Bias or Radial Tires

[jkenprice1]

Hey all

New to the Forum and new to carting. The first thing I want to do is bigger rims and tires. I can't find any info on the pros and cons of bias vs radial tires. I run mostly on asphalt or grass. Any advice would be appreciated

[PaintMaker329]

Bias ply only have nylon tread cord where radials are steel belted. I'm always game for radials over bias ply. However, that's just me

[jkenprice1]

Originally Posted by PaintMaker329

Bias ply only have nylon tread cord where radials are steel belted. I'm always game for radials over bias ply. However, that's just me

Thanks for the reply. How dos the ride/handling compare between the two?

[oldnavycdr]

I think you will find a bigger difference between low profile and a more standard profile tires with the standard providing a softer/less harsh ride. The benefit of steel belted radials is much less prone to puncture. I've had to plug many a non belted bias tire due to picking up nails on the street.

[jkenprice1]

Originally Posted by oldnavycdr

I think you will find a bigger difference between low profile and a more standard profile tires with the standard providing a softer/less harsh ride. The benefit of steel belted radials is much less prone to puncture. I've had to plug many a non belted bias tire due to picking up nails on the street.

That makes sense. I wanted to go with bigger rims with 205/50-12's to keep the same tread width and sidewall height. I've always thought radials made a car ride smoother soI assumed a golf cart might too.

[BobBoyce]

Originally Posted by jkenprice1

Hey all

New to the Forum and new to carting. The first thing I want to do is bigger rims and tires. I can't find any info on the pros and cons of bias vs radial tires. I run mostly on asphalt or grass. Any advice would be appreciated

I prefer radials for traction on my daily driver EV, but I run the tire pressure up to near max rated pressure to reduce rolling resistance. Bias ply tires usually have lower rolling resistance, and sometimes are the only affordable opton for many on a budget. I posted about this recentl... you can buy Carlisle trailer tires on rims from WalMart that will fit E-Z-GO bolt patterns. The 4.80-12 are 19.5" tall and the 5.30-12 are 20.5" tall.

[jkenprice1]

Thanks for the info

[jkenprice1]

I'm down to either 205/50-12's or 295/65-10'2. I'm planning on visiting a couple bigger shops here in Florida to see them on a cart to make the final decision. Radials or no may come down to availability in those sizes.

[Mooncarter]

Originally Posted by BobBoyce

I prefer radials for traction on my daily driver EV, but I run the tire pressure up to near max rated pressure to reduce rolling resistance. Bias ply tires usually have lower rolling resistance, and sometimes are the only affordable opton for many on a budget. I posted about this recentl... you can buy Carlisle trailer tires on rims from WalMart that will fit E-Z-GO bolt patterns. The 4.80-12 are 19.5" tall and the 5.30-12 are 20.5" tall.

Are you sure about the rolling resistance Bob? Always thought that lower rolling resistance was one of the bonuses of a radial tire.

[PaintMaker329]

Radials are the way to go if it was my cart