From: Albert T Cone on
Ret. wrote:
> Adrian wrote:

>>
>> Even though they clearly don't - or did you miss all the headlines
>> about "Snow chaos!" through the winter? <shrug> What do I know? I was
>> only using them to cross back lanes, pausing only to laugh at the
>> numpties failing to get out of their drives...
>
> *Some* drivers may have had difficulties - but in most cases that was
> more to do with their inability to drive properly rather than the tyres
> they were on. I told you about the woman in a brand new Insignia, in
> front of me at lights, who was unable to move off throught 3 changes of
> lights. I eventually gave up on her and pulled out and drove past her
> without difficulty on my 'Teflons'.

Your Federal FD1s? The ones which are in fact M&S rated, and are in
effect, winter tyres? Hmm, how odd...
From: Conor on
On 24/03/2010 19:05, Ret. wrote:

> Look again at that post. You still haven't figured out that I said
> exactly the opposite of what you 'think' I said.
>

I'm taking your approach to it.


--
Conor I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.
From: Albert T Cone on
Ret. wrote:
> Albert T Cone wrote:
>>> *Some* drivers may have had difficulties - but in most cases that was
>>> more to do with their inability to drive properly rather than the
>>> tyres they were on. I told you about the woman in a brand new
>>> Insignia, in front of me at lights, who was unable to move off
>>> throught 3 changes of lights. I eventually gave up on her and pulled
>>> out and drove past her without difficulty on my 'Teflons'.
>>
>> Your Federal FD1s? The ones which are in fact M&S rated, and are in
>> effect, winter tyres? Hmm, how odd...
>
> From Federal's web-site:
>
> "Formoza FD1 uses Federal's latest technology, TTIC, to take everyday
> driving to new heights in performance and comfort. High stability, large
> grooves for excellent water evacuation, maximized wet and dry
> performance combined with low noise levels provide for a comfortable
> ride. The Formoza FD1 was engineered with your everyday driving needs in
> mind."
>
> Note - "everyday driving".

Right, some marketing blurb, excellent. You can't have 'maximised wet
and dry performance' - there is an inherent trade off between the two.
They have large tread gaps, which are great for shifting water and
displacing compressed snow, but which give you a high void ratio and a
small contact patch. They have high silica compound, which is great for
low temperature grip, but a peak traction temperature of about 6C and
poor warm weather grip and a high wear rate on dry roads. Tyre design
is all about compromise.
From: Albert T Cone on
Ret. wrote:

> Like cars - there is always a compromise between handling and ride
> comfort. Cars that major on handling rarely have a comfortable and
> relaxing ride. Cars that major on comfort rarely have excellent
> handling. The trick, of course, is to buy a car that provides you with
> the traits that you desire - and motorists who prefer comfort are rarely
> bothered by the fact that their car cannot be thrown around corners like
> a 'sporty' car can. Similarly, motorists who want a 'sporty' car are
> rarely bothered by the fact that it seems as though their car is shod
> with solid rubber. Horses for courses.

I disagree with that, insofar as suspension design has a lot to do with
the ride/handling balance. Our Peugeot 306 both handles and rides
better than our VW passat. The 306 is probably slightly more softly
srung than the VW, but is vastly more nimble and agile and is much
'sharper' to drive.

Taken to the extremes, you are probably correct - you can't have the
absolute maximum of both comfort and handling with any conventional
suspension design, but the envelope in between is quite wide, and
certainly doesn't require a direct compromise between the two.