Tyres: Blockley, Falken, generic budget.

[HBG]

My local tyre place can do Falken (don't know which model) and a budget tyre. Blockleys are also available online.

All in 165/80R14 for my steel wheels, with tubes.

The Falkens and Blockleys are similar money.

What are your personal preferences?

Also, if the wheel is good enough to hold air, why not use it tubeless? After all, if you get a puncture, a flat inner tube isn't going to hold the tyre on the rim!

I'll have to take the wheels to the shop loose as I can't drive the car still - waiting for DVLA to open the envelope.

[lancialulu]

Best not to run tubes unless you know the tubeless tyres are relatively smooth otherwise tubes will get hot and fail ultimately (just when most inconvenient as sod would put it).

Steel wheels rust inside with tubed tyres over decades as water gets in round the valve aperture. Unless you know the wheels are sound (especially around the valve hole) it is best to continue with tubes.

I run Falken EIEX or something on my Mercedes and I like them. not sure I would run them on my classic.... Budget tyres are notoriously bad in the wet.... I buy my tyres from mytyres or similar, and use the Euro rating system to shortlist tyres.

Although expensive you cannot beat original equipment Michelins on a Fulvia. Longstone stock these in 165 14 80 for series 2. Series 1 14" 145 is restricted to the Pirelli Cinturato   

[HBG]

Thanks Tim. If my local guy will do it I'm tempted to go tubeless. The wheels have been refurbished and look great, though I've no idea what the internal condition is.

Did you use standard tubeless valves on the steel wheels?

I've read a load of old posts on this subject and it seems there isn't a consensus on tubes/ tubeless.

[Neil]

I have had Falken Sinceras on my S2 Fulvia, 165/80x 14" for a number of years, no issues with them at all with tubes too. Current running wider 2000HF Cromadoras with Michelin Energy tyres without tubes (175/70 x14 as they don't do a 165/80).  Those Falken tyres are fine on steel wheels in my opinion.

[RDG496]

I have had Falken Sinceras on my S2 Fulvia, 165/80x 14" for a number of years, no issues with them at all with tubes too. Current running wider 2000HF Cromadoras with Michelin Energy tyres without tubes (175/70 x14 as they don't do a 165/80).  Those Falken tyres are fine on steel wheels in my opinion.

Seconded, I have run mine with tubes without issue, seem to work fine in the wet too.

[HBG]

I'm back here again. I bought Falken 165/80 r14's last year and really rate them. However I need another set for some different wheels and find I can't get the Falkens anywhere.

What have you bought recently?

[julian67]

My S1 Fulvia steel wheels have 165x70x14 tyres and must renew them soon.

Can I fit 165x80x14 tyres?

Thanks

[HBG]

I understand that 165/80r14s were standard for series 2 cars. Series 1 may have been narrower.

[julian67]

But will 165x80xtyres fit on S1 steel wheels?

[Scott]

Hi Howard - Like Neil I've had the the 165/80R14 Sinceras (SN-807) on my S2 Fulvia with steel rims for a while now and they seem a decent overall tyre.
Falken's are usually pitched as mid range tyres with Michelin's at the high end ... but I can't give you a comparison but there might be something online. Personally I'd never opt for a budget tyre on any car I own.

Hi Julian - As to fit then the 80 vs 70 is the aspect ratio i.e. the sidewall height as a percentage of the width. Thus (165 x 80%) less (165 x 70%) = 16.5mm increased sidewall height. If this were the only tyre option you'd have to measure wheel arch clearance to judge a fit and be aware of the different stance of your car. Better S1 owners comment on that! But also bear in mind - and the main reason for me commenting - is that this would result in a 2 x 16.5mm = 33mm increase in wheel diameter which would have an affect on the odometer / speedometer.

[Running Board]

I sell Falken tyres every day , good quality , never have any issues , i have literally sold thousands of them , Blockley , junk in my opinion, fitted a couple of sets for people, always a heavy tyre and not the best to balance ( this is my experience of fitting them a few years ago , they may have improved )

[HBG]

Hi James (Morris?), can you get the 165/80r14 Falken Sinceras? This is what I have now and what I'd like for my new wheels.

Thanks.

[lancialulu]

I tried to get some Falken Sincera 80 ratio tyres last week and seems a world wide shortage...

[Running Board]

Hi James (Morris?), can you get the 165/80r14 Falken Sinceras? This is what I have now and what I'd like for my new wheels.

Thanks.

Just spoken with the main uk  importer of falken tyres , not available at the moment , no stock in the uk and no due date, possibly discontinued as not a common size anymore , just checked with all my suppliers and there are no "recognizable " brands available in this size only budget or Falken van tyres , I would suggest vintage or longstone tyres see what they have , probably be michelin x or xas available , if the car is s2 you can consider 175/70/14 which gives the same (roughly) rolling radius, we have just fitted some uniroyals to a s2 zagato in this size with no issues , James

[HBG]

Thanks James.