I purchased a set of new/used black rims, and have been parusing the usual sites for a set of 215/40/17" tires. In that search I recently noticed something I never kept much track of. The actual weight of the tire itself. Tire Rack lists this data in the descriptor fields of each tire.

I was surprised that in my search to find as much as a 5lb difference between tire manufacturers ranging from 17 lbs to 22 lbs. That is for a tire of same dimentions/profile/style.

Anyone have any input in this area ?

Does a heavier tire provide a better ride with light weight rims or visa versa ?

Other than weight reduction is there any difference / trade off's ?

Since some of us are into reducing the spun weight at our axles, thought I would throw this out there for our future considerations of tires.....

 

Part of the impact of weight reduction could mean a softer sidewall. I recently compared all season tires and one of the lighter options in my size currently has a rather lengthy thread on NAM about soft sidewall (Conti DWS, soft sidewalls? Any other feedback?) A lighter tire may not necessarily mean a better performing tire.

 

General exclaim UHP is a perfect example of this.

Alex