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Tire question

Spanky

Moderator
Staff member
New member Shari Rogers asks:

I recently discovered that I need a new set of back tires. The only ones that I have been able to find in the right size are bias. Has anyone had experience with running large (33x21.5) bias tires on the rear?
Wondering about the rough ride & handling.
TIA
 
Aren't Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires biased ply?
 
Bias ply are scary on the rear, you'll be all over the road. I know, I used MTs for a while. What size radials do you need?
 
New member Shari Rogers asks:

I recently discovered that I need a new set of back tires. The only ones that I have been able to find in the right size are bias. Has anyone had experience with running large (33x21.5) bias tires on the rear?
Wondering about the rough ride & handling.
TIA
 
MT makes two Sportsman tires the S/T and S/R (Flame Tread), both are radial tires.

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T
upload_2022-6-30_20-58-41.png

Mickey Thompson S/R
upload_2022-6-30_20-52-40.png
 
New member Shari Rogers asks: Has anyone had experience with running large (33x21.5) bias tires on the rear?Wondering about the rough ride & handling.TIA
To answer the lady's question, I have 3 cars using 33 x 21.5 bias tires on the rear, with a cumulative total of about 30 years on the road. They ride fine at 12 lbs. pressure on the T-buckets, slightly more on the Model A, and work well on dry pavement. For wet roads I think the flame tread radial would be much better. It rarely rains here so that is never a concern for me.
 
The interesting thing about that question/ statement is it starts you thinking. Is my problem (whatever the problem is) related to my bias belted tires? Would radials fix that problem? Should I dump my old tires and spend $1,000+ on a new set of tires. What happens if the problem doesn't go away? I just spent a boat load of money with no improvement! At least you got a new set of tires out of it. The old ones were probably getting out of date anyway. That's always the question.
Just thinking or over thinking things!
 
Given the overall performance advantage of radial tires on the street, I'd go that way rather than the bias ply route. Just sayin' . . .
 
I suppose if you need tires, I would go with the radials just because they are the newer technology. If you're restoring a classic and want to keep it original, then bias belted tires are may be what you want. Buckets aren't quite like driving a Vette around a road course!!
 
Buckets aren't quite like driving a Vette around a road course!!
But that's exactly what we will be doing at the Nationals in Bowling Green KY. A 3.15 mile test track near the Corvette Museum!

Yippee !!!
 
I need two Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R 29-18r15. Could not find them anywhere and I called Mickey Thompson Corporate. They told me that they were taking a "Pause", from making the S/R, for 2022. She told me to call her back in January 2023!
 
I need two Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R 29-18r15. Could not find them anywhere and I called Mickey Thompson Corporate. They told me that they were taking a "Pause", from making the S/R, for 2022. She told me to call her back in January 2023!
I have a similar experience with Hoosier. My 17" weenies come and go on their list. A while back I got worried what if I needed a pair. I put a search on eBay and got a slightly used pair for a pittance.
 
Unfortunately MT quit making the 33x21.5 R15s. That is what I'm running now, however, I have found an issue with one of them and they need replaced asap. I have even tried going to 31x22R15, 31x15R15, and 31x18.5R15. both MT and Hoosier makes. None available :/
Nothing on e-bay either.
 
The interesting thing about that question/ statement is it starts you thinking. Is my problem (whatever the problem is) related to my bias belted tires? Would radials fix that problem? Should I dump my old tires and spend $1,000+ on a new set of tires. What happens if the problem doesn't go away? I just spent a boat load of money with no improvement! At least you got a new set of tires out of it. The old ones were probably getting out of date anyway. That's always the question.
Just thinking or over thinking things!
Varying tire pressure should at least clue you in on if you are in the right neighborhood. Tires sure are expensive, like most everything else.
 

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