Widthwise, lengthwise, makes no odds. For a given weight of car the
pressure per square inch onto the snow is inversely proportional to contact
patch size. A narrower tyre of a given diameter doesn't have a longer
patch, it has a narrower one with the same length. Think also about the
different skid characteristics of skis and crampons.
PaulH.
----- Original Message -----
From: Max Heim <mvheim@studiolimage.com>
Cc: MG List <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 6:41 PM
Subject: Re: Going to look at a '71 B tomorrow
> Matt is right. Tire pressure and weight of car are the determining
> factors of contact patch size. Wider tires just make it a different
> shape; i.e. extended crosswise. But for the purpose of snow braking, it
> may very well be that you want the patch extended lengthwise, as it would
> with narrow tires.
>
> Matt Pringle had this to say:
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