Pirelli Cinturato CN36

[Cal]

Sorry for the anal question......
I'm considering replacing my 10+ year old tires with the Pirelli CN36 in the 185/70WR15 size. In looking at the specs on the 185 tire I noticed the actual section width is considerably more than a typical 185 tire. The CN36 185/70WR15 is listed as having a section width of 220mm or 8.66" inches.....that's actually wider than a lot of 205 spec tires. The Michelin XWX in the same 185 size has a section width 189mm or 7.44" inches and the Vredestein Sprint Classics list the 185 width as 188mm or 7.4" inches. That's a big difference.....is the listed 220mm correct for this tire, if so, why is there such a disparity? Any help on this would be appreciated.

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/pir...o-cn36-n4.html

[chris_seven]

I wouldn't be confident that this is the correct number as at this width they would most likely have an issue with the rear arch on a narrow car.

[mathieulecomte]

looks fishy, a 185 tire should be well.. 185mm wide.. if the CN36 was 220, it would be a whopping 35mm extra?

[HughH]

I am just about to replace my Avons with these tyres as well
the new CN36's are in the garage so i took a photo with a tape measure to show tread width - I know it is not quite the same as the section but it shows that they cannot possibly be 220 wide so it must be a typo
there is a photo of the 185x70 Avons on the car as comparison

[VintageExcellen]

The 185 CN36s are perfectly sized, I’ve bought a few sets and love them on a 69-73 car. Just buy them.

[Rich Lambert]

I've been considering a set of these. Does anybody have a picture of them on a SWB car?

[Dougal Cawley]

I am just about to replace my Avons with these tyres as well
the new CN36's are in the garage so i took a photo with a tape measure to show tread width - I know it is not quite the same as the section but it shows that they cannot possibly be 220 wide so it must be a typo
there is a photo of the 185x70 Avons on the car as comparison

Hi

Yes i don't know where that dimention came from, but you are quite right a 185 tyre should be somewhere near 185mm wide. I have just measured one on a 5" wide rim (because that is what i had) and got a width of 183mm and a diameter of 632mm (which is correct when you do the maths ((185mm X 0.7) X 2) + 380mm (15") = 639).

I have got this German tyre comparison article https://docs.google.com/viewerng/vie...ic-article.pdf which is great. sadly however they didn't include the CR6ZZ, probably of course because it is a racing tyre. However i have often speculated as to what will be better, it is never really black and white, you often find that one tyre is better at braking in the wet say while the other is better at cornering in the dry. One thing that really stands out is how much lighter the Pirelli is, which i would thing as it is so considerable would make quite a difference to lap times, because decreasing unsprung rotating mass is every racers goal. But as a counter argument the robust carcass of the CR6ZZ might give other advantages in the corners.

So i would love to hear your opinion!

[smedley]

looks fishy, a 185 tire should be well.. 185mm wide.. if the CN36 was 220, it would be a whopping 35mm extra?

This whole conversation seems to be swimming in the dark!

"Width" is being used interchangeably addressing tread width and section width. All 185 tires have a 185mm TREAD WIDTH...or very close.

All 185 rated tires can have a different SECTION WIDTH depending on manufacturer construction, pressure when measured, and mounted rim width.

The 185 Michelin, Pirelli, Avon, or Whamo will all have a 185 mm TREAD width, but may have very different SECTION widths depending.....

Back in the day I had 185 CN 36s on late 7s at all four corners on my '70T. It was lowered slightly and we did roll the fenders.....several of my compadres had 185 Michelins with the same set up.

Now I have Avon 185s on 7Rs on the rear of my '67S...again, lowered, no fender roll, narrow spring plate nuts, and a 21mm spacer.

Tread width...section width...different animals. You gotta know your numbers!

[sithot]

Section widths vary tire to tire.

https://www.lucasclassictires.com/18...p1857015n4.htm