Steel belted tires

[jim-bob]

..was told steel belted tires are not a good idea for a smooth cushy ride on the street. Is this true?

[Stocker]

If so, I have never noticed it. Most modern radials are steel belted, no problem. You're more likely to get a harsh ride from large diameter low-profile tires -- the trendy, expensive tires that look like a rubber band stretched around a giant wheel.

Back in the days of bias-ply tires, nylon cords were known to flat-spot overnight, especially in cooler weather. Usually took a few miles or so to smooth out. Rayon cord tires had a plusher ride than nylon, but nylon was tougher.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by jim-bob

..was told steel belted tires are not a good idea for a smooth cushy ride on the street. Is this true?

nope..

[HO455]

I believe this story is leftover from the seventies when radial tires were new and the tire companies were learning. There used to be all kinds of marketing about polyester and "Aramid" corded tires being quieter and smoother than steel belts. I don't know for a fact but I believe that most of today's tires are now combinations of belt material to achieve the tires intended market and price point.

[my56chevytruck]

From what I've been able to find out, all tires now manufactured are steel belted and from what I've been told, Michelin is the only tire with continuous steel cords around the inside of the tire. All others supposedly are not continuous.

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by my56chevytruck

Michelin is the only tire with continuous steel cords around the inside of the tire.

Any good commercial tire has a full steel casing.

[scooterpimp]

Usually bias ply tires went with oil shocks(stiff tire soft shock). Steel belt radials ride with gas shocks.softer tire stiff shock.. so they told me in shop many moons ago.

[James the III]

Todays tires are made for long life (hard) and mpg (harder) .
And those tires ride hard.. ruff.. on vehicles not designed for them..
Most never take this into account when buying tires..
The compound to go 60-80-100k warranty tire over the older 35-50k tires..
same with the mpg.. less rolling friction .. not an issue with oem nanny controls..
but makes locking up the wheels easier on a non abs vehicle.. or even an abs vehicle that is older than 7years old.. as the newer ones are more refined..
This is also why todays all season tires are not truly all season.. if you have to deal with ice and snow.. all season performance tires only = it's not kill you in the rain.. nothing more..
and sadly because most drivers don't read the owners manual.. don't know this..
and drive in the heavy rain ,ice snow with those tires.. and it's not a good combo..
Every vehicle with performance tires on it factory, will state to get winter (snow) tires for the winter..

You can still get tires that are not high mpg type.. that will ride smoother.. but if you buy an 80k warranty tire.. it's going to be stiff.. not class "e" rated tires.. but stiff..
as the side wall is stiffer..
run flats are even stiffer..
new car owners don't worry about it, as the vehicle has 3-7 settings for ride type..
touring, sport, snow, race, track, towing, etc.. ride to stiff, turn a knob