Lets Have A Bias Versus Radial Tire Debate/Discussion

[55 Fargo]

Hey all, been meaning to post this for a while.

I want to get a debate, opinions, facts, fables and stories of bias ply tires, and how they compare with modern radial tires.

I have used both, in my driving history, I of course believe a premium radial tire, and a well tuned suspension rides like a dream.

I have also owned vehicles, in my early driving days(1977-1979), that had bias ply tires.

Now my early cars ran and handles okay, they didn't need constant steering wheel correction, because of the bias ply tires.

Now I invite all to share there experiences on both tires.

Today I was reading an article on a 1959 Mercury Commuter Wagon in Hemmings Classic Car, car was absolutely in beautiful shape. In the article, the owner stated, when he switched the tires from bias to radil, the rid change was incredible, the car instantly stopped wandering all over the freeways/highways.

I really am partial to the look of the Coker Firestone whitewall bias tires, think they look killer, wish I had them on my car with red rims.

But I have Good Year Wrangler passenger car tires, the ride is decent, handling/steering not bad, consdiering I have a bit of slop in the steering gear.

I thought posting this could be a fun topic to discuss, something like Oil types/Brands........

Edited May 9, 2010 by Rockwood
spelling

[Flatie46]

I love the look of a biased ply but the radials really drive better. I think biased sounds better when doing a burnout. Nothing quite like that high pitched squeal they have. I want to put wide white biased on my 46 but I plan ondriving it alot so when the radials it has wear out I'll just have to decide then.

[1940plymouth]

I run Cooper 15" radials on my Plymouth, I had 600X16" bias tires for a few years, but decided to go to the Coopers as they are in my price range. The old Plymouth does handle much better with the radials

My thoughts,

Bob

[rockable]

A bias ply tire will turn in slower than a radial. You have to almost a/b them to understand what I'm talking about. When you turn the wheel, the radial responds immediately. The bias ply has to roll and take a set before the car starts to turn. This is most notable in high speed maneuvers.

Steel belted radials are much more puncture resistant. With bias ply tires, flats used to be a common occurence. With radials, it is seldom an issue.

Ride quality? It depends on what you like. I like the reliability and handling of radials.

Rock

[TodFitch]

I'm biased. But maybe if someone made tube compatible radials in a 5.25-17 size I'd reconsider.

[Flatie46]

I'm biased. But maybe if someone made tube compatible radials in a 5.25-17 size I'd reconsider.

I've radials that were made to look like the old bias tires and they did look good but when you got to the tread you could tell the difference. They were expensive, can't remeber who made 'em might have been Coker not for sure though.

[DLK]

I love the look of a biased ply but the radials really drive better. I think biased sounds better when doing a burnout. Nothing quite like that high pitched squeal they have. I want to put wide white biased on my 46 but I plan ondriving it alot so when the radials it has wear out I'll just have to decide then.

I have had both, and agree with the comment about how much more authentic the bias look, including the tread design. However, most of these cars did not have wide whitewalls from the factory so my Dodge would need blackwall bias ply to be truly authentic looking.

[David Strieb]

I run all season radials, drive my cars year around. I would never go back to bias ply. I like the ride and response of radials, and if I'm on the road I can get a replacement just about anywhere.

[TodFitch]

I've radials that were made to look like the old bias tires and they did look good but when you got to the tread you could tell the difference. They were expensive, can't remeber who made 'em might have been Coker not for sure though.

I've seen radials for the 16 inch diameter rims that were optional in 1933/34 and standard starting in 1935. But I've not seen radials for the 17 inch diameter rims that are on my car. In fact, the choices of tires of any kind for that narrow 17 inch wheel is pretty small.

[B-Watson]

Never had a car from the 1950's, but had a few Valiants and Studebakers from the early 1960's. All had bias ply tires when I bought them, although the seller of the 1965 Valiant I had through in a set of good Pirelli radials.

The 1965 Valiant had problems with the gaps in the road concrete and had a tendancy to wander. Changed to the Pirellis and the difference was amazing. No more tripping and wandering. Did the same with one of the Studebakers. The ride was also nicer, but then I prefer a firm ride as I keep the tire pressures around 32 psi.

Would never use bias ply tires on any car, unless I had absolutely no choice, which would probably be the case for any pre WWII car.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[BobT-47P15]

I had radials on the convertible for a time back in the 1970s, then

again for a while in the 90s.....each time it handled better and took

the play out of the steering. Harder to turn when going very slow or

stopped. I went back to bias ply a few years ago in order to get

the style of wide whites I wanted, but also got back the front end

play and loose steering feel. It now does the wandering and things

everyone says about them.

Am thinking of returning to radials, but hate to pay the going price

for the wide white ones. Don't want blackwalls, which are plentiful

and fairly cheap since they are used on most late model cars.

[aero3113]

I have never run with bias ply but I love my 700X15 radials

[PatS....]

My very first set of radials was on my first 49 Chrysler in 1972. They were factory blems and I got a good deal...same price as new bias. They had a 3 inch whitewall as well.

The difference was like night and day. That old beast rode, steered and handled WAY better. It also magnified any front end problems. That was a good thing really, I did the kingpins and tie rod ends and it made driving the old girl a real pleasure.

I have never purchased bias since and never would again.

[greg g]

My decision came down to two things projected use, and available funds. I went with radials. When we go somewhere in the car, it usually a hundred mile plus trip. So I want every advantage radial provide.

The one thing no one has mentioned yet is that radials tend to be less prone to lock up and track better under braking. And with stock Plymouth brakes, I believe radials provide a big advanage over skinny bias plies. With conversion to discs, radials should be a no brainer. If you have a ne plus ultra trailer queen show car put bias plies on it, as thier job is only to hold air be round and look pretty.

If you have a choice size wise, I believe for a car that is driven radials are the correct equipment.

[Edward Roberts]

My first car - 1966 Mustang - had bias ply that I later changed to radials. Night and day: went from handling like a freight train to handling like a logging truck. While the tires can make a huge difference, the rest of the suspension really needed to be upgraded to make a truly reliable driving experience. Reliable? I mean safe. Looking back, I can't believe my parents allowed me to drive that car on the highway.

My '46 Plymouth had bias ply but they were in such poor shape I never turned them under power. Love my new radials, though. It does seem to me that those with the later 15" wheels have a slightly greater number of options (thus more affordable) when it comes to buying rubber than those of us with 16" or larger. $650 later (not including spare) I might've gone with the smaller wheel if I was smarter.

[bobjob55]

you guys in the cold weather ,,, if my memory serves me right ... didn't the bias tires get flat spots when cold ,, and then smooth out after tires warmed up ??? thats what i remember about them ... I remember that my car shook for quite a few miles till they got warm .. and i was in California at the time ... of course ,, that was a long time ago ,,a lot of "JACK" and left handed twisters .. sober now ,,, for the most part ... things back then are a fog ...

[55 Fargo]

Thanx for all of the replies, still have radials, and will have in future, maybe 1 day will afford whitewalls.

I have thought about Porta-walls, anyone ever use them, if so, how are they?..........

[maurice wade]

When I bought my 47 P-15, it had 16'' bias tires. The tires were in great shape with good rubber. At speeds of 55 to 60 mph the car would dart, and wonder everytime I encountered a crack or dip in the road. I measured the height of the tire as well as the width, and went to town looking for a radial tire that was compairable in size. I found the Goodyear Eagle was almost exactly the same size. I bought 5 new eagles and put them on the car. I used the original rims with no tubes of course. The rims held air and have yet to add any air. Man! the car drove with no problems at all. No darting, shaking, or swerving. The steering is much easier than when I had the bias tires on the car. Now I don't worry about blowouts, and flats anymore. I have use the Porta-walls years ago, and look ok. They just need special care, no curb rub. M

[greg g]

porta walls ar problematic with radials due to having more side wall flex than bias plies.

usually if your tires have narrow whites or raised white letters there is a complete white wall uderneath. Folks hav had luck grinding off the black to expose the white underneath.

also an option

http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/other/tirepaint.htm

[Edward Roberts]

Maurice, I am running the same Eagle LS-2's (205/70r16) based upon your previous post and am very pleased with them. Thank you for posting that info.

[DLK]

Thanx for all of the replies, still have radials, and will have in future, maybe 1 day will afford whitewalls.

I have thought about Porta-walls, anyone ever use them, if so, how are they?..........

One important consideration with radials is not to exceed the width of the fender clearance in the rear. The prior owner of my Dodge put 225/70/15 tires on my car and there is a slight rub going around tight corners and you need a hoist to get them off to change them. He clearly did not read the conversion chart - he should have gone with 215/75 not 225/70 tires but they are like new so I figure I will stick with them.

[greg g]

I run 225 75 15 on the rear of my plymouth. I think a lot of rubbing issues are related to shackle bushings that allow the rear end to move laterally in turns. The only time mine rub is when the trunk is full with chairs, floor jack, tool box, road spare parts, tailgating stuff, beverages and 2 or three suit cases.

[P-12 Tommy]

I agree with most the people on here. I started driving in the late '60s and my first three cars had bias ply tires. I hated the jerking they did getting off the freeway, plus cracks and potholes. I noticed a big difference in the ride when I got radials when they came out in late '73. The only bad thing about radials is if you get a broken belt it waddles. I'll never go back to bias. My P-12 had them when I got it and when I can afford it, I'm buying radials for it. My 2 cents.

Tom

[Flatie46]

Aero, I really like the look of those tires. They really suit your car, that might be what I buy next time. Just as soon as my yardsale cheapies give out.

[BobT-47P15]

Thanx for all of the replies, still have radials, and will have in future, maybe 1 day will afford whitewalls.

I have thought about Porta-walls, anyone ever use them, if so, how are they?..........

They "might" work on our older cars that do not get driven real hard and

fast. I had some 4 inch wide portawalls on a 1970 Riviera with radials

back in the '70s. the car was driven daily and at speeds of 70 to 80 mph

some of the time. Due to sidewall flex, speed and size of the whitewall,

it would pucker up and want to slip out from the rim. finally removed

them. Perhaps an approximately 3" ring and slower speeds would let

it work as desired. All you can do is give it a try.