer60]

We all have our own "best tyre combo" that works for our setup. In your case, I believe the front wheels are the cause of the rub. IMO, you would need 4.5" wide wheels and a slight narrower tyre. The front wheel/tyres you have right now would probably be easy to sell and put that towards the new combo and solve the rub.
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59 De Luxe Sedan with grafted ragtop

[blue65]

[EVfun]

I've run 135R15 and now P145/65R15. The improvement in handling and braking with the wider, but slightly shorter, 145/65 tire was noticeable and welcome.
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